Many guidelines and books focus on teaching people how to look good in pictures, specifically catering to female poses. Unfortunately, male model poses are often overlooked. If you’re interested in capturing stunning male photos documenting beautiful moments with your boyfriends or brothers or starting your first portrait photography session. This guide is the perfect resource to learn about various stylish photo poses for men. If you do not know how to pose for male boudoir photography, this guide will offer some tips.
To help photographers capture outstanding images featuring adorable and impressive men’s poses, I have compiled a collection of nearly 25 of the best poses. Each pose is accompanied by a corresponding picture, providing a visual reference for the desired look. However, it is important to note that perfection in these poses requires time to guide and direct your models effectively. Don’t be discouraged, though, as with practice, you will become more good at capturing exceptional photographs of men.
25. Walking
Walking is a captivating and casual male model pose, loved by many photographers for its ability to create stunning results in formal and informal settings. However, men often feel uneasy and shy when being photographed. To capture this street pose for guys, you should guide your model to walk casually from a distance and gradually approach you quickly. That makes your model loosen up. Adjusting your shutter speed to at least 1/320 will freeze the movement, allowing you to capture attractive, dynamic men’s pictures.
24. Hand In Pocket
This pose tops the list of famous and good guy poses and is the best option for casual and formal shoots. This hand-in-pocket pose can enable men to have something to do with their hands, resulting in a relaxed and carefree appearance. This pose is a safe and straightforward option if you are a new photographer. It provides a simple yet effective opportunity for your model to experiment with various expressions and emotions in a comfortable shooting environment. Consider placing one or both hands in the pockets, whether it’s the front or back pockets. In addition, this pose goes quite nicely with a leaning or walking pose for men.
Top tip: While capturing shots to enhance the overall outcome, please focus on their body language, posture, and emotions.
23. Arms Crossed
Crossing the arms is a straightforward and natural pose that works well for many inexperienced male models. You can instruct your model to stand and cross his arms. However, it’s important to note that crossing arms can sometimes convey a defensive or stubborn demeanor. Encourage your model to smile or try other guy poses to capture more dynamic and warm images. Like a hand-in-the-pocket pose, you can combine this pose with different postures, such as sitting, standing, or leaning. A photography session before the shoot is also advisable to establish rapport and ensure a successful outcome.
22. Lean
The lean is a classic pose for male models, allowing them to relax and exude a confident aura. There are numerous stylish, lean photo poses for men to explore. For instance, your model can lean against a wall with their back and place their hands in their pockets. Alternatively, they can straighten one leg and lean against a bar or any available surface with the other leg. Use the surroundings and have your model lean against various objects to capture compelling photos—experiment with having them look at the camera or gaze away for different expressions. This lean pose is one of the good poses for men.
21. Touching the Face
While some consider this pose unnatural, asking your model to touch their face or neck can offer interesting and impactful results. Look at the example photos above, where the man places his hand on his chin and has a poker face that conveys intensity and thoughtfulness. Encourage your model to explore various facial expressions and capture different styles of images. It can add depth and variety to your photographs, like touching your hair.
20. Do Something with Your Hair
Touching your hair is a well-known and popular pose in fashion and portrait photography for men. Instructing your model to touch or swipe their hair can create a sense of ease and relaxation, creating a compelling photo. This man pose is the best choice if you want to show your model’s hand look.
19. Contrapposto
Contrapposto is a highly effective pose that is an excellent starting point for inexperienced models and photographers on a budget. And this is an excellent pose for men and women alike. In contrapposto, the model shifts their weight onto one leg, causing their body and shoulders slightly off-axis. The iconic example of this pose can be seen in Michelangelo’s David. This male model pose creates a visually pleasing asymmetry, adding depth and interest to the overall composition. If you are unfamiliar with photography composition or need improvement, this comprehensive guide will help you enhance your skills and become proficient in photo composition.
18. Use a Prop
Photographing a model alone can sometimes feel mundane. Adding the right and interesting props can be a great male model pose to excite and intrigue your photos. Many options include CDs, skateboards, lights, lenses, and more. However, it’s crucial to remember that the model should remain the focal point. Avoid diverting attention from your model and ensure the props complement rather than overpower the overall composition. Let the props serve as a secondary element, enhancing the visual narrative created by your model.
