Ladies: How to Stand for a Portrait

This tip is for brides, bridesmaids, mothers, in fact any woman in a dress or suit who is standing for a portrait. The prettiest way to stand is to place your feet in a T shape with one foot in front of the other. Point your front foot at the lens; place your back foot perpendicular to the front foot.

The very first time I ever photographed Hillary Clinton when First Lady she immediately placed her feet in a T stance without any suggestion from me. I was quite impressed because most women do not know what to do with their legs and feet in a portrait. She knows how to stand for the camera and now you will too.

Standing with your feet in a T will give you a long, lean line for the camera whether you are wearing a full length gown or a short dress. Line is so important in a portrait and it starts with how you present yourself to the lens. Try standing in front of your mirror to see how nice you'll look standing this way. Most women who are not used to facing a camera stand with their feet apart as if readying to catch a football or hop on a motorcycle. When you are dressed up and wearing elegant shoes, the T stance will add style to your legs and feet and set off your dress. Try it!

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office in Spring Lake, NJ, making her a popular wedding photographer throughout the mid-Atlantic region.