We propose a new method for 3D-mesh model characteristic view selection. It consists in using the views that come from the equilibrium states of a 3D-model: they correspond to the horizontal plane on which an object is stat- ically laying under the effect of gravity. The selected views are then very intuitive for the user. Indeed, to present a query, the user will take a photo or draw a sketch of the object on a table or on a floor, putting thus the object in a static mechanical equilibrium. Consequently, our view selection method follows the same principles: finding all the equilibrium planes of an object and obtaining their relative 2D views. We present the experiments and results of our method on the Princeton 3D Shape Benchmark Database using a collection of 50 images (photos, sketches, etc.) as queries, showing the performance of our method in 3D retrieval from photos.