the Spine
Although headshots don’t include much of the subject’s body, it is still important that subjects stand with good posture. Bad posture will reduce the subject’s presence in the frame. If you notice that your subject is slouching, make these three adjustments:
- Push in the lumbar (lower) spine so that the spine resembles a smiley face from the side
- Straighten the thoracic (middle) spine
- Straighten cervical (upper/neck) spine
A simple way to direct your subject into standing up straight is to tell them to imagine they are being pulled up by a “puppet string.” More often than not, this cue will help you get the posture you’re looking for.
Pye Jirsa
Founding Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography and SLR Lounge.
Follow my updates on Facebook and my latest work on Instagram both under username @pyejirsa.