Sitting Pose Ideas For Content Creators to Try
As a content creator, I’m always looking for ways to make the images I produce more interesting and I would guess that you’re in the same boat.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to make a simple shift when you’re taking pictures from standing to sitting.
I love a traditional outfit photo as much as the next girl, but your photos will have more of an approachable, lifestyle feel to them if you’re doing something that you could be seen doing on the day to day.
Sitting Pose Ideas For Content Creators to Try
If it’s been a while since you experimented with the composition of your photos, you might just find a creative gear unlocked by trying out some of these pose ideas.
Not only that, but you can have your photographer experiment with a few different angles from high up to low down until you get the perfect shot.
Whether you want to take a photo seated in a cafe or restaurant or you’re getting creative and finding stoops or curbs to perch on, here are some of my favorite seated poses for influencers.
1. Adjusting Your Accessories
This solves the age-old posing questions of “what should I do with my hands?” Simply adjust an accessory—it can be your glasses, a bag or even your shoe. It gives that candid feeling even if you’re posing.
2. Atmosphere Shot
Take the focus off of yourself by shooting from further back and focusing on the atmosphere around you. I love the framing of this picture because it lets the viewer feel like they’re actually there with me.
3. Barely Perched
If you want a super casual sitting shot that doesn’t feel too posed, consider leaning against a barstool or perching on the edge of your chair. It reads very relaxed on camera and looks cool and effortless.
4. Comfy and Cozy
I shot these photos with my friend Jessie a few years ago inside of a tiny cabin and we really made the most of a small space by taking some photos on the bed. I loved adding the tall socks and blowing on the cup of coffee to set the mood.
5. From the Side
Instead of shooting straight on, test out different angles like taking a photo from the side. This photo was actually taken with a self-timer and tripod when I was traveling in Miami solo so I placed it on another table to get the shot.
6. Head Turned
Another sitting pose that I love to refer back to is if you ask your photographer to shoot from straight on but you turn your head to look off to the side. It takes the pressure off of making a face at the camera, especially if you have a cool background behind you.
7. Holding a Drink
Another great prop to include in a photo is a beverage of your choice. Whether you’re in the mood for a matcha or a martini, this gives you something to focus on for a more natural pose. Try actually picking the drink up as well as holding it while resting on the tabletop.
8. Crossed Legs
Instead of sitting with both feet on the ground, crossing your legs can help create angles and add more interest to your photo. You can even take this a step further by draping your arm over your legs if you’re holding a purse or just relaxing your hands.
9. Ground Yourself
This is one of the more “posed” shots in this roundup and I love it because of the shapes created with my body in it. Holding the chair felt a bit awkward to do but actually helped ground the photo and make the pose look intentional.
10. Leaning Back
We rarely sit totally upright in life or in photos—don’t be afraid to lean back (or lean forward!) in shots if it’s something you would naturally do. You can also cross your legs or drape your arm across your body to modify this pose.
11. Mirror Selfie
A straight-on mirror selfie is a classic, but have you ever tried a seated mirror selfie? This one was at a cool exhibition in NYC, but if you have a large floor length mirror at home you might try this pose to add some variety to your feed.
12. On the Corner
To play with interesting angles try shooting directly at the corner of a bench or ledge. This one was the edge of a building in NYC. It instantly adds depth and perspective to your image and you don’t have to get too fancy with your posing.
13. On the Curb
In New York the whole city is your backdrop, so change your perspective and get down low for a classic curb shot. I personally like to create shapes with my legs by bending one and extending the other and have the photographer squat so they appear more eye level.
14. Poised Picnic
Planning a fun afternoon with your friends? Snap a few pictures seated for a picnic. I like to reach for an item or show myself pouring a drink or assembling a cheese board for pictures like this.
15. Sitting on Steps
Sitting on staircases is one of my favorite seated poses! I like to find a cute brownstone or steps leading up to a museum and shoot content there for a casual on-the-go moment. Try sitting with your legs together or on different steps to give yourself options.
16. Slight Stretch
I couldn’t come up with a good name for this pose, but I love this photo shot in Central Park where I’m just leaning forward slightly almost like I’m stretching. This is another great one if you have an amazing background or if you’re on a couch or bed.
17. Straight On
Sometimes you just want to take a photo straight on. I love doing these at restaurants and cafes since you can usually addin props like a cup of coffee or a plate of food, especially if you’re hoping to create lifestyle content where you’re out and about.
18. Taking a Selfie
My favorite photos always contain action where I’m actually doing something and for this photo all I had to do was hold up my phone to take a selfie. Not only is this a fun one to use if you talk about social media, but you really get two photos for the price of one!
19. The Thinker
Emulate the famous statue by Rodin by posing like you’re thinking something over by resting your head on your hand. I like to do this pose when you can have your knees up high enough to rest your elbow on, but I would skip it in a regular chair.
20. Turned Around
If you’re feeling bored with the usual sitting poses, I always love a look back moment. Simply angle your body and then turn your head back to create a subtly different pose.
Tips for taking sitting photos:
Shoot from different heights
For photos where you’re sitting on the floor or the curb, encourage your photographer to do a few shots from above and also a few shots lower to the ground where they are almost eye level to see what you prefer
Move your legs
Experiment with different positions of your legs—think about stretching them out long for some photos and maybe pulling them in for others. I also find that having one bent and one extended will add visual interest to your photo
Sit forward on the edge of your chair
It will feel unnatural in the moment, but you’ll appear taller and more commanding if you sit upright at the edge of your seat instead of slouching back, as we may naturally have the tendency to do
I find that sitting poses look best when I’m holding something or doing something, so consider bringing along some of my favorite props for seated photos at your next shoot:
A bag or purse to hold
A drink like a cup of coffee or a cocktail
Food at a restaurant
Sunglasses or a hat that you can adjust
Your phone or laptop
Makeup
Jewelry
Check out this related post: 17 Cute Pose Ideas to Try For Instagram
I hope you got some new ideas for sitting poses to try at your next photo shoot.
Which of these ideas was your favorite? Let me know in the comments and if you have any other suggestions for sitting poses to try, definitely let me know!
yours,
Austen
Photos above by Jessie Alcheh, Karya Schanilec and more!