Men's outdoor photo shoot ideas. Male poses for a photo shoot

Let's look at some fundamental points regarding photographing a man - poses for a photo shoot for men. Men tend to feel less comfortable during a photo shoot, so in order to get good photos, it is important that the subject is not tense.

It's best to do a little prep work before shooting. Give your photo shoot subject some useful tips, thereby involving him in the process! He will feel more confident knowing the plan of action and understanding what exactly he will need to do and what result is expected of him. Showing the man you're photographing different male photography poses is a very good way to prepare him for the photo shoot and help him feel more relaxed and confident.
So, let's look at some simple men's photo shoot poses.

Male poses for a photo shoot

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1 . A very simple pose for a male portrait: a shot of the upper body with his arms crossed over his chest. Two things to consider: your shoulders should be pulled back slightly and your abdominal muscles should be tense.

2 . Crossed arms are also great for full-length photography. Also, ask the man to place one leg in front of the other, crossing them. But you need to make sure that the weight of the body is not distributed equally on both legs, otherwise this pose will look simply awkward!

3 . The subject of your work may often ask you the same question: “Where should I put my hands?” The answer to this is usually very simple. You need to constantly use the four hand positions (and combine them in any combination for both hands). 1) Arms hang freely along the body. 2) Hands on hips. 3) Hands in pockets. 4) Both arms are crossed on the chest. And beyond that, you need to keep your arms relaxed at all times, which means there shouldn't be any muscle tension, unless, of course, you're photographing a bodybuilder. :)

4 . A relaxed pose for a man standing upright. It’s true that men usually don’t know where to put their hands, so asking them to tuck all or part of their hands into the side pockets will certainly achieve a natural and relaxed pose.

5 . Another variation of the previous pose with minor changes. Some clothes thrown over the shoulder, just a thumb in the pocket and crossed legs will give very good results.

6 . To photograph a man sitting, ask him to place the ankle of one leg on the knee of the other, which will look relaxed and natural. Shoot a little from above.

7 . Another option for standing poses is to lean against a wall.

8 . Ask the man to lean his shoulder against the same wall. This pose is very good for both casual and formal shots.

9 . A very simple pose for a formal portrait. The thing that a man holds in one hand (for example, a laptop, books or even tools) can serve as a symbol indicating his occupation.

10 . Contrary to popular belief, you can take a great photo of a man sitting on a table. When taking a formal portrait, this pose can alleviate awkwardness.

11 . A very simple pose for a portrait of a man sitting at a table. Objects lying on the desktop can serve as symbols of his professional activities.

12 . A slightly modified version of the previous pose. Perfect for a formal portrait.

13 . To show a work atmosphere by removing objects on the table from the foreground, ask the man to turn his back to him. The photo will be formal and at the same time very casual.

14 . A man who sits at a table, leaning on crossed arms. Again, you can place work-related items on the table to indicate his profession.

15 . Using a chair as a prop can make a portrait more charming and interesting. Perfect for photographing creative people in a work environment.

16 . Shooting a man sitting comfortably in a chair usually works well for corporate and formal portraits.

17 . An easy and relaxed pose for a man sitting on the floor or on the ground. Try taking photos from different points and angles.

18 . Another pose option for a man sitting on the ground. Suitable for outdoor photo shoots.

19 . A casual and relaxed pose for a seated man.

20 . Pose for an informal photo. A man sits on the floor, leaning his back against a wall or some object.

21 . Finally, let your subject be the protagonist of the photo. Never be afraid to take a close-up shot of your model's face.

Here are men's photo shoot poses that you can use, at least at first. And again, remember that nothing is absolute, each pose can and should change depending on the environment in which you are photographing and the scenario. There is no need to insist too much on anything. After all, all you need for a good portrait is simplicity. Simple backgrounds, simple clothes, simple poses and natural facial expressions.

You can see other articles with poses in the section on our website.

The day came when a newbie photographer was approached by a man who wanted to book his own photo session. The question immediately arises: how to professionally and efficiently implement the received order? And in fact - how? If many articles, manuals and books have been written about taking a female portrait, then the male portrait is discussed occasionally and in passing.

Theoretically, it would seem that photographing a man should be done in the same way as photographing a girl. But in practice it turns out to be much more complicated. If in most cases girls behave relaxed and open up to the photographer in the first minutes of a photo shoot, then men, if they are not professional models, act tense and constrained for most of the shoot.

