Why is it so difficult to pose hands:

Posing Hands for most photographers including me is by far the most challenging task.
When I work with my subjects the most common question I get and I am sure you all get it as well and that is "what do you want me to do with my hands?"
And my general response, for the most part, just leaves it there, don't worry I will take care of it.
The reason I say that is because at the time I really don't know what I want to do with their hands.
Posing for me starts with the foundation, which I will explain in more detail in another BLOG but basically, I want to come up with the core pose first and then build on top of that.
The reason posing hands was challenging for me is because I was trying to pose the hands first and not getting my foundation right.
Basically, I was putting the cart before the horse.

So let's go through some of my elegant hand posing examples:

Palm example:

Palm to face not so good. It looks like you are smooching the face.
Bending the fingers ever so generally, creates a beautiful gap, exposing the jawline.

Backhands to the camera example:

Having a female backhand/fist facing the camera is too much of a distraction especially with a crop to the face.
Having the subject turn there hands so the narrower part is facing the camera is much more elegant.
Back of the hand/fist facing the camera is appropriate for a man as it projects strength.

Hand under the chin example:

Hand holding up the face, it gives the impression the subject is bored or the head is so heavy that they need to hold it up.
By having the subject place their index finger generally under the chin so it connects ever so slightly creates a beautiful elegant image.

Bending the joints:

This is a small thing but it makes the world of difference.
For example, if your subject had their hands straight up and it was close to their face.
If their hands were straight, the image would look weird, but if they simply bend the joint it makes the world of difference.

No pockets example:

Most folks face this problem, the subject has no pockets what can you do with the hands.
Put the hands on the hips, ensuring the joints are bent.
One hand on the hips the other could be bent 90 degrees in the air with joints bent.
Crossing the subject's arms.
One hand in their hair the other could be on the hip.
Form shapes with their hands, by creating a triangle for their face.
Lean them against a wall and now you are open to even more hand positioning or you repeat everything we just did.

In conclusion:

Posing hands is not so much about posing them, it's more about ensuring it's in harmony with the core of your pose and messaging.
If I tell you that everyone should pose their hands in a certain way and you followed my instructions.
Here's what will happen, you will begin to see images with elegant hands but with the wrong message which is a distraction.
Basically, there's no hard or fast rule, they are guidelines but you as the photographer must have the courage to know when you see a disconnect that you must get in there and fix it.
If you remember anything from this BLOG, just remember posing hands has to live in harmony with your core pose.

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How To Pose Hands