Photographing male models can be tough, but with these smart posing tips you\'ll have your camera ready to go. You need to know what poses work best for guys and how they should stand in front of the camera. These are some of the most popular male models poses that will help you capture a great portrait!
Here’s how to pose men:
1: Be Yourself, Talk and Praise Your Subject
The best men picture poses ever used in male portraits are the ones that make your subject feel most like themselves. If you go in trying to copy someone else’s style or what you think looks good, it isn’t going to be natural for either of you. So just relax instead and work with the guy in front of you. What kind of things does he like? Sports? Video games? Maybe his family? Ask him about his favorite things and talk to him throughout the shoot so he stays relaxed and interested in what you’re saying too. At the same time, don’t be afraid to give him some direction too.
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2: Use Props to Your Advantage
Guys respond to props in photography the same way that girls do, especially if they’re relatively simple or masculine. They need something to focus on other than your camera (and you), so think about using sports equipment like a football, volleyball, or boxing gloves. A man cave with something like an Xbox game console might be perfect for group shots. You can also use children’s items like toy cars and action figures for younger guys, instruments like guitars and skateboards for teens, and so on. Just be sure not to go overboard! Two or three carefully selected props are best for posing men at any age because it helps them feel more comfortable around you.
3: Try Natural Props Too
Some of the best props for pictures of guys are things you probably already have around your house. A shirt or sports jersey with his name on it works like a charm. So does wearing something his favorite team (or soccer player) wears, like a hat or scarf that shows off his favorite colors or logo. Don’t be afraid to get creative with things that might work in front of your camera either. I’ve used everything from baseballs and mitts to football helmets and basketball hoops (and not just for playing!).
4: Men Tend to Lean Forward, While Women Sit Up Straight
In terms of physical posing, men tend to be more comfortable leaning forward when they sit down. They also tend to sit with one leg crossed over the other (and their foot on top of the knee). Women usually cross one leg under the other and keep both feet flat on the floor at all times. You can use these things to help pose men for photos if you need some extra help posing guys in particular.
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5: Ease Up On The Makeup (Unless He Wants It)
Most men aren’t comfortable wearing makeup, so applying it during a photoshoot isn’t usually necessary unless he specifically asks you to do so. Even then, a little is plenty because too much looks unnatural and plays up against his manliness instead of accentuating it. You can always try an ombre lip for pictures of guys though, to give his lips a defined look that’s still subtle and alluring.
6: His Clothes Should Fit as Well as They Can
Most guys don’t know how to dress properly for a photoshoot, so the clothes he wears really make a difference in terms of posing him. Dress pants aren’t always the best choice because they tend to be baggy and not very flattering on a guy’s physique. Slim fit or even skinny jeans can work better, especially if you have them hemmed to show off his footwear too. Guys also need their clothes fitted just right – both at the neck and waist – otherwise they bunch up awkwardly or tend to fall open.
7: Pay Attention to the Details of His Appearance
There are lots of small details you can pay attention to when posing men for pictures that make a big difference in terms of how good his picture turns out. If he has piercings, be sure not to block them with your pose. Although tattoos are beautiful and artistic, keep them out of your shot too (unless you want several tattooed arms like one of my friends does!). Guys also need their hair neat and tidy or it can really distract from that handsome face (and they will appreciate it more than you know). Make sure his facial hair is groomed properly too because stubble on guys isn’t always attractive.
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8: Men like Pictures That Look Natural
Guys tend to be uncomfortable with poses that look too contrived or put on. That’s because they like pictures that look as real and natural as possible, not over-styled (which is why you should pay attention to all of the details I spoke of). The best thing you can do when it comes to posing guys for photos is say something like, “Show me how you stand normally,” or “Give me your most natural smile.” These kinds of comments make them feel more at ease and let him know what kind of picture he should aim for during a male model photoshoot.
9: Don’t Pose Men Too Much
Most men need less posing than women because they don’t care about their angles and tend to feel more comfortable when they don’t have to do too much. Just pose him enough so that he feels confident during a photoshoot, but not so much that he starts feeling uncomfortable or stiff in front of your camera.
10: Keep Critiquing During the Shoot
Guys get nervous just like girls do when it comes to having their picture taken because it makes them feel vulnerable and exposes them for who they really are underneath all of those layers we wear in public. For this reason, you need to always be reassuring and supportive around guys while you’re taking their pictures. Make sure you pay attention if they’re wearing a shirt with his name on it (or favorite sports team) to make him comfortable with the shoot.