Heya,

I am doing a promotional photoshoot with a local musician and really want some dynamic shots. I have the lighting figured out but need tips on making a non-model feel comfortable.

She's going to have a beautiful decorative dagger to play with for some of the shots, but I'm kind of afraid that if I direct her poses too much, it's going to look forced and stiff.

I am really worried because I've been analyzing some of my shots and a few have very stiff models in uncomfortable poses....

I am wondering how to get good results with posing, especially a non-model....

Keep your directing loose and minimal.
Suggest simply-stated concepts.

Don't worry about each shot. Sometimes you can just fire the shutter to keep things moving fluidly for your model, and then toss out the many failures later.

Always remain alert to opportunities to spontaneously change your plan, the perspective, and your image design based on what you are seeing in the moment. Virtually all of my location shots were seen, conceived and executed in less than two minutes., including my avatar.

The main thing is to keep things simple, giving minimal direction that suggests the mood you want to create, and calls out to the model's strengths, personality and creativity.

Just make simple movement or positioning suggestions that work towards your goal in a general way, and be prepared for some pleasant surprises when you go through the shots later on.

Have FUN yourself, and they will relax and do the same!

I hope it all goes surprisingly well for you.

I've photographed a lot of people!   However  I don't know what your style of directing models is like, but perhaps you've been over directing?  Music is the rhythm of life, of nature.  Play her favorite music if you can.  Ask her about the writing process she goes through in creating music?  Ask about characters in movies that she likes?  Maybe her favorite comedy?  Having a light conversation is important in the loosening up process for you and your subject.

One thing about being in front of a camera is that we've got to get out of our head and be ourselves.  Movement is a part of the process.  Set a stage for her to dance.  It is a fact that models, musicians, actors and dancers perform a character when on stage.  It is more about carrying on a conversation than to direct them into poses you want.  It's got to be what they are comfortable with, to be themselves.  Best wishes on a great shoot!