This is designed to be a one-page "Pocket Guide" you can print out, laminate, or post to your Google Classroom. It’s written in student-friendly language to keep them moving during their shoot.

📸 The Portrait Pro’s Cheat Sheet

Goal: Move your subject from "Awkward" to "Artistic."

1. The Head & Face (The "Money" Shot)

• The Turtle: Have your subject push their forehead slightly toward the camera and down. It feels weird, but it defines the jawline and eliminates "double chins."

• Catchlights: Ensure there is a spark of light in the eyes. No catchlight = "dead eyes." If you don't see one, move them closer to a window or a lamp.

• The 45° Tilt: Most people look better with their face turned slightly away from the lens rather than staring flat-on like a mugshot.

2. The Body (Angles & Lines)

• The S-Curve: Ask your subject to put their weight on their back foot. This naturally tilts the hips and creates a more dynamic, "S" shaped silhouette.

• If it Bends, Bend it: A straight arm looks like a wooden board. A slight bend at the elbow or wrist adds "flow" to the photo.

• Pocket Rule: Never hide hands completely in pockets (it looks like they have no hands!). Keep the thumbs out or just tuck the fingertips.

3. The "Director" Commands

• Don't say: "Stop moving."

• Do say: "Slow down your movement; I love that hand placement."

• The "Laugh" Trick: If they look stiff, ask them to look at their shoes, then look up at you and "fake a big laugh." Usually, the real laugh happens right after the fake one—that is when you click the shutter.

4. Lighting Patterns 101

Pattern

How to do it

The Vibe

Loop Lighting

Light source is 45° to the side and slightly above eye level.

The "Standard." Flattering for everyone.

Rembrandt

Move light further to the side until a small triangle of light appears on the shadow cheek.

Moody, Dramatic, Artistic.

Flat Lighting

Light is directly in front of the face (like a ring light).

Soft, "Vogue" style, hides wrinkles/acne.

5. The "Dada" Twist (Advanced)

• The Fragment: Close up so tight that you only see an ear and a shoulder.

• The Blur: Use a slow shutter speed and ask your subject to shake their head.

• The Prop: Give them a random object (a toaster, a branch, a shoe) and tell them to pose with it like it's a precious heirloom.

Teacher Tip:

Print these at 4 cards per page, cut them out, and hole-punch them onto a keychain. Give one "Posing Pack" to each student pair!

Would you like me to create a quick 5-question "Exit Ticket" quiz to see what they learned from the shoot?