It so happens that in the photo album of the average woman we can see more than a thousand photographs: amateur and professional, made in various genres and styles, while a man has only a hundred or two, which include kindergarten, school, college, and army , wedding and document photos. And it’s not that men don’t like to be photographed, that’s absolutely not true! Often they simply do not see the point in engaging in such “girlish nonsense”, or, to put it simply, they are simply embarrassed to turn to a professional photographer. But, nevertheless, many men want to look beautiful, courageous and brutal in photographs. And if you are a beginner photographer, then in this article we will look at the basic nuances and rules of shooting a male portrait.

Psychological features of a male portrait

Photographer, remember: a man will never admit that he is camera shy! He will be silent in concentration and pretend to be very serious, or, on the contrary, he will chat incessantly, playing the role of a cheeky guy. Therefore, the main task of the photographer at the very beginning of the shooting is the complete psychological and physical liberation of the model, removing the bodily pressure and bringing the person to natural emotions.

One of the key features that distinguishes a male photo shoot from a female one is that girls will spend a very long time selecting ideas for each photo, running up to the mirror ten times to straighten their hair and rehearse a pose for shooting, while guys for the most part act according to on a whim and without preparation.

Here are some tips on how to find a psychological approach to the male sex:

    The photographer must quickly respond to the initiative of his model and the change of his images. Talk less, work more!

    Speak and act clearly, clearly and understandably. Stay focused and catch interesting moments!

    The man expects the photographer to provide a detailed explanation of the entire shooting process; describe to him briefly why he needs to take a particular pose, when it is better to smile, and when to remain serious; what do you use this or that lens or softbox for.

    If women like some mystery and intrigue in everything, then men prefer openness, clarity and brevity.

Learn to find an approach to each model, to each customer, and then you will certainly succeed!

Choosing a style for a men's photo shoot

It’s worth discussing in advance with the man what he expects from the photo shoot, what kind of photos he wants to get in the end. If he hasn't decided yet, offer him several options for shooting.

For example, a studio photo shoot, outdoor photography, black and white photography in a simple style, photographs on a roof or in an abandoned building, on bridges, in a park, in an office, in a gym, in a workshop, photos in your favorite car or in a garage, shooting combat arts, horse riding, fishing - the flight of imagination is limitless!

Props for a men's photo shoot include a cigar, a pipe, a mouthpiece, all kinds of hats, weapons, suspenders, various ties, leather clothing and furniture, a guitar, a glass of strong alcohol or a cup of coffee, a cane, an umbrella, a book, glasses - the choice is huge!

The background texture must be rough: concrete, brick, wood, graffiti, stone, metal, etc. The main thing is no flowers or butterflies! Remember, a man has an aggressive nature, he is a hunter and a getter, be sure to emphasize this in the frame, and be sure that the customer will turn to you next time!

Manifestation of a man's individuality in a photograph

A successful man always stands out with confidence in his abilities and individual charm, which constantly attracts the interest of the fair sex. For this reason, the goal of a high-quality photographer is to masterfully convey this uniquely masculine characteristic through successful angles, settings, and lighting.

Ask your model not to shave for several days until the effect of slight stubble appears; wrinkles and scars on the model’s face will be an additional advantage and will give greater brutality.

Most men like photographs to focus attention on their belonging to the stronger sex. For a male portrait, the younger generation prefers to expose their muscles, while the older sex gives preference to the most formal, official type: in classic or sportswear.

Many customers definitely want to shoot in an open space in order to highlight their own independence and self-reliance.

Photos of representatives of the stronger sex must be “male”, i.e. there is no place for grace in the poses; on the contrary, a certain audacity in body movements should be visible, no soft lines or bends.

Plain, dull clothes are preferred. For example, jeans, trousers, T-shirt, tank top or polo shirt.

It is better to turn a photo session for men into pleasure, relaxation, and entertainment. Make a stylish shoot, capture a confident and brutal image, let a man try himself in the role of a romantic or a hooligan - all this is possible with the right attitude and careful preparation.

Thanks to professional photography, a man has a unique opportunity to choose the most inspiring shots from a series of high-quality non-standard photographs.

Basic photography poses

Sometimes it can be quite difficult to find suitable poses for a photo shoot, especially if an impatient representative of the stronger half of humanity is in front of the camera.

