What to do with hands in portraits

Hands are the most common source of awkwardness in portraits. Fists, flat palms facing the camera and stiff arms all draw attention.

General rules

• Show the side of the hand, not the back or palm.
• Keep hands soft with fingers slightly separated and curved.
• Give hands a job: touching something, holding something, resting naturally.

Easy hand positions

• One hand in a pocket, thumb out
• Hands lightly clasped in front at waist height
• Arms crossed loosely for confident business portraits; keep shoulders relaxed
• A hand touching the collar, sleeve or hair briefly
• Holding a prop: a coffee cup, a book, sunglasses, a tool of their trade

Couples

Hands on the partner’s back, waist or face, intertwined fingers, or one person holding the other’s arm. Avoid hands that disappear behind backs, which look like missing limbs.

Watch tension

White knuckles, pressed fingers and raised shoulders reveal nerves. Ask the person to shake out their hands and take a breath, then reset the pose.