DIY Posing Cube For Portrait Sessions
A posing cube is one of the most versatile and valuable pieces of studio equipment you can have. It’s ideal for maternity photography, giving clients a variety of ways to pose — from seated portraits to leaning shots — while keeping your sets looking polished and professional.
Store-bought cubes can be expensive, but with just a few materials and basic tools, you can build your own high-quality posing cube for a fraction of the cost.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to make a durable, minimal, and beautiful DIY posing cube that looks perfect in any studio space.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need For DIY Posing Cube
Materials:
UTRUSTA shelf, white, 18x24" – Pre-finished white shelves that are the perfect size for the panels of your cube (you’ll need five).
16 Pcs L Bracket Stainless Steel Corner Brace Set – 90° metal brackets that secure the corners and keep the structure strong and square.
GSCIT Club White Melamine Edge Banding – Iron-on edge banding to cover raw edges and give the cube a clean, professional finish.
Tools:
Drill or screwdriver
Measuring tape
Sandpaper
Utility knife
Small household iron (for edge banding)
Hand saw or circular saw – for cutting the top panel to size
Furniture Pad
(Optional but highly recommended) 90° Corner Clamps – These hold two panels at a perfect right angle while you screw them together, ensuring everything stays square.
Start by gathering five UTRUSTA shelves (You will need to purchase 3 2-packs). Four will serve as the sides of your cube. One shelf will need to be cut down to size to serve as the top panel.
Step 1: Assemble the Frame
Begin by connecting two shelves to form an “L” shape.
Use corner clamps to hold the pieces at a perfect 90° angle. This keeps everything aligned and frees up your hands.
Secure the panels with L-brackets, drilling screws into the inside corners. I used 3 per corner.
Repeat this process with the remaining panels to complete three sides and the back. Make sure to arrange them like so to that the width is 18 inches. See image.
Once the four sides are attached, place the 5th shelf on top and draw a line for where to cut. It will be about 19.5 inches long. Cut using a saw.
Line up the finished edge of the shelf with the front panel. Use brackets to secure.
Pro tip: Use a carpenter’s square or measure diagonals to make sure your cube is perfectly square before tightening all screws.
Step 3. Finish the Edges and Bottom
For a clean, professional finish, use melamine edge banding to cover any exposed edges.
Cut strips slightly longer than the edge you’re covering.
Align the banding and press it with a medium-heat iron to activate the adhesive.
Once it cools, trim away any extra with a utility knife and lightly sand the corners smooth.
Do note - there is a line between the top piece and the sides that will need to be fixed in editing.
Attach small adhesive furniture pads to the bottom edges of the cube. This makes it easier to slide during sessions and prevents damage to your floors.
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