An excellent option would be to show the man a list of poses for shooting so that he can imagine what will be required of him. Thanks to this, he will gain calm and confidence, will be able to get rid of stiffness, and the photographs will come out relaxed and exciting.


The following are the basic poses for shooting that will allow any man to appear more advantageous and successful in the photo:

    When setting the pose, it is advisable to transfer the bulk of the body weight to one leg or to both legs at the same time.

    To emphasize broad shoulders and muscles, the person being photographed should turn their shoulders towards the lens, and, on the contrary, their hips should be slightly turned away from the camera.

    The easiest way to pose for a portrait is with your upper body with your arms crossed and your shoulders slightly back.

    Crossed arms look great when shooting full body. In this case, it is desirable that the man put one foot in front of the other.


  • Throwing a jacket or other outerwear over your shoulder, hooking your finger into a pocket, and crossing your legs can create a great shot.

  • As a rule, the model's gaze is directed in the same direction in which his face is directed.

  • Particular attention is paid to posture, regardless of whether the model is sitting or standing. A man must keep his back straight to look good in photographs.

  • The classic pose in which a man sits with his legs crossed and his body slightly leaned forward.

  • Full-length photographs are excellent, where a man leans his back or side against a wall or tree. Alternatively, the model can bend one leg at the knee or cross both legs, then the photo will turn out to be more relaxed.

  • Photographs in nature where a man simply sits or reclines on the ground are very interesting and direct. You can lean on your elbow and bend one leg at the knee. Or even lie on your back and put your hands behind your head.


  • It's easy enough to pose for a business photo shoot. A man can sit comfortably in a chair, cross his legs and place them on the desktop, or lean his hip on the edge of the table, cross his legs, and place his arms bent at the elbows on his chest.

These poses can be used as starting points when shooting. But it is worth remembering that any pose can be adjusted depending on the circumstances of the shooting and the scenario.

Hi all! Today we will begin a series of highlights of posing in photography. The first thing we will tell you about will be male poses.
Men feel less comfortable posing, so it's important to include them in the process from the beginning to get good results. A man feels confident if he knows what he needs to do and what results to expect. Familiarize him with the possible positions and together choose the most interesting and comfortable ones.

So, examples of posing for men:

The simplest option is a portrait with arms crossed on the chest. You should pull your shoulders back and tighten your abdominal muscles.

The following body position option is great for full-length photography. Legs should be crossed. For the man in the photo to look natural, the weight should be transferred to one of the legs.

To convey the impression of naturalness in this pose, relaxation of the arms and torso is important.

This option is suitable for most men who don’t know where to put their hands.

A good effect of the previous pose will be given by clothing thrown over the shoulder, held by one of the hands.

A good option for a sitting man.

Another option for a vertical pose is a person leaning on a wall.

A pose with a wall that works well for formal shots.

A formal pose that is ideally complemented by a folder or laptop.

Semi-relaxed pose - a man sitting on a table.

Classic formal table portrait. It's better if the table isn't empty. Do not forget that your hands should not be tense. Let them create a feeling of softness and smooth lines.

Variant of posture at the table.

A man turned away from the table.

An option combining crossed arms and the atmosphere of the workplace.

Interesting photographs are obtained when relying on foreign objects.

A man sitting in a work chair with his legs crossed creates an atmosphere of ease.

This pose is most suitable for home photography or outdoor photo shoots.

Variation of the previous pose.

Another option for filming outdoors.

Pose option for informal photos.

Experiment and you will definitely succeed! In order not to miss other useful tips, subscribe to the email newsletter by filling out the form below.

