In portrait photography, the hands can be everything. People talk with their hands often when they’re trying to be very expressive. When someone doesn’t use their hands, it’s a bit odd. And hands can be a very big part of portrait photography. So we’re giving you a few tips on how to work the hands in portrait photography.
For more useful photography tips, click here.
This tip is inspired by an article we wrote over a decade ago. And it has to do with the hands:
Left to their own devices, people generally aren’t sure what to do with their arms or hands in photos. As a photographer, your job is to help guide them. Rigid arms almost always look awkward. When they’re held down straight at the sides or tightly crossed, it can come off as tense, uncomfortable, and worst of all, unflattering. Any time someone poses with their arms held tight to their side, they press against the body and give the illusion of being much wider than they actually are. Always be mindful to have them “float” their arms away from their torso to create some negative space and maintain a flattering line. Hands should always be somewhat relaxed, never clenched. If you find yourself stuck, think about trying to work with capturing movement. This could mean asking your model to tuck a strand of hair behind their ear or adjust their watch. The natural act of doing something will give the shot dynamism and life. Another option is to bring a prop. Some people relax instantly when they have something to hold.
Here are a few other tips:
- Standing: You can cue them to bring both hands by their face and laugh. Once they’re comfortable moving, you can also have your subject bring their hands on top of their head or closer to their forehead.
- Do Something: Ask the client to tip or adjust their hat. Direct men to adjust their watch, adjust their tie or collar, button their shirt or even roll up the cuff of their sleeve. Cue women to run their fingers through their hair or act like they’re applying lip gloss with the middle finger while playfully looking away. Let them have fun and play with their clothing, especially if wearing a dress.
- Beauty Photography: A good rule of thumb is to practice asymmetry when posing hands. Cue your client to have one hand up by the forehead and the other gently cradling the neck. Have them angle their head if you want both hands up by the face for a smiling image that would make toothpaste commercials proud. You can also practice asymmetry by using both the front and the back of the hand for a more intimate beauty image.
For even more tips on posing hands, you can check this out.