In an effort to get the most creative and unique poses possible, many models make the mistake of hiding their biggest money-maker during a portfolio shoot: the face. No matter what type of pose you have the model do, remember her face should always be front and center, unless she is a model for a specific body part, such as a hand or ab model. Anytime she twists her body into position, make sure she focuses on what her face is doing.
No matter what, don't allow your model to give in to a sloppy posture when posing for her portfolio. Even if she is doing it on purpose for a funky pose, it isn't flattering to any size, shape or body type. For example, if she is sitting down, cross legged, instruct her to keep her back as straight as possible and her shoulders forward, states the Actingmodeling.com website. Even in headshots, a sloppy posture can be evident, so be mindful of this at all times.
If one arm is going straight up, the other should be angled to provide an asymmetrical pose to make the most of the model's body structure, according to the Actingmodeling.com website. Don't be afraid to encourage her to try odd poses, as she may be pleasantly surprised at the result. The most uncomfortable and awkward poses can often result in beautiful pictures that make the most of the model's body in photos, resulting in a good range for her portfolio.
A modeling portfolio should feature different poses, facial expressions and outfits. To get this from the model in different poses, encourage her to mimic natural motions. For example, continuously snapping a model as she mimics a "walking down the street and looking both ways" motion can result in a very carefree and fun-loving photo; posing her yelling at the neighbor's dog can net an entire different expression, giving her portfolio some variety.