How to Pose With Confidence: Posing Tips for Attention-Grabbing Brand Photos

You may not be surprised to hear that a lot of my clients are uncomfortable with the idea of having their photo taken. This is sometimes because of bad experiences in the past or a discomfort with how they see themselves in photos, but actually - more often than not - the problem is often from feeling uncomfortable about being the centre of attention in an environment they’re not used to.

Posing is an element of the photoshoot which can elevate these concerns. The idea that you’ll be asked to move or stand in ways which are unnatural and stylised often worries people - but it doesn’t need to be like that.

Thinking about your movements and actions to position yourself well for your photos should actually help you feel more confident. Standing tall, lifting your head slightly, and being aware of the light- these small things can not only improve the way you appear in your photographs but make you feel more confident and in control.

I’ve worked with so many incredible women who speak in front of large groups, run hugely successful businesses, and have amazing skills, but when I pull the camera out, they freeze and suddenly don’t know where to put their hands. Of course, when you’re working with a brand photographer like myself, we’ll give you some ideas, put you at ease, and hopefully help you enjoy your time in front of the camera. And I thought I’d share some of these tips here so that - whatever the situation - you can think about how you’re presenting yourself in front of the lens for the best results.

How Good Posing Transforms Your Brand Photography

Understanding how to pose isn't about looking like a model; it's about letting us see the real you - hopefully with confidence. When you know how to position yourself comfortably in front of the camera, something amazing happens: your natural personality shines through. Suddenly, you're not focusing on where your hands should go or if your smile looks funny; instead, you're showing us who you really are and communicating your values through your body language.

Good posing is the secret ingredient that helps your photos feel natural rather than staged. It's the difference between a photo that screams "awkward business headshot" and one that makes potential clients feel like they already know and trust you. It’s about confidence and energy, capturing your personality and brand in a way that helps your audience get to know you better.

The most engaging brand photos capture your unique personality and the energy you bring to your business. Your photos should tell potential clients exactly who you are before they ever meet you, but how will posing help you achieve that?

The Natural, Comfortable, Authentic You

Things to think about when you’re having your photograph taken.

Use Movement
Don’t be afraid to move. When moving, you’re thinking less about your body, and you’re more likely to present your natural movement and look. You can walk into poses, move your head, and try things with your hands if you like. This way, your photographer will be able to take the shots that really capture you.
Bring Personality, Not Perfection
You shouldn’t be looking for perfection in your photos; what we want to see is you. Those moments of laughter or inspiration, thoughtfulness or sharing, these show your audience who you are and what they’ll experience working with you. This comes most naturally from enjoying yourself.
Enjoy Yourself
If you can’t imagine you’d enjoy having your photos taken, you haven’t found the right person to take them. Your photographer should put you at ease and create an environment that’s fun. While the process may not be something you do often, you’re spending time with someone creative and focusing on the things that make you and your business fantastic - this should be enjoyable.
Stand Tall
While it may not seem natural at first, by standing with your feet apart, one foot slightly in front of the other, and with your weight on your back foot, you’ll create a natural, confident stance that looks dynamic rather than rigid. Hold your head up, and keep your shoulders and spine straight. A relaxed posture can create a hunched and rounded appearance so standing straighter makes a big impact.
Breathe and Reset
Between shots, it can be helpful to take deep breaths and shake out any tension to prevent the ‘zoned-out’ look and feeling that comes from holding a pose too long. Movement is your friend.
Holding Hands, Arranging Arms, Feeling Fabulous
Arms pressed against your sides can create unflattering shapes. Instead, you can make space between your arms and body by putting your hands on your hips, in pockets (with thumbs out), or gently resting on a something. This also helps you stop worrying about what your hands are doing - win-win!
Try Something Different
There’s nothing to stop you from using this opportunity to try something different. If
you’ve seen photographs with a style, setting or situation you love, talk to your

photographer about how you could capture that effect. Don’t try to take the same photo; think about what you like about it - the energy, lighting, movement, or expression. You can then use that to create a photograph that works for you. If your experiments don’t work, you won’t have lost anything, and you may create something you love!

Capturing Your Brand Personality

Your brand has a unique personality and set of values – your photos should reflect this. Have you considered what emotions and traits you want your business to convey? We’ve talked about this in previous blogs, understanding your brand with Sharon Davidson, Graphic Designer and looking at how your ‘why’ affects your business.

When you understand the personality you want to convey, you can consider how to get this across in your photographs:

For a nurturing wellbeing coach, you might use open, welcoming poses with soft hand gestures.
For a high-energy personal trainer, dynamic poses showing movement and enthusiasm are perfect.
For a luxury service provider, focus on poised, elegant postures that convey your professionalism.

Places and Props

Where will you have your photographs taken? While your workspace is a good place to start, it may not be feasible, or you may want to use more than one location to show different sides of you and your business. Think about the light and space these locations offer and how that reflects you and your brand.

You’ll then be able to think about how you use the location. Do you want to be seated, working, standing, or leaning? Should you include other people in your shots? Do you want some outside? Again, think about how you’ll use the environment to capture your brand personality - relaxed, active, collaborative, you decide.

It’s important to include props that represent your work – your laptop, everyday tools, personal objects, or products you sell. As well as giving your audience insights into your life and way of working, they give your hands something natural to do.

Here to Help!

As your photographer, I know you’re unlikely to be confident posing perfectly on your own. A photoshoot with me is a partnership where I'll guide you every step of the way.

Before we even pick up the camera, we'll talk about:

What makes you feel most confident
Which angles do you prefer
Any insecurities you have (we all have them!)
The specific brand message you want to convey

During the shoot, I'll help by making sure I give you clear directions, and I'll show you example photos on my camera so you can see what's working. Most importantly, I'll create an environment where you can relax and be yourself.

By the end of our session, many clients tell me, "That was actually fun!" That's the goal – when you're enjoying yourself, it shows in your photos.

Are You Ready to Boost Your Brand Visibility?

If you're tired of hiding from the camera or using outdated photos that don't reflect your current brand, I have the perfect opportunity for you.

The Visibility Boost Day Mini Shoot

On Monday 19th May, 10am-4pm

Join me in a beautifully styled house in North London for not just a mini brand shoot but a full day of:

Professional brand photography capturing you and your brand
Visibility creation tasks to clarify your marketing strategy
Intimate and fun networking with like-minded business owners
Delicious lunch and refreshments

You'll walk away with a treasure chest of creative content you can use over the coming months – all designed to help you connect with your ideal clients authentically.

Early-bird offer: You can book before Midnight tonight (Thursday 10th April )for just £275 (regular price £333)

BOOK YOUR SPOT NOW

Book Here