Mastering Male Poses: 15 Essential Tips and Techniques

Knowing how to pose is one of the most awkward aspects of having their picture taken for men. Because of this, a skilled portrait photographer should be able to direct their male subject into a pose that flatters him and conveys the style they are going for. 

This is especially crucial when your male subject is not a professional model.

Undoubtedly, one of the trickier aspects of taking portraits of people is learning how to pose for men, who require a wider variety of poses than women. This list should be helpful in front of or behind the camera. 

How to Pose Men Master Photoshoot Blog Post

It's your responsibility as a professional photographer to make your subject feel at ease in front of the camera. 

You must be very specific in your instructions so that they understand what you want them to do. This guide is an excellent tool for that purpose, as we have included a photo session of each pose that you can share with the model. When working with new or inexperienced models, you can analyze their previous work and look at idea boards together to inspire new models. You can also encourage the model by using visual aids, such as modeling the pose yourself or showing them a picture of the great idea poses. Concepts like "portraying a confident stance" and "accentuating a jaw" are often prioritized in male portrait portraiture. But you can apply these same concepts to posing female models depending on the story and the purpose of the photo. Whether you're photographing a professional male model or just a shy guy having his first portrait photography session, this guide covers 30+ modeling poses for men that will help you discover a wide range of photo poses for men that you can use to create an eye-catching male portrait of men of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The main secret of headshots is the facial expression.

Remember that while some basic poses are appropriate for any photo shoot, others are only appropriate in certain situations. Consider these before deciding on the best poses for your photoshoot.

• Is the photo shoot formal or casual?
• When was your model made?
• What body type does your model have?

For instance, photographing a teen for a senior photo shoot differs significantly from photographing an executive for a corporate portrait. Therefore, always consider how the photos will be used in the end.

Top 15 Poses For Men

The top 15 poses for men are listed below. You must decide which will work best for YOUR photo shoot among those that fit a variety of scenarios.

Most importantly, please ensure the poses you ask your subject to strike are COMFORTABLE for them.

1 - Standing With Hands In Front Of Torso

Standing with your hands in front is an excellent pose for business people.

Request that your model place his hands in front of his stomach. His hands ought to be outstretched, touching. This hand gesture is a typical example of a presentation-giver's body language. As a result, we frequently relate it to someone knowledgeable, assured, and open. 

Ask your subjects to hold their arms slightly looser and place one hand on the other for a more relaxed appearance.

2 - Standing With Arms Crossed

One of the most traditional poses for men is to stand with their arms crossed and face forward. This pose is excellent for business or professional portraits. It's a commanding posture that conveys steadiness. 

But pay close attention to the expression on his face. It may be too authoritative and off-putting if the man appears TOO SERIOUS.

Take the same photo with him facing the camera at a 45-degree angle for a softer, more approachable look. Select the subject's best side, take pictures from both angles and decide the best afterward.

3 - Standing With Hands In Pockets(Use Props of Wardrobe)

I adore the friendly AND attractive Standing with Hands in Pockets pose. Because they won't have to worry about what to do with their hands, it's also ideal for male subjects who are apprehensive in front of the camera.

The model's elbows naturally bend slightly when he puts his hands in his pockets. This position creates a clear visual break that is more interesting to look at by separating the body from the arms.

4 - Hand On Chin (Thinker pose)

The Hand on Chin pose's best feature is that it can be performed either standing or sitting. Both ways are flattering, too! Usually, the purpose of this pose is to draw the viewer's eyes to the model's face. 

Ask your model to pose by placing one hand under his chin. Either an open hand with his chin resting between the index and thumb or a closed fist with his chin resting on top. 

He can cross the other arm over his chest to support the bent arm's elbow. 

Ask your sitting model to slant his back. He can then put his bent arm on a desk in front of him or his leg.

5 - Playing With Hair

Please take pictures of your model running their fingers through their hair when the haircut permits. This is a laid-back, fun look. 

Like the previous pose, it visually emphasizes the face and creates angles, directing the viewer's attention.

If he doesn't have long hair, you can ask him to place his hand on his neck for a few shots.

6 - Jacket Over The Shoulder

Ask your model to sling a jacket over his shoulder for a classier portrait. The other hand can hang by his side or be tucked into his pocket.

