Need suggestions for posing books

<p>My wonderful mother in law asked me in advance what I wanted for my birthday. I thought a good asset for my collection could a good posing book or two. I've typically done photojournalism, and realize there is truely an art to POSING people properly. Posing for Bride and Groom, Bridal party, and even just in general is what I'm looking for. I went outside my comfort zone of weddings this weekend to take photos of children and found it suprisingly more difficult than shooting a wedding. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.</p>

<p>A post of yours from another thread:</p>

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<p>A #1 piece of advice, be sure to SPELL CHECK and GRAMMAR CHECK. You misspelled expanding in your post above. I actually had one person who booked me because she said it was the only site she saw that didn't have typos that really explained things well. Wouldn't have been my first way to choose a photographer, but she said to me, if you don't have an eye for detail on typos, how much attention are you paying to my photos and editing them. The bride said it showed I really cared about the product I was putting forth.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You may want to heed your advice.</p>

<p>ok, ok, I didn't spell check this post. I did spell check and have a boat load of people check over my website though. I was just using it as a point. I will be the first person to admit I'm a horrible speller! But yes... it should read:</p>

<p >My wonderful <strong >mother-in-law</strong> asked me in advance what I wanted for my birthday. I thought a good asset for my collection could a good posing book or two. I've typically done photojournalism, and realize there is <strong >truly</strong> an art to POSING people properly. Posing for Bride and Groom, Bridal party, and even just in general is what I'm looking for. I went outside my comfort zone of weddings this weekend to take photos of children and found it <strong >surprisingly</strong> more difficult than shooting a wedding. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.</p>

<p>Go to Amazon and do a search using the words "wedding posing". There is also a section on basic posing in Steve Sint's book on weddings. You can also use the search words "portrait posing", because basic posing of the human body is applicable at weddings. Jeff Smith has a number of books out on posing. It is just that wedding specific posing won't be covered. You can also buy sets of 'flash cards' or cheat sheets by various photographers to take with you on shoots.</p>

<p>I haven't seen a totally comprehensive book on posing just for weddings, which takes one from basic posing to new and trendy posing or posing methods. You are going to have to piece things together, but with a basic knowledge of posing, you should also be able to put your own 'stamp' on posing. Looking at bridal magazines is also very educational, if you already know what the basics are.</p>

<p>Check this out:<br>

http://jzportraits.home.att.net/</p>

<p>Old pics from the 1970's. <br>

Classical Style.</p>

<p>Can't beat the price.</p>

 

<p>Jerry Ghionis sells pretty cool pic pockets. Also, check this out: http://photographerstoolkit.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1</p>

<p>I have to agree with Nadine. Well, I don't "have to" but I certainly will!</p>

<p>I once looked for posing books in general and, while there are some decent books out there, I found that none of them really did a good job with what I needed to do - pose a model (or a couple) in a way that makes sense for their surroundings.</p>

<p>Virtually every posing book or guide has a picture of a woman, man, child, couple... in a pose against a blank backdrop. The problem, for me, <em>is that the success of a pose depends entirely upon the context within which it is struck</em>. You can take one pose and have it look terrible and make no sense but, put the model in a different setting and have her pose the same way and it could be a killer shot.</p>

<p>So, as Nadine points out - buy bridal magazines and study them. Don't just look at the pictures and say "gee, that one works" but find multiple shots that are similar and figure out what the commonality it between them. Do the same for shots you think are weak. Buy fashion magazines and do the same. Tear out the pages and create your own posing guide and include your own notes about why you think it works.</p>

<p>That's how you start to put your own stamp on shots.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>There is the "look book" which is pretty good. And design aglow just came out with a posing guide as well.</p>

<p>Bill, that link is AMAZING! Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Have any of you used any of these, did you find any particularly helpful?</p>

<ul>

<li>500 Poses for Photographing Brides: A Visual Sourcebook for Professional Digital Wedding Photographers by Michelle Perkins<br />$34.95$23.07 24 Used & New from $21.79</li>

<li>Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories by photographer. Glen Johnson<br />$29.99$19.79 67 Used & New from $15.91</li>

<li>Master Posing Guide for Wedding Photographers by Bill Hurter<br />$34.95$23.07 19 Used & New from $20.68</li>

<li>The Best of Wedding Photojournalism: Techniques and Images for Professional Digital Photographers, 2nd Edition by Bill Hurter<br />$34.95$23.07 27 Used & New from $20.50</li>

<li>Digital Portrait Photography: Art, Business & Style (A Lark Photography Book) by Steve Sint<br />$24.95$16.47 37 Used & New from $13.52</li>

</ul>

<p>Steve Sint's book is the only one I have, of your list. It is good for basic posing. If you can appreciate Zeltsman's posing guidelines, you should have a basic understanding. You won't need other posing guides beyond perhaps, the lookbook type. Anything else over and above basics would be things you can make up or observe yourself. Many times, I've gotten ideas from fashion magazines, but also plays, ballet and TV/movies.</p>