Hoco Poses Solo: 12 Easy Poses When You're Going Alone

5 min read · Glowmaxx

The easiest hoco poses solo come down to three moves: shift your weight onto your back leg, give your hands something to do, and push your chin slightly forward and down. Below are 12 homecoming poses solo, from standing and outfit shots to stairs and candid-style pics, with a cue for each one and a script for directing whoever's holding the phone.

Going alone and not sure your solo pics will look good without a group to hide in? Glowmaxx scores one selfie on your posture and angle, light and fit, skin, hair and grooming, and tells you the weakest one to fix before the night. Start my glow-up

Also, going to hoco alone (or "going stag") is completely normal. Solo pics are just you in your outfit looking good. Nothing weird about that.

Before you pose: the 3 basics

Every good hoco solo pic starts here. Do these first and even a basic standing pose looks better.

• Weight on the back foot. Put most of your weight on the leg farther from the camera. Your body instantly relaxes into a slight S shape (girls) or a relaxed lean (guys).
• Chin forward, then slightly down. Push your forehead toward the camera a tiny bit. It sharpens your jawline in photos and stops the double-chin effect.
• Soften your hands. No fists, no flat palms stuck to your thighs. Light, loose fingers.

Light matters too. Face a window or stand in open shade. Harsh overhead sun makes shadows under your eyes.

Standing poses (hoco poses for pictures)

1. The classic hand on hip. One hand lightly on your hip, elbow pointed back, not out to the side. Weight on the back foot. Cue: "Angle your body 45 degrees, face the camera."
2. Hands in pockets. Great hoco pose for boys, works for girls with pocketed outfits too. Thumbs out, shoulders relaxed. Cue: "Lean slightly into the back hip."
3. The wall lean. Shoulder against a wall, cross your ankles, one hand in a pocket or holding your bag. Chill, confident energy.
4. Look away, look back. Look off to the side, then turn just your eyes or chin to the camera. Take both.

Showing off the outfit

You spent time picking this outfit. Make sure the solo pics actually show it.

5. The over-the-shoulder. Turn your back to the camera, look back over your shoulder. Perfect for backless dresses or a sharp blazer.
6. The twirl. Spin and let the photographer burst. Skirts, dresses, even a long coat work. Pick the frame mid-swish.
7. The detail shot. Crop in on your shoes, your corsage or boutonniere, your nails or your watch. Hands in frame, not your face.
8. The hoco mirror pic. Full-length mirror, phone at chest height, weight on one leg, phone slightly off to the side so it doesn't cover your face.

For guys: the jacket adjust (fixing your cuff or buttoning your blazer) is the move. Looks candid, shows the outfit, gives your hands a job.

Sitting and stairs poses

Hoco poses on stairs are underrated because the levels do the work for you.

9. Stair sit. Sit on a step, knees together and angled to one side, one hand resting on your knee. Guys: sit wider, forearms on knees, lean forward slightly.
10. Step and look back. Stand on a step as if you're walking up, look back at the camera. Elongates your whole outfit.

Candid-style shots (hoco solo picture ideas)

The pics that get the most likes usually don't look posed.

11. The laugh. Think of something actually funny or have the photographer say something ridiculous. Look down while laughing, then back up.
12. The walk. Walk slowly toward the camera, looking slightly down or off to the side. Photographer uses burst mode.

Want more ideas for the pics everyone takes after solo shots? See hoco poses with friends. If you're still in prep mode, the hoco glow up guide is a 2-week plan.

How to direct whoever's taking it

This is the real problem with hoco pictures by yourself: your mom, your sibling or a random friend is holding the phone, and they will take it from above, from too close, and with your feet cut off.

Here's a script you can literally read out:

• "Can you hold the phone at about chest height, not above your head?"
• "Step back a few feet and zoom in a little instead of standing close."
• "Leave some space above my head and don't cut my feet off."
• "Can you use burst mode? Just hold the button."
• "Tap on my face before you take it so the light's right."

One more thing if a parent is shooting: tell them it's fine to take a lot. Parents tend to take three pics and call it done. You want 30.

Then check the first few before doing a whole set. Adjust once, and the rest will be solid.

The worst part of solo pics is not knowing what's off. Is it your posture? The light? Your hair? Take one selfie before you head out and Glowmaxx gives each lever a score out of 10 with a one-line note, plus three moves for today aimed at the weakest one. You fix one thing, not guess at ten. Start my glow-up

Nail your hoco solo pics before the night

Solo poses look best when the basics are already handled. Take a selfie now and Glowmaxx gives you a glow score out of 100 plus three moves for today for your weakest lever, whether that's light, posture or grooming. Do one a day until hoco and watch your timeline move.

Start my glow-up

FAQ

What are good hoco poses solo for girls?

Hand on hip with weight on the back foot, the over-the-shoulder look back, the twirl for dresses and a stair sit with knees angled to the side. Add a detail shot of shoes or nails for your carousel.

What are good hoco poses for boys by yourself?

Hands in pockets with thumbs out, a wall lean with crossed ankles, the jacket or cuff adjust, and sitting on steps with forearms on your knees. Keep your chin slightly forward so your jawline stays sharp.

Is it weird to go to hoco alone?

No. Lots of people go solo or with a loose friend group instead of a date. Take your solo pics, meet friends at the dance and enjoy it.

How do I take hoco pictures by myself with no one to help?

Prop your phone at chest height on a shelf or stack of books, use the timer with burst mode and shoot near a window or in open shade. A full-length mirror pic is another easy option.

How do I look less awkward in hoco solo pics?

Give your hands a job, shift your weight and move between shots instead of freezing. Ask the photographer to use burst mode so you can pick the most natural frame.