Best Jumping Poses for Dynamic Photos + How to Shoot Them Like a Pro

As a photographer, I love capturing jumping poses. They’re fun, dynamic, and full of energy. They convey celebration, happiness, and achievement.

They are technically challenging, though, and prior planning, setup, and direction are all crucial elements required to make sure I can achieve what I set out to.

The camera setup is vital. A shutter speed of 1/1000th or faster is non-negotiable when it comes to freezing this kind of action sharply.

There are situations where I might want to introduce some subtle motion blur using slightly lower speeds, but these need to be calculated, measured choices, not left to chance.

With fast shutter speeds come exposure and camera noise issues, so lighting is the next thing to consider. Bright natural light is the best option to freeze motion with the right level of exposure, avoiding lengthy post-production adjustments.

With all this in mind, read on to find out my best jumping poses for dynamic photos and how to shoot them like a pro.

Safety First

One of the first things I need to do in the pre-shoot phase is to assess the overall safety aspects for my subject.

I need to consider the landing position of the person jumping, and the landing surface needs to be flat, soft, and free from obstacles.

There needs to be plenty of room, too; if there’s more than one person in the shot, they need ample space so as not to clash in the air or on the ground.

If I’m getting my subject to run and leap, I’ll need a lot of extra space, and this all needs to be planned out thoroughly.

Practice Makes Perfect

To plan the best I can for the shots I’m going for, it’s important to get my subjects to practice jumping.

Not only do they need to get a feel for how they’ll do it, but I also need to gauge the height they’ll reach and where the apex of the jump will be.

They can optionally push off the ground with two feet for a vertical jump, or leap from one foot, which creates a greater arc.

Either way, I’m looking for the apex point of the jump, which is the natural freeze point, where, momentarily, gravity is fully countered.

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Camera Settings

To capture sharp shots, you’ll need a fast shutter speed and a wide aperture setting, typically from f/2.8 to f/5.6. This is going to narrow the depth of field, allowing the subject to pop against the background for dramatic effect.

The ISO setting needs to be as low as possible to minimize the chance of noise. I tend to aim for ISO 100, increasing this slightly for darker scenes.

The key is to have as much bright light as possible, creating a shot that is sharp, perfectly exposed, and without noise. With enough light, the low ISO will work perfectly.

In terms of focus, I set my camera to continuous autofocus so that it tracks the movement. This will ensure the subject remains sharp throughout the process, resulting in a focused final photograph.

Likewise, I’ll usually use burst mode on the camera, capturing multiple shots from which I can later choose the best ones.

6 Pose Ideas and How to Pull Them Off

Now that we’ve considered the safety and practice elements required for the pre-shoot phase, let’s look at six of my favorite pose setups for great jump shot photographs.

The first three on the list are what I consider classic and essential poses, the “must-haves” in your toolkit.

The last three are more expressive, narrative-driven ideas that borrow elements from dance and sport disciplines. While these are more challenging, with a capable participant you can achieve something amazing with any of these more stylized options.

I usually place the camera on a low tripod or even on the ground, and I’ll direct my subject to jump straight up on the spot, as high as they can.

I use the timing cue “3-2-1-Jump,” and I’ll hold down the shutter in burst mode from just before they leave the ground until they’re just starting to descend again.

1. The Vertical “Float”

Our first setup is the classic and quintessential jump pose: the straight-up vertical. This is the one we usually think of; legs straight down and together, body vertical, with the arms raised above the head, reaching for the sky.

Arms out to the side is the main variation here, which gives a different composition to the shot, as well as being a slightly more stable posture for the person making the jump.

Arching the back adds a more dramatic element to the shot.

To frame the shot in such a way as to exaggerate the height and create a sense that my subject is monumental against the sky, I’ll go for a low-angle, shooting upwards.

And if I can lose any reference points from the shot, then the person will look like they are way up in the sky, which is a great illusion that’s very striking to the eye.

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2. Tuck Jump

The tuck jump, like a ball of energy, is a pose that borrows from sport and is something you might see from a gymnast or trampolinist.

The idea is for the subject to achieve the most compact and tight shape possible, and for you, as photographer, to capture the shot at the tightest point of the knee tuck.

Using a trampoline is the best option for this shot, regardless of whether your subject is an athlete or a sports person.

You’ll want to frame the shot so that it’s wide enough to show the coiled person with enough clear space around the shape to fully convey the feat they’re achieving.

