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Bikini Posing


When it comes to putting on a swimsuit, it can be easy to automatically think you should be a sex kitten during a photo shoot. Contrary to popular belief, posing in a swimsuit doesn't always mean you have to do overtly sexual poses.

There are ways to pose in a swimsuit that doesn't exude sexuality. After all, not only volumptuous, long-legged models wear swimsuits. There are bathing suit styles made for teens as well as adults and when it comes to shooting swimwear, your poses should reflect the target audience.

There are different types of poses you can do when sporting a bathing suit, namely a bikini. There are also different types of bikinis and other two-pieces as well so also keep that in mind. Obviously you would pose differently in a string bikini than you would a two-piece that has boy short bottoms and a simple top.

Like any other type of shoot, the poses you do for swimwear should be natural, graceful and simple. Complicated poses tend to make you look awkward or take away from the overall composition of the photo. Even simple poses can look stunning if shot the right way.

If you're doing swimwear shots for your portfolio/agent, keep it PG, regardless of what age you are. Not all clients want a sexed-up model in a swimsuit. Often they just want a photo that shows off your body without you being naked.

It's much easier to book a gig with a swimwear shot that can appeal to all age ranges than a shot that eyes under 18 shouldn't witness. For portfolio updates, make sure that the poses you do are safe and appropriate enough for your agent to submit to any client without offending them.

Examples of safe, fun swimwear poses:



Freelance models can use a variety of poses in their portfolios since they are the ones in control of their images and who they submit them to. If you're looking to do glamour or modeling for men's magazines, then posing sexier is definitely going to come into play. Even though these poses are supposed to be sexual in nature, that doesn't mean that you need to look like a slut.

Honestly, there is a way to look sexy without looking trashy. Photographers who specialize in this type of photography won't hesitate to tell a model that she is posing too sexy and to take it down a notch. A simple smirk or playful tug on your bikini is just enough to create an image that will appeal to a male audience without appearing raunchy.

Example of a sexier pose for glamour/men's magazine:





No matter what kind of posing you do, it has to look natural and graceful. The greatest pose is one where it doesn't even look like you're posing at all. Having grace doesn't just apply to taller models. Models of average height can also play up their best assets with the right pose. Knowing how to use your arms and how to angle your body can make all the difference.

Even the standard hand on the hip can look stylish and natural in a photo. When it comes to swimwear, make sure to avoid poses that cause your arms to block the swimsuit you're wearing. Everything as a whole should work together to create one dramatic, eye-catching pose.

Examples of simple, graceful poses that create nice lines:




Based off of these two photos, it's hard to tell what my true height is. In the first photo all I did was angle my hips slightly and it created these amazing curves that not only look sexy but slim my torso as well. For the second photo, I knew that by bending one of my knees slightly and angling them just right, I could create the illusion of longer legs. Having these types of photos definitely work to the advantage of models who are on the shorter side.

The best advice I can give when doing a shoot in a bikini is to not have any preconceived notions about the poses you're going to do. First find out what the shoot is for and then tailor your poses to fit that theme in a way that is appropriate for the nature of the shoot and the people who will be viewing the images.

Comments

Menellia said…
thanks for the info, really helpful, i hv to do my portfolio this afternoon
Anonymous said…
Thank u guys,these realy helped me...I have been nevours about going for my next shoot now m readyyyyyyy.thanks
Bhupesh Patel said…
Hi Dania! Im very happy to see your hard work paying off. Keep up the good work!

Bhupesh Patel Photography
Cakegirl Chyna said…
Thank you...I'm so nervous about my shoot at the beach and I don't want it to come of slutty or to sexy..I want it to be of...just me in a bathing suit natural and sexy but not too sexy where role saying I'm doing to much...thanks for the tips
Ronald Tucker said…
Splendid examples of bikini poses...I especially like the full-frontal shot with arm raised over head. The poses gives the model an elongated look with superb lines that accents the models svelte figure magnificently.
doctorm said…
Hi Dania!
Thank you for this insider advice on modeling swimwear. I attended modeling school (Barbizon) and do mostly print work work for sports and athleticwear clients.
I have a swimsuit shoot coming up and think your tips are bang on.
Anonymous said…
Great pictures and very useful info.
I think the best poses are on the pictures 2 and 7. Although model looks amazing on the picture 6 I don't think it is possible for real person to twist that much to have such a tiny waist. Nothing wrong with using Photoshop when it gives great look.
The model has to have perfect legs for poses on the picture 1 and two models on the left and right of the picture 3.
The simple pose on picture 4 makes the model look very sexy.
I realy like picture 5 but photographer has to position the camera right and frame it well otherwise the most beautiful model could look sluty.
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! If photo #6 is in reference to the model wearing the two piece white/pink bikini, holding the strings of the bikini bottoms, that is me (the writer of this blog). There was no Photoshop involved. I have a 24" waist and was able to emphasize it by twisting my hips, sucking in my stomach more and slightly kicking my hips to one side. It wasn't comfortable but it got the pose I wanted. All natural and all me. :-)
Anonymous said…
Hi Dania! I could see from the beginning you are very beautiful. You look just perfect and you are fantastic model.
Dania Denise said…
Thank you so much, Anonymous!!! I'm very flattered and appreciate your wonderful words!!! xoxo
Anonymous said…
I've been doing a little modeling over the last year and I was approached by a photographer to do a car shoot. I've never modeled with cars and almost every picture that I look up ends up looking more for Men's magazines. What would you suggest as far as posing with cars and not looking sexual?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #636," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."

Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
Olga Baker said…
You have such a tiny waist! And I love your look in the second picture (the one where you are lying on the couch)!
Thank you for an insightful article and the extraordinarily helpful website! All the best luck with your work!
Dania Denise said…
Thank you for the kind words, Olga! It is greatly appreciated! Wishing you a wonderful and prosperous 2016!!!

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