Top 6 Gen Z Poses That Don’t Look Cringe (For TikTok, Reels & Instagram)

Gen Z is all about avoiding the cringe.

From feeling self-conscious about dancing in public to worrying about saying the wrong thing, there are plenty of potential sources of embarrassment for people who share their lives online.

These concerns can matter when creating content for platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Reels and photo carousels need to catch viewers’ attention while still feeling appropriate to the creator’s personality and audience.

As a photographer, you want clients to feel comfortable with the images you create and confident sharing them with their audience.

Get to grips with what cringe really means and how to avoid it by employing these six useful poses that are sure to drive engagement without the ick factor.

What Is “Cringe” and Why Does It Matter?

Cringe is the embodiment of embarrassment and shame. For Gen Z, in particular, it can come from overenthusiasm, being caught out in compromising positions, or simply looking fake.

The concept of cringe has become so ingrained in modern online culture that there are now swathes of deliberate cringe-core videos.

People speaking in silly voices, talking directly to celebrities, or wearing outlandish outfits that definitely don’t suit them – this is all part of the movement where people try to be deliberately as cringe as possible.

If your client wants a polished, professional image, deliberately awkward humor may not suit their goals. However, avoiding that style doesn’t mean every photo needs to be restrained or serious.

The best way to avoid coming across as cringe is to embrace your authenticity. You can’t be cringe when you genuinely love what you do, and as a photographer, if you can capture that, you’re sure to get some winning shots.

So, instead of over-posed, think calm, confident, and collected. Replace the cheesy, fake grin with a more natural, contemplative expression.

Look for natural moments, such as laughing at a comment, reaching for an object, or playing with a child. Build the shoot around your client’s interests rather than forcing them to imitate a TikTok trend that doesn’t fit their personality.

Speaking of TikTok, if you’re taking photos and making videos for the popular short-video platform, check out my guide to the best LED lights for TikTok for content creators. Illuminate your shots beautifully to take them to the next level.

1. Follow Me

One of the biggest trends on TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts is the “get ready with me” or GRWM phenomenon. The idea is that you just watch someone choose outfits, put their makeup on, or do a skincare routine as they do it.

Many influencers have expanded this ethos into videos where the viewer comes along with them, virtually, as they perform any number of tasks.

Some creators share workouts, salon visits, or other everyday experiences.

You can even take photos and videos of someone simply walking to wherever they want to be.

This approach can feel more natural than a heavily staged portrait, particularly when the activity genuinely reflects the creator’s interests.

For a still image, ask your client to walk away from the camera, then turn to look back over their shoulder. This can work in a street, home, or store, provided you choose a setting that suits the subject and have enough light for the shot.

Ask your subject to look back over their shoulder. A casual question about where they’re headed or what they plan to do may help them relax and produce a more natural expression.

Experiment with shutter speeds for these types of shots. A fast shutter speed will give you a crisp result that counteracts the motion of the turn, but a slower speed may emphasize the movement of long hair, which can add a pleasant effect.

2. Laughing at Myself

One of the best counteractions for cringe is the ability to be silly and laugh at yourself. I’ve found that some of my best shots have been the bloopers or behind-the-scenes photos, where the person is unguarded and relaxed, and showing off their best self.

Get your subject to pull a silly face or make a gesture with their hands. You could start telling jokes, but if that’s too cringe for you, encourage them to bring a friend along who always seems to make them laugh.

Don’t discourage playfulness. Consider props, face paint, or musical instruments if they suit your client’s interests and the shoot’s concept.

Take lots of snaps at shoots like this. Not every image will be a winner, but there will be some gold among the various shots.

The goal is to get a photo of your client being ridiculous and feeling no shame about it. Social media scrollers will feel that lack of embarrassment and laugh with, not at, the person in the photos.

3. In My Element

Sometimes the best way to capture authenticity is to snap the person in their natural element, whether that’s wearing their favorite outfit or hanging out in urban environments with their friends.

A graffiti artist, for example, may feel comfortable being photographed alongside their work. Ask which pieces they would like to feature and look for opportunities to capture their expression naturally.

Have them standing in front of their work, with both them and the art visible. Ideally, encourage them to wear an outfit that will stand out, for example, with neutral colors against a bright background or vice versa.

Remember, though, that they should be comfortable and happy in that outfit. The last thing you want is for these shots to look forced.

Aim to convey the subject’s personality and artistic expression. If the pose feels too rigid, try a different activity or give them more freedom to interact naturally with their surroundings.

Apply the same approach to other creatives by photographing them in a gallery, workshop, or conversation with fellow artists.