17. Causal Sitting Pose
A seated pose is often a go-to choice for photographers aiming to capture a casual male pose or a more laid-back shot. There are many different sitting poses for stunning photos, such as crossed legs leaning forward paired with the sitting pose and knee up with the sitting pose. In the above image, this standard pose gives the model a sense of relaxation and allows photographers to capture compelling images. Alternatively, you can experiment with shooting men’s poses from various angles, adding variety and visual interest to your photographs.
16. Standing Tall Or Men’s Fitness Pose
In general, capturing images of men aims to convey their power and strength. We call this type of picture fitness photography. Many men aspire to have masculine postures or portray a strong impression in their pictures. As a photographer, you may often look for a muscular model and suggest removing their top to showcase their solid physique. Applying some essential oil to their body can enhance the visual impact. You can also direct the model to place their hands in their back pockets and stand confidently in front of the camera. However, it’s important to note that new models may feel nervous during the photo shoot when attempting such poses. Creating a comfortable and supportive environment can help alleviate their anxiety and capture the desired shots.
15. Sitting Pose
The cross-leg men’s posing style, as one of the important sitting poses, may appear challenging for some models, but it exudes a powerful presence and gives the model a thoughtful aura. You can instruct your model to sit on stairs with their legs crossed or on a blanket, resembling a yoga pose. This positioning adds depth and introspection to the image, making the model appear like a thinker. While it may initially seem complicated, this male pose can be effectively executed with proper guidance and practice to create impactful and engaging photographs.
14. One Hand Over One Eye
This man-posing style offers a creative opportunity to capture a close-up shot of your model while instructing them to cover one eye with their hand. It works best for a more visually balanced composition when the right-hand covers the right eye and the left hand covers the left eye. Remember to guide your model to express various facial expressions, such as a smile or laughter, to add further depth and emotion to the image. It is an interesting pose, and you could also combine this man pose with a sitting or standing pose, resulting in some excellent pictures.
13. Backward Chair
The backward chair pose is a men’s indoor or outdoor photoshoot pose, often found in albums and photo-sharing websites. This pose allows the model to relax and conveys a sense of independence and self-assurance. The model can sit in a chair turned around, offering a unique perspective. Additionally, they can explore other men’s poses while in this position. For instance, the model can place one hand below their chin or cover their face, creating a sense of intrigue and adding a touch of mystery. Another option is to have the model touch their face or mouth, adding a subtle yet engaging element to the composition.
12. Tilted Head
Tilting the model’s head is a highly popular pose often seen in fashion magazines, which is why many photographers and viewers are drawn to it. Instead of turning their entire body, instruct them to tilt their head. However, exercise caution to avoid tilting too far away from the camera. Photographing the model from various angles is recommended to capture outstanding images. Alternatively, as exemplified in the above photo, you can practice by directing the camera to focus on the model’s face in the opposite direction. This approach can yield captivating results and add visual interest to your photographs.
If the ambient light and current lighting conditions are not suitable for your needs, don’t hesitate to utilize an off-camera flash to enhance your photography.
11. Jacket Over Shoulder
While this pose may appear commonplace, it has been featured on numerous magazine covers. This male pose conveys attributes such as dedication, sophistication, and an air of effortlessness. To capture images resembling this style, instruct your model to don a business suit or a combination of a leather bomber jacket and jeans, which works well. Have the model remove the coat and drape it over their shoulder while looking forward and away from the camera. This outdoor male pose exudes a sense of confidence and adds a touch of intrigue to the composition.
10. Hand-Clasp
The clasping hand pose is a sitting pose that works particularly well for men. In this pose, the model sits and holds their hands together, conveying a sense of humility and approachability. You can instruct your model to rest elbows on their knees to enhance the pose. If you desire more intricate details, consider capturing a close-up of your model’s hands, highlighting the gestures, and adding depth to the composition.
Tip: You may ask your model to do this pose with or without a chair.
9. Hand On Hip
While this pose is commonly seen in female magazines, it is less frequently used by male models. But indeed, this is a common and simple man photography pose. However, slight modifications can make this pose more creative and intriguing. Instruct your model to close one hand and place it on their hip while lowering the other hand below their chin. Ensure your camera is set below the model’s eye level to capture the desired effect. This adjustment adds a unique perspective to the image and creates a visually engaging composition.
8. Adjusting the Wardrobe
Wedding photographers favor this pose as it allows for wardrobe adjustments, adding interest and intimacy to the portrait. Models can choose different movements and gestures depending on the photographer’s direction and situation. For instance, you can ask your model to touch their hands, watch, hat, or jewelry, adding an element of personalization to the image. One of the advantages of this pose is its ability to draw attention to the intricate details of the outfit, showcasing its beauty and uniqueness.
