CREATE A SWIPE FILE

Since you won’t likely remember every picture you come across that has a pose you like, we suggest you start a “swipe file” that you can refer to for ideas when taking future portraits. What is a swipe file? It begins with a pair of scissors or a photocopy machine, and a scrap book. Clip out magazine pictures containing poses that you would like your subjects to try, and save them in a scrap book, preferably organized in sections that define the types of pose. One section may contain only casual, family pictures, while another has only performers’ headshots. Use the photocopier when you come across a publication that you should not use scissors on. Not only will your posing swipe file provide you with an array of poses to stimulate your creativity, it becomes a tool you can use to show your subjects how you want them to pose to achieve the effect you are after.