Photo poses for video thumbnails and other social media uses
Beyond the headshot
Headshots are a good place to start for photos but for a wide variety of video graphics for YouTube and other social media, there seem to be a wide variety of poses that are used. I have narrowed them down to some standards. Once you have these, they can be edited into a variety of images. A professional photographer can do these for you or you can simply use the camera on your phone or computer and pose.
Here are essential poses and the successful YouTube creators that I used for inspiration:
I Have A Secret
Shhhh…..just watch this video and don’t tell anyone nudge nudge…
I'm Thinking
It's a pretty big deal..these thoughts I'm thinking.
Open Mouthed And Happy
I'm so happy, I'm gaping
Pointing At Something
It's friggin' amazing, and it's over there.
Cross Armed, Open, Yet Closed Yet Professional Yet Friendly (All In One)
I'm here. Just making money and helping others.
Looking Up And To The Side
There is something cool...over there!
Sitting At A Table Or Desk
This is a solid professional pose.
Pointing At A Phone
The phone can be a great focal point.
So here is a short list of poses for you to try to take and use for different purposes.
Open mouthed smile
Close Mouthed smile
Standing with arms crossedSitting with arms crossed at table
Looking thoughtful with hands on chin
Looking up to sidePointing up
Pointing to different sides
Sitting demurely in chair with hands crossed
Holding up phone
Although I presented this in a tongue in cheek way, these poses will be invaluable to to you and your marketing team. You may feel silly posing but they will really help boost your graphics and add interesting and compelling visual components to your content.