Ever noticed how stiff and boring some poses can be?

So often when you pick up a camera people automatically go into "pose" mode and come up with a variety of pracised poses.  Sometimes these work but often they can look contrived.  But then, just as you put down the camera or tell your subject you've finished they relax, eyes light up and they suddenly look so much better.

There are many classical rules for how to pose such as placing your body at a slight angle to the axis of the camera, turning your head for a 3/4 or 7/8 view etc.  However I often find it's best just to help the subject to relax, catch them unawares when they don't expect a photograph.  The latest digital SLRs are up this task as much as traditional film cameras there is virtually no delay from pressing the shutter button to taking the photograph.  This gives the photographer a much greater chance of catching the millisecond when the image as the need occurs.

Of course at the end of the day the choice of pose depends very much on the aim of the photograph.  Each time you pick up the camera you should have a reason for the photograph you take.  Sometimes you are looking for dramatic photographs showing specific emotions.  In such instances I often act out a scene with the subject to get them into the emotions I want expressed.  When they're showing the anger, love, sexiness, surpise.

However, if you're looking for happy, informal shots keep them happy and informal, wait for the moment and capture it, have a bit of joy and light.