Getting your stance right on motorcycle pics can be the difference between looking authentic or absurd
The way you pose with your motorcycle can reveal a lot about your ability as a biker, a body language expert has revealed.
With thousands of new bikers hitting the road this year (UK motorcycle sales are up 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2020), many are showing off their new purchases online.
However, by failing to get their poses right, amateur bikers can be exposed very quickly.
With this in mind, Vertu Motorcycles invited body language expert Adrianne Carter of the Face Whisperer to reveal what bikers should and should not be doing when they take snaps of their motorcycles.
Her top tips include keeping a neutral expression, relaxing your limbs and creating a wide stance.
Things to avoid include forced smiles/scowls, gazing into the distance, folding arms and hiding hands.
| Motorcycle photo dos | Motorcycle photo don’ts |
| Keep your expression natural | Rigidly grin or scowl |
| Give the camera attention | Divert your gaze to far-off hilltop |
| Show your hands | Hide your hands behind your back |
| Relax hands and feet | Fold arms or put hands in pocket |
| Create a wide stance | Shrink away from the camera |
| Hold / lean on the bike | Perch uncomfortably on the bike |
| Show off plenty of the bike | Cut off the bike from shot |
Adrianne also came up with five poses to help bikers capture the perfect picture.
1. The Streamlined Sitter
Nothing says cool and calm quite like a biker who can master ‘The Streamlined Sitter’ pose.
This photo doesn’t just show off the details of your vehicle – but also the fact you’re in control of it.
Keep your legs straight, cross your feet, place one hand over the handlebars, and the other on your leg.
Using your self-timer, you’ll get a good angle that also emphasises your height whilst capturing the best of the bike.
Adrianne says: “Generally, the more space a person appears to take up (think tall people or images of people looking down at the camera), the more dominant and in control they are perceived.”
2. The Over the Shoulder Glance
A casual glance can actually be pretty powerful when it’s done right.
This is an effective pose to show off your new bike in a way that comes off as confidently casual as opposed to arrogant.
Using a selfie stick, take the image from a distance; simply checking over your shoulder and acknowledging the camera.
Adrianne explains: “The indirect facial expression doesn’t seek the viewer’s approval, while the close camera shot keeps the focus on the face and the front of the bike in equal measure.”
3. The Lens Lover
The ‘Lens Lover’ pose lets you tell the world you were born to be a biker.
You’ll need to get a friend to help you with this one, or alternatively find a place to prop up your phone and set the self-timer.
Parking yourself on the seat, try to mimic the loosely crossed arms and keep your hands loose. Tilt your head ever so slightly and top it off with a broad smile.
It’s the opposite of the cliche ‘bad biker’ pose – and it’s far more effective.
Adrianne explains the psychology behind the stance: “Hands seen in the image also reassures the viewer, showing there’s nothing to hide here.”
4. The Pit-Stop Pauser
‘The Pit-Stop Pauser’ is a good choice if you want to include as many elements of the vehicle as possible.
Ideally, this one should be captured against a beauty backdrop for added effect.
Spread your legs to make the body look wider and keep your hands on the handlebars, tilting your head a touch.
Adrianne explains: “The spread legs create a firm base, making the body wider and bigger in the picture – both of which are distinct signals of power and dominance in the body language field. “
“We see more of this control with the hands gripping the handlebars – directing and in command of the bike.”
“Tilting the head is a positive cue – it shows the person is open to listening and engaged and negates any feelings that might be perceived as looking down on the viewer.”
5. The Eye Contact Engager
It’s not easy to nail The Eye Contact Engager, but if you’re prepared to invest some time in getting the right take, it could prove to be a very effective picture in the end.
Adrianne says that the key to getting this right is confidence – looking
directly at the camera.
Leaning the head slightly to one side can “soften” the eye contact and “creates an intimacy with the viewer.”
Reflecting on the research, Mark Goode, Brand Director of Vertu Motorcycles, said: “When you have a new bike you always want to show it off, at Vertu we encourage that.
“The Vertu Motorcycle Club is our friendly community of riders and a great place to show off your new bike.
“Get noticed and say hello by using the hashtag #VertuMC.”
To read more about the motorcycle community, visit the Vertu Motorcycles blog.