3. Starfish

Another classic pose that I like to shoot is the straddle jump or “starfish.” Here, the legs and arms are spread as wide as possible; sometimes the legs can be slightly angled back, giving the impression that the subject is even higher.

The key here is maximum extension of the limbs. Again, I like to shoot from a low vantage point to accentuate the height of my subject, while other times, I will go for eye-level if I want to capture the facial expression straight on.

To direct my subject, I simply ask them to jump up and out, pushing their arms and legs away from their core to make a large “X” shape, with their head kept up.

This pose requires quite a lot of space, so you’ll need to plan for that. I particularly like the energy and freedom this pose conveys to the viewer. It’s happy and playful and full of joy.

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4. The Split Leap

In French, it’s known as the “Le Grand Jeté,” and it’s a classical ballet jump that’s characterized by the dancer leaping from one foot to the other with the leading leg extended forward, and the other extended back, forming a clean 180-degree split in the air. The arms are usually sweeping or framing the head.

While not strictly reserved for the professional ballerina, this move requires strength and flexibility.

Either way, the principles are the same, and as a photographer, you’ll be timing your shot for that mid-air apex point, to maximize the extension of the legs, showing the athleticism and technique off to the maximum.

You’ll want to position yourself so that you capture the full body, ensuring the frame includes the subject’s line from head to toe.

Once again, positioning the camera at a lower angle to the action will further enhance the height perception and full extension of the body.

5. The Heel Click

This is another classic that says, “I made it,” or “I’m winning.”

The heel click is a great pose that produces a lovely symmetrical shape and isn’t too difficult for anybody to pull off. It’s exuberance and pure happiness in a photograph.

It requires precise timing to capture the moment the heels touch. The subject springs upwards, quickly pulling their feet together mid-air so the heels of their shoes click together. Knees should be slightly bent out to the sides.

Taking this shot from the front, or from behind the subject, really comes down to personal preference and all depends on whether you want the person’s face in the shot, or just the pose of the legs and feet in a more isolated, abstract way.

A low angle is particularly effective for this shot as it exaggerates the distance between the ground and the subject’s heels.

A classic variation on this sees both feet out to one side, heels clicking once again. This requires more coordination and a bit more athleticism.

I will discuss this kind of shot with the person before getting started, deciding which to go for.

• More: 27 Flattering Portrait Photography Poses

6. Mid-Air Stride

The mid-air stride or frozen run is a fun pose. It’s a very comical and funny pose, reminiscent of kids’ cartoons.

We’ve all seen it: the mouse being chased by the cat that runs on the spot in mid-air before gaining the traction to move forward.

This shot works well, whether taken at either eye or torso level, or side-on to the direction of travel. I also make sure to leave space ahead of the subject to suggest where they’re headed.

In terms of direction, it’s useful to place a marker on the ground and have the subject run towards it, getting them to take a big, long stride as they leap.

Be sure to emphasize that they shouldn’t be jumping upwards, but leaping forward.

With this shot, you can optionally use the camera on a tripod and freeze the action perfectly with a fast shutter speed, or you can use a lower shutter speed (in the region of 1/400 sec) and track their leap, which will blur the background to convey maximum momentum and motion.

Further Tips and Tricks for Great Jumping Shots

So now that you’ve learned my six main pose ideas, let’s recap some of the key tips and tricks you’ll need to take the best photos of people in the air.

Prioritize Shutter Speed

To freeze the motion effectively, 1/1000 sec is the baseline. Motion blur is the main cause of failed jump photographs.

Master Catching the Peak

The apex of the jump is a very short-lived moment. Get used to anticipating where that point is and using continuous shooting mode to help you capture that moment where the subject appears truly weightless.

Low Is Best

Positioning the camera below the subject’s waist, often near the ground, is nearly always the best strategy.

Focus Is Key

Use a continuous autofocus setting so that when a subject is moving toward, away from, or across the frame, the camera remains focused on the face (or whichever focal point you’ve chosen).

Cues And Countdowns

Use clear cues and countdowns to communicate and synchronize effectively with your subject, so that you both know what to expect and when.

Be Safe

Be clear in your mind about the landing area, and make sure that it is safe, flat, and soft.

Make sure the subject is confident in hitting the right marks. Likewise, be sure there is enough space all around the jump point and the general area where you are shooting.

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Final Thoughts

Although challenging, shooting people jumping can produce some very rewarding results that really make you feel like an accomplished photographer.

With this guide and a bit of planning, you’ll be capturing great mid-air shots in no time at all.