Reddit mentions of Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models (Voices That Matter)

I actually read two books, that I found pretty interesting:

"Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models" - Which takes on the rather technical side, almost drawing charts about where to put which body parts and what it signals. (Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465)

"Psychologie der Fotografie: Kopf oder Bauch?", which is a German book about the psychological aspects. Here the focus is not about the perfect focus point, but telling stories with the pictures. I'm not sure whether there is an English version of the book, but I bet there are similar titles or articles if you google.

What I've learned: just start doing something. Just shoot some models. While during that, try out some weird and creative stuff. If you like the not-so-posed pictures, do stuff with them and document them in the meantime. Personally, I find that more fun than just posing, too. But it's all down to just getting started, learning to see, learning to communicate and direct, and then start exploring while using the experience.

Picture Perfect Posing

First step is to stop trying to bang all your female friends. It'll make them feel creeped out, especially during a photo shoot.

If you're willing to go into this enough to buy a book, Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models (Voices That Matter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321966465/ is good.

All right, since you said you do photograph events and weddings:

The Luminous Portrait: Capture the Beauty of Natural Light for Glowing, Flattering Photographs
by Elizabeth Messina et al.
Link: http://amzn.com/0817400125

Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models (Voices That Matter)
by Roberto Valenzuela
Link: http://amzn.com/0321966465

Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs (Voices That Matter)
by Roberto Valenzuela
Link: http://amzn.com/0321803531

These three are from my wishlist. The Valenzuela one on posing comes highly recommended from some of my wedding photographer friends.

If Jose Villa is your thing, he also put out a book:

Fine Art Wedding Photography: How to Capture Images with Style for the Modern Bride
by Jose Villa et al.
Link: http://amzn.com/0817400028

If you might want to expand into boudoir:

The Art of Boudoir Photography: How to Create Stunning Photographs of Women
by Christa Meola
Link: http://amzn.com/0321862708

Giving direction comes with time and practice and is on the basis you know the foundation of a good pose and what things to avoid.

Read the book Picture Perfect Posing. It teaches you how to make a good pose, and what things to look out for.

This book has been incredibly educational for me. Instead of just showing poses for you to copy and never understand why they work, he goes through all the mechanical parts of what makes poses work or not work, so you understand the "why".

One of the top 3 photography books I ever bought:
http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465

>I definitely struggle with posing subjects

Have you already read Picture Perfect Posing by Roberto Valenzuela?

I saw it recommended a bunch here on /r/photography awhile back, and I'm on my 2nd read-through now. It's a fantastic book that goes into the theory behind why you'd angle a person this way or that, or why you'd move the hands this way or that way, rather than just giving you a bunch of poses to try and memorize.

Lighting is key. Go get this flash for your camera while this sale is still going on; set it up as a bounce flash (aim up at the ceiling). You might need 1-4 total depending on the venue (scout it out and test gear in advance). You should do ok with the gear you currently have (although a fast 50 would be nice).

In terms of posing watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmi9TPQ57Mo
Also checkout this book from your local library: https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465
Most people expect to be posed by the photographer. Practice by doing multiple engagement shots with this couple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmi9TPQ57Mo

http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465

The notion of using a lower Fstop comes from the shallower DoF, blurring out things that are far away from the focal point, mostly to draw focus to the face, however, that is not always necessary, there are some other ways to direct the attention of a portrait.

You should balance out using a faster stop for blurring out and a slower one for a sharper image. I usually tend to stick to a faster one save from some specific poses, and use some positions to enhance some features of the face.

I'd recommend the following book: https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524111845&sr=8-1&keywords=picture+perfect+posing&dpID=51vi3fNrADL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

I dislike some of the choices made in the book, but overall it teaches a lot of good concepts in a didactic way.

Roberto has another book on poses, Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models, but I haven't read it yet, so I can't really say if it's helpful or not.

Judging from the aforementioned Picture perfect practice though, I'd bet it really is ;) .

Also check out Joe McNally's tutorials and books, they are really mind-blowing about the concept of light and flashes!

Picture Perfect Posing by Roberto Valenzuela is a good book that would help https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465

Get a good book on posing, try can learn a ton about how best to direct people. Also, might help to link inexperienced models to YouTube posing tutorials.

This book is fantastic and will change your life. http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-Posing-Practicing-Photographers/dp/0321966465/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405100634&sr=8-1&keywords=picture+perfect+posing