7 - Reclining On A Wall (Tattoos Bad Boy Pose)

In the world of male model poses, there are endless possibilities to create captivating images. Photographers know how to capture the perfect shot from diagonal lines, and wall leans (model lean) that exude a formal yet relaxed look to throwing jackets over shoulders for interesting lines (model look) or conventional traditional poses with flexible upper body and classic poses. Sitting poses can also evoke vulnerability while maintaining masculinity, as long as the subject's presence is expanded rather than diminished. Standing poses can be enhanced by leaning against something, creating a natural and elegant look that can be captured from various angles. With these techniques, male photography poses offer a range of diversity for stunning visuals.

8 - Standing With One Foot In Front (Contrapposto Pose)

Whenever you paint a man's entire body, you must pose his legs.

Asking him to put one leg in front of the other in a contrapposto pose, like Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David or Auguste Rodin's The Thinker, is a great way to do it. He can strike an excellent pose with the rest of his body by shifting his weight to one straightened leg and bending the other leg. Additionally, the front leg will appear slightly flexed but still relaxed, giving the pose a more dynamic appearance in different situations.

9 - Sitting With a Crossed Leg

Sitting with a Crossed Leg is one of the most well-liked poses because it is cozy and attractive.

The model may be perched on a chair, bench, or sofa. Then, have him cross his leg so his ankle rests on the knee on the other side.

10 - Sitting, Leaning Forward

Ask the man you photograph to lean forward and place his elbows on his knees while seated.

This pose's perspective will make the shoulders more comprehensive than the waist, giving the wearer a flattering appearance. Now that his face is in the foreground, it becomes the photograph's main subject.

11 - Fixing His Jacket

Men often strike the famous and current pose of fixing their jackets. There are several different variations as well. 

One option is to ask him to adjust the jacket's collar, possibly pulling it up or forward, depending on the style of the garment. 

You could also ask him to fix the buttons on his jacket if you'd rather have his arms away from his face.

12 - Squatting

When it comes to male poses, there are plenty of options to capture the perfect shot. Sitting leaning forward can create a flattering perspective (in contrast to formal poses), with the subject's face becoming the main focus. Another famous pose is fixing his jacket, where he can adjust the collar or buttons for a stylish look. Squatting works well for a more dynamic shot, especially with younger models. It allows you to frame the entire body, adding depth and interest with one extended leg. So whether it's sitting, leaning, fixing, or squatting, these poses offer versatility and creativity in male photography. A seated pose can also be an excellent option for capturing a more relaxed and casual vibe. Whether he's on a barstool, a step, a couch, or something in between, a seated pose allows the model to relax truly and adds variety to the photo shoot.

13 - Sitting With Legs Crossed

In contrast to squatting, the Sitting with Legs Flexed pose is appropriate for models of all ages. 

Get your subject to take a seat on the ground. Have him flex one leg vertically and bend the other parallel to the floor.

He can balance himself by placing one arm on his flexed knee and the other on his back. 

This relaxed, and at ease pose is ideal for a casual portrait. Due to all the diagonal lines, it still maintains good visual interest.

14 -One Leg Up

One leg is raised onto the chair or bench as the man stands next to it in the one-leg-up position. Once he is ready, have him lean forward and place his arm on his knee that is bent. 

This pose can also be executed with the model seated on a bench or couch. The ability to hold the position and feel at ease long enough for you to take pictures is what matters.

15 - Sitting On A Chair Backwards

Ask your subject to sit down facing the camera while using a backward chair for the Sitting on a Chair Backward pose. Each side of the chair should have one of his legs.

Then, he can put his hands on the back of the chair and rest his chin there. Or, he can maintain a straight posture while resting his elbows on the back of the chair with his forearms extended.

Pro Tips

Understanding the importance of poses in male photography

In male photography, great poses are of utmost importance as they can convey various emotions and add visual interest to the picture (like being in a fashion magazine). Whether it's a casual portrait or a more artistic composition, understanding the significance of poses is crucial. When working with male subjects, it's essential to consider their body structure and find poses that suit them best. Experimenting with different poses can strike the perfect balance between strength and vulnerability, resulting in captivating images.

What are some classic male poses for photography?

Some classic male poses for photography include the power pose, where the subject stands tall with confidence, the casual lean against a wall, and the hands-in-pockets pose. These poses exude masculinity and create dynamic and visually appealing images.

Best Lightroom presets

Moody

Boho Cream

Bright & Airy

Insta Mom

Conclusion

With all these posing choices at your disposal, you can be sure your upcoming male photo shoot will succeed. To find the ideal angle, feel free to alter each pose slightly.