If you want to become a successful model, you need to know how to pose like one. Striking a pose is a model's bread and butter, but it's not always as easy as it seems.

The type of pose you adopt will depend on the category of modeling you're working in. High fashion, commercial, fitness, lingerie, glamour, and alternative models all have different poses they can rely on to achieve the perfect shot.

Read on to discover tips and advice on the best model poses.

Model Posture
Have you ever seen a top model slouching while walking? Regardless of the modeling category, successful models have excellent posture and strive to improve it by incorporating exercises to balance their bodies. Many models practice walking straight while balancing a book on their heads.

To stand tall like a model, focus on straightening your shoulders back and imagine a string extending from the top of your head pulling you toward the ceiling. It takes a lot of practice, but eventually, standing straight should become a natural habit.

Posing for Advertisements
Commercial photo shoots and photos taken for advertisements are generally more relaxed and natural. Commercial brands typically target everyday people, and the poses tend to reflect that reality, with relaxed body posture and joyful, approachable facial expressions.

Commercial poses are simple and refined, designed to highlight the clothing, accessories, or products being advertised. The poses are not exaggerated or overly artistic.

Focus on facial expression, hair positioning, and proper body posture. Typical commercial poses include hands on hips, crossed arms, a slight knee bend, or even a seated position. The poses should generally be comfortable to hold.

Commercial modeling is about showcasing the clothing to the best advantage, which means avoiding wrinkling or creasing the garments. Models should also have a relaxed and often smiling face. Anyone with acting training will be able to portray different emotions.

To practice commercial modeling, set up a camera or ask a photographer to take full-length photos of you. Check the photos to ensure the clothing appears clear and flattering. Brands are not looking for perfection but someone relatable and with whom the audience feels a connection.

Fitness Poses
Fitness models need to strike different poses from commercial models as they cater to a different audience.

Fitness and physique models pose to highlight clothing or equipment related to training or physical activity. They must pose to showcase their athletic qualities. This typically involves cardio poses like running, weightlifting, exercises like cycling or squatting, or muscle contractions to show definition.

Fitness model photo shoots usually take place in locations where we regularly work out, such as a gym or outdoors. Action shots are another key pose.

Emotions are not important in fitness poses as the focus is more on portraying a workout session or displaying determination and resilience.

High Fashion Poses
High-end fashion requires much more artistry in poses. Highlighting the clothing is not as important in high fashion; it's more about creating a visually striking and bold image.

Smiling models are rarely seen in high fashion photographs. They tend to have strong eye contact or appear mysterious and distant.

The poses will be less natural and often uncomfortable to hold. An elongated neck is a popular pose, as are long legs and unusual body positions.

To get inspired, look at magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar as they regularly feature advertisements from high-end brands like Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dior.

Male Model Poses
Male model poses differ from female poses in many ways. In high fashion, men typically appear relaxed but confident. Whether it's suits or colognes, men pose while intensely looking at the camera or walking away to create a strong, sensual, and often professional and expensive image.

Men are often shown buttoning their suit jackets or fastening their cufflinks.

Should You Smile in Portraits?
Portraits are close-up images of the face. It's good to include them in your modeling portfolio as they show potential employers your facial versatility as a model.

If you aspire to enter high fashion, it's good to include photos with a more serious facial expression, as high fashion models are usually not seen smiling in advertisements. For commercial modeling, models may be asked to have multiple facial expressions at hand. These can include smiling and laughing, as well as more serious facial expressions. Taking a drama class or two is a great idea for aspiring commercial models to better understand how their facial features are perceived.

Models should strive to pose with a variety of facial expressions, giving them more work opportunities. Practice in front of a mirror and in front of a camera to learn how to effectively express yourself using your facial features.

How to Pose as a Beginner Model
Professionals have a lot of experience and know their best angles. Beginner models should practice until they understand their body and how to present themselves best in front of the camera.

Women should think about how to appear taller, elongate limbs, and create a flattering bust line, as well as ensuring that the chin is showcased and defined in images. Men should focus on looking natural and confident while highlighting the products.

Profile pictures are just as important. Many of us don't know what our profile looks like since it's an angle we don't see in the mirror. Practice getting photographed in this position to fully understand the shape of your body. Consider your waistline, height, chin, ankles... Are your elbows protruding? Is your back hunched? Are you standing up straight? Are your clothes creating unflattering folds due to your position? The camera will often find and exaggerate any imperfections, so practice until you become fully aware of how each part of your body looks from every angle.

The best model poses are often the simplest and most elegant. For example, standing tall while hooking your thumbs through belt loops is a tried-and-true classic for jeans advertisements. Flip through different magazines to find photo shoot ideas as well as pose and facial expression inspirations.