One of the most asked questions we get during our sessions is, "What do I do with my hands"? If we do not advise our clients on what to do with their hands, they often lay idly by their sides or are awkwardly placed in places that do not flatter them. And, rightly so. How often do we think about what to do with our hands?

So, we are starting a series on posing-posing for men, posing for women, and we are starting with your hands! As in all parts of photography, there are rules. Rules about posing, and those rules are different for men and women. But, that does not mean you have to stick to those rules for each gender. Once you know these rules and why they are the way they are, you can break them.

You might want to show strength and courage in a woman, so you might use a rule that was made for men, for example. Just keep in mind that the posing can make or break an image just like the lighting and composition.

You will find some simple tips for posing women's hands in this post, so keep them in mind as you are out photographing your family and friends. These posing techniques apply to girls, and young women, too! And, as much as we would love to ask toddlers to cooperate with this, it is nearly impossible. You can give them something to do with their hands, though, as that usually works best. Asking toddlers to keep the side of their hand toward the camera is not something that they will do consistently, and rightly so!