Posing Tips: Teach Your Clients to Be Photogenic with David Suh

Photographers will learn how to move beyond memorised poses by treating posing as body language, and how asking clients how they want to feel, rather than just look, produces more authentic images. David Suh also breaks down the real meaning of photogenic and why it has nothing to do with genetics.

David Suh is a portrait photographer, educator and content creator based in Los Angeles who built a large TikTok and Instagram following during lockdown by sharing posing tips. In this episode he talks with host Anna Hutchcroft about his journey from street photography in Seoul and Hong Kong to running his own studio, and how he helps clients connect with sides of themselves they do not usually see.

About David Suh

David Suh is a portrait photographer, content creator and educator based near Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. He was born in New Jersey, then grew up moving between South Korea, Hong Kong, and back to Seoul for high school, before studying design at UC Davis, and built his large TikTok and Instagram following by sharing posing education during the pandemic. He is the founder of David Suh Photography and is launching Dasu Studios, a collective photography space in Los Angeles.

Key takeaways

1. Treat posing as body language, not a checklist

David explains that posing is a form of communication we learn before we can speak. Instead of memorising a set of poses, he encourages photographers to think about what a movement expresses and how it makes the client feel, which opens up far more options than three or four canned poses.

2. Ask clients how they want to feel, not just what they want to look like

Before every shoot David asks clients who they want to see in the photos and how they want to feel. This introspective question often surfaces things clients feel they are not allowed to be, such as sexy, powerful or feminine, which becomes the real focus of the session.

3. Mirror the pose yourself before you ask for it

David physically moves into the pose himself first so he can check whether it actually feels confident, soft or bold before directing a client into it. He even wears the client's style of outfit, including dresses, and started wearing pants without pockets, to understand how it affects movement and feeling.

4. Canned poses are a fine starting point, not the ceiling

He started by memorising poses from YouTube for friends, but hit limits once he worked with different body types, genders and people who did not want to pose like a diva. Use simple poses to break the ice, then build toward posing based on feeling and expression.

5. Being photogenic is not about genetics

David breaks down the word photogenic and argues that while some people fit a current cultural beauty standard, true photogenic quality comes from recognising your own beauty rather than chasing a trend. He tells photographers this reframe helps clients stop comparing themselves to an unreachable ideal.

6. Build content and community before you chase numbers

David grew his following by talking about the human experience behind his work rather than only posting portfolio images. He treated his content like a conversation, not a sales pitch, and says the growth followed from serving people rather than from a marketing strategy.

7. Be selective about whose advice you take

He recalls asking broke college roommates how much to charge and having his pricing beliefs limited by their answers. His advice is to get specific about who you ask, choosing people who have actually walked the path you are trying to take.

Favourite moments

"Posing to me is body language. We speak with our body."

David Suh

"There's something really powerful about feeling something that your client is gonna be in."

David Suh

"What I really believe in is that anyone can be photogenic."

David Suh

"It was never about growing an audience."

David Suh

"Become really specific on anyone who knows yourself."

David Suh

Listen to the full episode

Watch the episode above, or listen to Posing Tips: Teach Your Clients to Be Photogenic with David Suh on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I stop relying on the same poses in every shoot?

David suggests treating posing as body language rather than a set list. Start with a few canned poses if you need a safety net, but pay attention to how each movement feels and what it expresses, so you can adapt on the spot instead of getting stuck when a pose does not fit a client's body or style.

What does photogenic actually mean?

David breaks the word down to photo plus genic, which relates to genes, and explains that being born fitting a current beauty standard is only one narrow version of photogenic. He argues true photogenic quality comes from recognising your own beauty rather than measuring yourself against a trend.

How do you help a shy or nervous client relax during a session?

David tells clients the shoot will feel like a dance or yoga class where he is their mirror, so they focus on how they feel rather than how they look. He also moves into the pose himself first, which helps clients let their guard down and follow his lead.

How did David Suh grow his photography Instagram and TikTok following?

He says timing played a big role, including a BuzzFeed feature that helped him break into his first 100,000 followers, alongside moving onto Instagram Reels early. More importantly, he focused on talking about the human experience of his clients rather than only posting portfolio work.

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