Throw Your Weight Around

A natural looking pose is a big part of an appealing portrait.  Here is one of the easiest ways to make your poses look natural.  All you need to do is make sure that if you are interacting with an element in your environment you put your weight into the position of your body.  Lean on the object, sit on it, rest your arms on in it, but create a connection that is clear.  After all, most human beings do not move through their environment caressing it.  You sit in a chair, you push a door open, you walk up steps.  Let’s take a look at a few example photos.

1.  Is she trying to smooth out the pillar?

2.  This could happen in real life - someone leaning on a fence for support.  This looks much more natural, and could be even more effective if her feet were placed further in front of her.

3.  Better yet - normal interaction with a setting that is worth including in the photo.