So, you’ve got a male model for a portrait, but you’re not sure how to pose them? This is the guide for you…and anyone who is looking to do male photography.
There are all kinds of photo poses for men that you can use to create an eye-catching portrait of men of all ages, shapes, and sizes. From sitting to standing, arms crossed to legs crossed, and many points in between, the following photo poses for men will make them look their best!
Table of Contents
- Photo Poses for Men: Watch the Hands!
- Photo Poses for Men: Arms Crossed
- Photo Poses for Men: Arms Crossed, Full-Body Portrait
- Photo Poses for Men: The Side Lean
- Photo Poses for Men: The Back Lean
- Photo Poses for Men: Standing Tall
- Photo Poses for Men: Stand & Shift Weight
- Photo Poses for Men: Add a Prop
- Photo Poses for Men: Seated
- Photo Poses for Men: Lean In
- Photo Poses for Men: Put Him in His Element
- Photo Poses for Men: Action Shot
#1 Photo Poses For Men: Watch the Hands!
Photo by Roman Samborskyi via Shutterstock
Though the hands might seem like a minor detail, if a male model doesn’t know where to put them, the portrait can quickly look awkward.
To avoid this, give the model specific direction regarding what to do with his hands.
For example, you might have him cross his arms or put his hands in his pocket. You might also incorporate some sort of prop for him to hold.
Get more insights into how to pose men for portraits in the video above by Samuel Elkins. You can also explore our nude male photography guide for tasteful ideas for posing men in the nude.
#2 Photo Poses for Men: Arms Crossed Photo Pose
Photo by AYO Production via Shutterstock
Perhaps the simplest pose for photographing male subjects is to have them cross their arms.
Not only is this a masculine look, but it also gives him something to do with his hands, which, as we discussed above, is hugely important. Note how, in this pose, the shot is fairly tight and includes just the model’s upper body. This isn’t the only way to incorporate folded arms, though.
Quick Tip: Ensure the model’s shoulders are back and their core muscles are engaged. This will help them stand up straight and avoid a slouched look.
#3 Photo Poses for Men: Arms Crossed, Full-Body Portrait Photo Pose
Photo by Roman Samborskyi via Shutterstock
In this example, the arms-crossed photo pose is implemented in a full-body portrait.
In addition to crossing the arms, ask the model to also cross his legs, ensuring that the bulk of his weight is on one leg.
Mirroring the crossed look in the legs gives the portrait cohesion while also helping relax his lower body. That is, if the model stands with legs straight, he might be inclined to lock his knees, which will result in a stiff-looking portrait.
#4 Photo Poses for Men: The Side Lean
Photo by mimagephotography via Shutterstock
If you ask me, this is one of the best photography poses for men because it forces the model to relax his body.
Just like I noted above, the legs can become quite stiff and wooden if there isn’t some kind of shift of weight.
So, asking the model to lean against or on something, as shown above, shifts his weight to one side to help create a relaxed look.
An alternative to the photo pose above would be to have the model lean his shoulder against something, like a wall. It has the same effect of creating something that looks nice and relaxed.
Keep Reading: How to Choose the Perfect Portrait Photography Location
#5 Photo Poses for Men: The Back Lean
Photo by mimagephotography via Shutterstock
This is one of the best photography poses for men because it’s so easy to pull off.
Just have him lean back, rest against a wall, put his hands in his pockets (or cross his arms), and you’ve got a great pose for a male model!
Quick Tip: Having the model look off-camera is a trick to make him a little more relaxed. Additionally, looking off-camera is a great way to create a more informal portrait.
#6 Photo Poses for Men: Standing Tall
Photo by insta_photos via iStock
Of course, poses for men don’t require that they have their arms crossed or that they’re leaning against something.
Instead, you can simply have the model stand tall!
When using this pose, have the model shift his weight to one leg. As you can see above, the man’s weight is slightly on his left leg, and with his feet open, this pose looks masculine while still making the model seem approachable.
#7 Photo Poses for Men: Add a Prop
Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock
As noted earlier, having the model hold something – even if it’s just in one hand – can have a relaxing effect that helps the model have a more natural look.
When using props, be sure they make sense in the shot. You want the prop to be secondary to the model, not something that takes attention away from him.
Above, notice how the skateboard is integrated into the shot. It’s not flashy or attention-grabbing, but it adds an element of authenticity to the portrait of this young man.
Keep Reading: A Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography Angles
#8 Photo Posed for Men: Seated
Photo by Pressmaster via iStock
If it’s something casual you’re after, it’s hard to beat the old standard seated pose.
Whether he’s on a barstool, like above, a step, a couch, or something in between, a seated pose gives the model an opportunity to truly relax.
Just remember that when he’s seated to drop the level of your camera – you want the barrel of the lens to be at or slightly above his eye level rather than shooting at a steep downward angle.
Quick Tip: In seeking to achieve a powerful vibe, try using a dark background, as was done above. Deep, saturated tones like blacks and blues provide a masculine look to the shot.
#9 Photo Poses for Men: Lean In
Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock
One of the more powerful poses for men is to have them lean toward the camera.
Typically done in a seated pose like the above, this pose often looks best when the camera is slightly below the model’s eye level.
Shooting slightly upward toward the model increases their powerful vibe in the shot.
#10 Photo Poses for Men: Put Him in His Element
Photo by VICUSCHKA via iStock
Not all portraits have to take place in a studio. In fact, putting the male model in his element can really help him relax so you can get a more natural-looking portrait.
You can even find excellent candid moments when you photograph a man in his own space. This is a great way to get the authenticity that many people desire in their portraits.
#11 Photo Poses for Men: Action Shot
Photo by Fred van Diem via Shutterstock
I think one of the best photography poses for men is an action shot.
I’m not a huge fan of stuffy, heavily posed portraits, so male portraits like the one above, in which there’s even the slightest notion of some movement, are much more visually appealing.
So, you don’t have to put your male model on a basketball court or photograph him lifting weights or something of the sort. Instead, find ways to give the viewer a sense that the model is being active in some way, and you’ll find that the resulting image can be quite pleasing.
With that, you have 11 surefire poses for men you can utilize to create eye-catching portraits. For some ideas on how to pose men who aren’t models, check out the video above by Julia Trotti.
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Learn More:
- 4 Simple Portrait Photography Tips for Beginners
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