The Look
This pose is a real winner for clients with great legs. The focus is all about the legs and the shoes. The setting suggests a darkened room, with the main light appearing to come from an open door or a neon sign through the window. The ambiguity of whether she’s putting her shoes on or taking them off adds to the allure.
The Setup
The subject sits at the very edge of the bed. A single, narrow light source is used for this setup.
Posing
- Have the subject sit on the edge of the bed with her knees turned to the side. For shorter women, they may need to lift one side of their bottom partially off the bed to reach the floor properly.
- Direct her to slide her closer leg (nearest to the camera) up to reach her shoe. Aim to keep both feet and legs close together.
- Instruct her to keep her torso straight to avoid hunching over. This pose naturally hides much of the midsection behind the thigh, making it flattering for all body types.
My Gear & Settings
- Flash unit modified with a 42” shoot-through umbrella
- 50mm lens
- f/4.0 aperture
- 1/250 shutter speed
- ISO 100
Post-Processing
The image is typically processed with added contrast and often some vignette to give it the look of a small, dimly lighted room.
Tips for Success
- Body Position: Ensure the subject’s torso remains straight to avoid unflattering angles.
- Lighting: A single, narrow light source can add drama and focus to the subject.
- Posture: Pay attention to the subject’s posture to ensure that the pose looks natural and effortless.