Authentic Expressions Through Subtle Movements in Model Photography
Wiki Article
When I began working with models I found that the model’s body language, especially through the shoulders, hands and feet showed more emotion, more human than just facial expression. The body language in these subtle ways often shows who we really are and feels authentic. This is why I am passionate about capturing true emotion in the moment; those little glimpses of a model moving through normal life can contain emotion, beauty and humanity. Our conversations during each shoot are without words; the model is communicating with me through their movement and I respond by adjusting where and how I am shooting them. It is a dance that flows from instinct rather than rigid posing.
When I begin shooting with a new model I take my time to feel them out before starting to direct them. I pay close attention to how they naturally hold themselves (their posture) when they feel comfortable and relaxed that is where I derive the strength and direction for the whole shoot.
I prefer to use small, flowing movements instead of stiff poses. I’ll have my subject gently turn their head, play with their clothing, and let their eyes drift away from the camera (e.g. up, down, or to the side). These types of subtle shifts between poses provide more genuine expressions than any type of posed expression.
When a model has forgotten that the camera exists is when I tend to get the best expressions. To achieve this, I will engage them in conversation; asking about their day, hobbies, and what kind of feel they want for their photos allows me to break the tension so that they will naturally loosen up and start to give softer expressions. It may be a genuine smile that comes out in between takes or they may drift off into thoughts of their own when they give a contemplative look. I pay close attention to these moments because they have a lot of raw honesty in them and it's difficult to recreate these emotions with posed images.
Lighting is also very important because when the light is soft, the model feels more at ease. On the other hand, harsh or bright lighting creates a large amount of self awareness, whereas soft diffused lighting allows for an environment where expressions can occur without the added pressure of being photographed. I often will place my model next to a window or use a softbox so that the soft light wraps around them gently.
The amount of softness present in their motions lends a sense of deliberation to every single movement and gives authenticity to each and every expression. This softness has a way of enhancing the emotional undertones that are taking place in any given moment, thus creating a uniquely visual product from even the most subtle actions (like a slow blink or a fleeting gaze).
In my personal experiences, I have been able to discern that having some form of motion during a modelling session helps keep models relaxed. Once they are fixed in one position for an extended period of time, their facial structure becomes rigid, their eyes lose glimmer, and tension starts to become apparent. As such, I encourage motion by utilising slow incremental changes in position, gentle adjustments in posture, and minute shifts in balance. I remind the models to breathe, to release their shoulders, and to allow their hands to fall into their naturally comfortable position. All of these minute movements will create a creative rhythm or cadence for the shoot, allowing the model to get into a state where the subject will forget they are being viewed through a lens, and therefore allow their true self to rise to the surface effortlessly.
There are times when I prefer to step back and let the models take the reins. By allowing a model to do this, I have an opportunity to get an improved understanding of their authenticity or individuality. During these times, I am able to observe a model perform a number of actions that will become key elements in capturing the essence of themselves via the lens of a camera (such as adjusting their hair, inhaling deeply between positions, or loosening their posture with each successive shot). When these classes of moments are captured in frame, they often result in the most compelling and well received images from a shoot session.
As a model photographer, I’ve found that truly authentic expressions often emerge from the smallest movements a gentle shift of the shoulders, a soft blink, or a relaxed breath that changes the entire mood of a frame. These subtle gestures help models ease into the moment, allowing their personality to appear naturally without feeling staged. Tools like Visboom , with features such as pose swapping or pose changing, help me experiment with micro movements before directing them on set. I sometimes use model try on to see how different moods or angles might enhance an expression without forcing it. By blending intuitive guidance with supportive tools like Visboom, I can capture portraits that feel honest, emotive, and deeply human.
The photographers I’ve been working with have reminded me that photography is not about trying to control every aspect of the photograph, but rather, to allow yourself to be open to those moments of unscripted beauty that come through naturally.
While capturing the authentic expression of a person is primarily about creating the right environment for that person to be themselves, it is also about being aware of the emotions that lie just beneath the surface and how they can affect the final image. By listening to, and paying attention to the small moments of stillness in between movements, you can capture the emotion in a very subtle way, and create an environment where vulnerability can be expressed, thus allowing for deeper storytelling.
If you want to elevate your portrait photography skills, start looking for the small nuances that will create authenticity in your images. Allow your models to breathe, to move, to exist; create a space for them to express themselves authentically in front of your camera. Your image will be more rich due to the fact that it is captured in a natural way, and if you have not yet spent time exploring these small, expressive moments, use your next portrait session as a working example of how to do so.