If you’re looking for tips for posing for men, you’re in the right spot!
Disclaimer: these are tips for anyone interested in learning about traditionally masculine poses, not necessarily men, but that didn’t translate well for a blog post title. People of any gender or presentation are welcome here! It’s all about what poses YOU are most comfortable in and how you would like to present yourself in your photos. With that being said, let’s dive in!
Posing for Guys: Confidence is Key
Posing for guys can be literally any position, it all depends on your confidence level. We’ve all seen poses in fashion ads that look really wild – that’s the point: to grab our attention. But what makes the models able to sell those outlandish poses? Their confidence.
Not feeling confident, or maybe uneasy before your photos? That’s normal! We all get nervous when we do something out of the norm, and most of us don’t have a lot of practice with photoshoots! Here are some ways you can boost your confidence and calm your nerves before your photoshoot.
- Be prepared for your photoshoot. Try your clothes on a week ahead of time to be sure they fit, you know where to find them, and you can get them cleaned and ironed as needed. Get yourself groomed: a haircut and trimmed facial hair is a must. Look up where you need to go and where to park for your photoshoot, and give yourself an extra 10 minutes to get there.
- Right before your session, take some deep breaths to calm that nervous energy. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for a more powerful, grounding pose while you wait to get started.
- Fake it till you make it. I always tell my clients, expect the first ten minutes of your photoshoot to feel a little awkward – that’s normal!
- Give the outlandish pose a try – it takes just 5 seconds of courage, and if you hate the photo – don’t buy it!
Looking for a few more ways to calm those nerves? Check out Forbes’ article on conquering stage fright.
Posing for Men
Here’s an overarching idea to keep in mind for male posing: stereotypical male poses are all about taking up space and making yourself appear big and muscular. That being said, all people are unique and trying out non-stereotypical poses could feel right to you, or more eye-catching to others. 😏
Your photographer should be watching your body language and will make pose suggestions that feel more natural to you as they get to know you over the course of your photoshoot.
Feet:
Interact with your Environment
When in doubt, interact with your environment! Sit on stairs, lean against a wall. These poses look far more natural than just standing in an empty space.
One Foot Forward, One Foot Back
As seen in the above image, this foot placement has more of a casual feel than having the feet side by side.
Seated Poses
For the most casual look, sit! You’ll want to lean forward to emphasize your shoulders and arms.
Chest:
- Lean your torso ever so slightly towards the camera. Push your chest towards the camera.
- Drop those shoulders for a more casual look.
- Even if you’re posing next to smaller people, it’s important that you stand up straight (like a balloon pulling your head up straight). This visually signals confidence.
Hands:
Hands in the Pockets
Clients will tell you that I have strong opinions about hands in the pockets. I always ask clients to leave their thumbs out of their pockets, because otherwise it visually decapitates your hands. It also is a more casual, approachable look.
Mess with your Clothes
This can look like holding onto a tassel, pretending to button your shirt sleeves, touching your watch, or holding onto a prop like a diploma or graduation cap.
Cross your arms
Crossed arms with hands behind the biceps pushing out ever so slightly can boost the appearance of your muscles. You’re welcome.
Face:
Pretend you’re a turtle
Tip your chin ever so slightly down, and push your whole head a little toward the camera, stretching out your neck so your head is further away from your shoulders. This visually increases the size of your eyes and creates a more pronounced jawline.
Have an Angle?
Be sure to let your photographer know if you have an angle or side of your face that you prefer. Your photographer will likely photograph you from a variety of different angles, but if you have a preference they will be sure to accommodate.
Try a Variety of Expressions
While you should always get a standard smiling shot, try a bored look, or a high-energy laughing shot. You don’t know what you’re going to like until you give it a try. If you hate it, you can always delete it.
Interested in a photoshoot of your own? I’d love to help! Inquire about your own photoshoot here!
Kristen Hazelton is an award-winning Oak Park, IL (West Chicagoland) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) graduating senior, and family photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