I find that taking the camera to where artists and other creative types are actually working and interacting results in shots that are instantly engaging when shared online.

Strong organic photos can contribute to a successful Instagram post – as opposed to relying on paid boosted posts – but their performance depends on factors such as the audience, content, timing, and promotion strategy.

4. Romance on the Beach

For couples who enjoy sharing their relationship online, relaxed beach portraits can create warm, affectionate content. The key is to capture a connection that feels natural to the people involved. If your clients enjoy sharing swimwear, travel, or relationship content, consider a beach shoot with their partner.

A couple lounging, relaxed in each other’s company, is a heart-warming image and one sure to elicit fuzzy feelings that help pause the scroll.

You can pose your couple on a hammock to capture a little motion that echoes the swell of the sea. Or simply find two sunbeds close together, or lay some towels directly on the sand.

Just don’t get too close to the water, or you, your clients, and your equipment may get damper than you planned for. Make a note of the tide times before you head out to the coast, and you’ll have a much more productive day.

5. Serious Adventurer

Some outdoor adventure photos can look overly staged, particularly when athletes are asked to smile instead of concentrating on the activity.

I’ve always found that to really get a sense of the adventure, you have to take a picture that shows what’s involved and how serious the person involved is about their chosen outdoor activity.

Take climbing, for example. Rather than relying on a static pose on a small rock, consider a photograph that shows the climber engaged in the activity.

If you have the appropriate training, equipment, and a safe vantage point, photograph the climber in action from a position that shows their movement and climbing gear. Never compromise the climber’s safety – or your own – to obtain a dramatic angle.

Don’t wait for a smile if it would interrupt the moment. A focused expression can communicate concentration, but let the subject’s natural response guide the image.

6. A Family Picnic

Many members of Gen Z have kids, which means tons of baby photos flooding Insta and similar platforms. But you don’t need to have the ultra-posed images that are just the same as everyone else’s.

Forget picking out 20 outfits and hoping the little one stays still on the changing mat this time. Head out (or encourage your clients to head out) to a relaxed family picnic.

Bring a blanket and suitable snacks, and check the weather forecast before heading out.

As the photographer, you should hang back and take some shots from a distance. The less intervention from you, the better, as you’ll capture organic interactions between the young parents and their small child, and more natural smiles and laughs.

Try these shots from different angles, and make sure your clients are happy about their baby’s or toddler’s face being in the shot. If not, simply ensure you take snaps from behind the child.

More Tips for Gen Z Photoshoots

Avoiding cringe isn’t the only consideration for working with young, up-and-coming influencers, entrepreneurs, and fashionistas. You also want to make sure that you’re clued up on what’s important to them, whether they’re a passionate musician or a determined business person.

Take the time to learn a little about your client before you arrive for the photoshoot. You’ll find things go a lot easier when they trust that you know what you’re talking about.

You don’t have to be an expert on fashion, music, or even the newest trends like pickleball. I find that chatting to them about their motivations and what they’re hoping to get out of their latest set of TikTok or Insta images helps set them at ease while informing your photography decisions.

Some practical tips:

• Check the location in advance so you can plan for lighting, weather, access, and any restrictions on photography
• Agree on a shoot duration and a reasonable amount of flexibility in case you need extra time. You don’t want to rush them, but you don’t want them chomping at the bit to leave if it takes hours to get the perfect shot.
• View your client’s socials well ahead of the shoot so you can get a good feel for their branding or personality.
• Ask what they love about their existing TikTok or Reels content, so you can emulate that where appropriate.

Finally, don’t assume that all Gen Z clients will be in their teens and early 20s. As time ticks by, members of Gen Z are now approaching 30 years old, so be respectful and listen as carefully as you would to older clients.

Final Thoughts

There are also signs of a pushback against the fear of being perceived as “cringe.” Some online creators and commentators are encouraging people to embrace their interests and express genuine enthusiasm rather than worrying excessively about how others might judge them.

With that in mind, resist the urge to put your client’s enthusiasm on mute. While it may feel natural to create subdued, subtle shots, some bright colors, big movements, and excited facial expressions can actually make your Gen Z influencer or personality more relatable.

Don’t assume that you know what will come across as “cringe” just because you personally might be embarrassed to behave or pose that way.

You can find out a lot in a quick conversation. Chat with your client about what they consider cringe, and make sure none of that is involved in the shoot in any way you can.

Because when you help them create content that shows who they are, they’re more likely to reach an audience that will appreciate that too.

More: How to Pose Muscular Athletes Without Making Them Look Stiff or Cartoonish