7. Hand On Shoulder
In contrast to the arm-crossed pose, this modeling pose offers an intriguing perspective, showcasing a sense of vulnerability in men. You can instruct your model to place their right hand on the left shoulder or their left hand on the right shoulder. This man’s photo pose highlights exciting lines and angles and allows for the incorporation of accessories such as a watch. By displaying these accessories, you can enhance the overall visual appeal of the image.
6. Knee Up (Sitting)
Kneeling is one of the best men poses for many models. If you have a relaxed and confident posture model, ask your model to light up his leg and put one hand on that higher leg. Look straight at the camera or look away from the camera. Try different angles and positions; you will have an outstanding performance and great images.
5. Stairs
Utilizing stairs as a prop is a fantastic men’s photoshoot pose that allows for capturing stunning images. To execute this pose, locate a set of stairs and direct your model to sit and lean against the stairs with their back. They can then clasp their hands together or place their hands on their knee. This pose adds appealing elements and enhances the images’ overall beauty by incorporating the architectural lines and textures of the stairs. It creates a visually engaging composition and adds depth to the photographs.
4. Reclining
Reclining is another excellent photo pose for male models. You have your model to pose relaxingly, and it will add new interest to the men’s model shooting. For example, you can ask your model to lie on his side and prop his head up with this hand or other men’s poses. Generally speaking, it is an excellent choice for shooting your male model outdoors.
3. The Thinker
If you see the well-known sculpture created by Auguste Rodin, the male pose-thinker is a familiar and serious portrait of the male pose. Your model can put one of his hands on his knee. This pose could show men’s thoughtfulness and heroism.
2. Squatting
Many photographers love unique and unusual men’s photo poses; squatting is a great choice. But you must pay more attention to your model’s emotions and attitude. Maybe you may have your model for thoughtfulness and joyfulness. The background has a crucial role in photo-shooting the model with this pose. Perhaps the environment should be noticeable.
1. Arching Arms
This pose is among the best men’s poses; many photographers and male models love it. This pose can covey men’s power and control. The model can bend one or two arms with one or two hands in his pockets. Keep in mind that the arms are not straight. The model could pose like a movie star with an incredible facial expression.
Male Poses- FAQ
How should men pose for portraits?
When aiming to convey masculinity in a portrait, it is beneficial to instruct the model to extend their chin slightly forward and tilt it slightly downward. This pose accentuates a strong jawline, contributing to a more masculine appearance.
How should skinny guys pose for pictures?
To show confidence and comfort in your posture and expression, follow these tips:
- Stand up straight: Maintain good posture by aligning your spine and keeping your shoulders back. This conveys a sense of confidence and poise.
- Feet shoulder-width apart: Position your feet at a comfortable distance, approximately shoulder-width apart. This stance provides stability and balance.
- Keep your head up: Hold your head high and avoid slouching. This posture communicates self-assuredness and engagement.
- Learn to smile naturally: Practice a genuine smile that reaches your eyes. A sincere smile can make you feel more confident and approachable.
What should males wear when posing for pictures?
When it comes to capturing unique photo poses for boys and men, there is a wide range of options that can be tailored to different fashion styles. Here are some suggestions for both formal and casual poses:
Formal Dress Poses:
- Head tilt: Experiment with slight head tilts to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the pose.
- Lean: Encourage the subject to lean against a wall or prop, creating a relaxed yet refined posture.
- Contrapposto: This classic pose involves shifting the weight onto one leg while the other leg remains relaxed, creating a dynamic and confident stance.
Cool Poses for Casual Looks:
- Hands-in pockets: This relaxed pose adds a casual and laid-back vibe to the image.
- Hands in hair: Encourage the subject to run their fingers through their hair, creating a playful and confident pose.
- Backward chair: The iconic pose of sitting backwards on a chair can convey a sense of nonchalant coolness.
What are some photoshoot themes for male models?
Explore various photoshoot concepts for male models that ignite your creativity. Consider themes like architecture, black & white, outdoor adventures, and everyday life to get started. These ready-made concepts offer diverse opportunities for capturing captivating images.
Should men show teeth in photos?
Opting for a smile without showing teeth can create a more subtle and sophisticated look.
How to be masculine in photos?
For an appealing pose, keeping the head either straight up or slightly tilted toward the lower shoulder is recommended, especially if the shoulders are not positioned at the same height.