Now let's look at poses for men's photos. It is known that men are more constrained when shooting than women. In connection with this feature, the photographer has an added task - to help the man relax and behave naturally in order to get good shots. Preparing for a photo shoot is always a pleasantly exciting moment. There is a little secret - you need to include the person being filmed in the filming process. It has been noted that a man feels calmer if he knows the plan of action. Showing this cheat sheet to your model is a great way to prepare the subject for the photo shoot and help him feel more relaxed and confident. So, let's look at the basic poses for men 1. The most common pose for a male portrait: with arms crossed. Pay attention to two things: your shoulders should be straightened, your stomach should be tucked. 2. When you need to shoot at full height, a pose with crossed arms works well. Also ask your model to cross her legs one in front of the other. Make sure that your body weight is predominantly on one leg, otherwise the pose will be unsightly and uncomfortable.
3. Most often during photography the question arises: “Where should I put my hands?” Actually, the solution is quite simple. There are four basic hand placements that can be used in any combination. 1. Hanging freely on the sides of the body. 2. Hands on hips 3. Hands in pockets 4. Arms crossed over chest In addition, your arms should be relaxed, no need to tense your muscles (unless you are doing bodybuilding).
4. This is a natural position for a man to stand. Men do have issues with hand placement when photographing, so the option of keeping all or part of them in side pockets can help achieve a natural and relaxed pose.
One of the variations of the previous pose. You can hold your clothes over your shoulder, the thumb of your other hand rests on your trouser pocket, and your legs are crossed. This pose works very well.
6. And this is an option for a pose in a sitting position. The ankle of one leg is placed on the knee of the other, the pose is natural and relaxed. The shooting point should be slightly elevated above the model's eyes.
7. Leaning on the wall is another option for a pose for a full-length portrait.
8. Pose with your side shoulder leaning against the wall. Works very well for both impromptu and formal portraits.
9. A fairly simple pose for an official or business portrait. An object in the hand (for example, a laptop, a book, or even tools) can work as a sign indicating the occupation of the person being portrayed.
10. Contrary to popular belief, filming a person partially crouched on a table is absolutely normal. In a formal portrait, this pose gives some rigidity.
11. This is a simple pose for a person sitting at a table. In order to show the model's occupation, you can include some objects on the table in the frame that will act as signs.
12. A slight change from the previous pose. Very suitable for formal or business portraits.
13. If you need to show a person’s workplace not in front, but behind him (for example, a table), take a photo from the other side. The result is a formal, yet open portrait.
14. A person leans on a table with his arms crossed. You can also place some work furnishings on the table so that they indicate the profession of the person being portrayed.
15. Making a portrait more attractive and interesting is quite simple by using a chair as a support. Very well suited for photographing creative people in their work environment.
16. The man sat comfortably in the chair. Works well when shooting official and business portraits.
17. Simple and natural pose of a person sitting on the ground. Variations of the pose can be created by changing the shooting directions and angles.
18. Another option for a sitting pose. Suitable for outdoor shooting.
19. A simple and relaxed pose for a seated person.
20. Relaxed informal pose. A person sits with his back resting on a wall or some object.
21. Finally, let your subject be the main character in the frame. Don't be afraid to crop tighter, even if it cuts off your forehead and chin.
It should be noted that these pose templates are intended as a starting point only. There are no standards, and each pose can and should be adjusted depending on the shooting conditions and scenario. You don't have to follow them literally. In fact, all that is needed for a good portrait is the simplicity and naturalness of a person. Simple backgrounds, simple clothes, simple poses and natural emotions.

It is always necessary to prepare for a photo shoot, think about images and poses in advance, besides, it is always easier for men to work when they know what is expected of them and what they should do. The presence of cheat sheets in a male photo shoot is always welcome, and always has a positive effect on the result
So let's look at some simple example poses for men.

1. A very simple pose. We photograph the upper body. Arms crossed, shoulders slightly forward, stomach tucked.

2. We take full-length photographs. The arms are crossed, as in the previous example, one leg extends slightly behind the other. Weight is transferred to both legs.


3. Answering the eternal question “Where should I put my hands?”, we offer you the following options.

1. The hand hangs freely to the side;
2. Hands on hips;
3.In pockets;
4. Both arms are crossed on the chest.


4. We take full-length photographs, thumbs in pockets.


5. The same position, but you can throw your outerwear over your shoulder with one hand and leave the other in your pocket.


6. Sitting pose. Arms are crossed, the ankle of one leg rests on the knee of the other leg. Try to photograph a little from above so that the legs do not appear huge.


7. You can lean a little against the wall.


8. We photograph against the wall, the model seems to be slightly propping up the wall.


9. Good pose for commercial photography. The model is holding in her hands an object that characterizes her type of employment.


10. Sitting on a table pose is also good for formal and commercial photography.


11. The pose, sitting at the table, is perfect for illuminating the type of human activity.


12. The same position at the table, but slightly change the position of the hand.


13. Pose at the table, but shot from the other side.


14. Pose at the table, the model crossed her arms and rested her elbows on the table. It is also well suited for illuminating the type of human activity.


15. Full-length pose. A man stands near his workplace, leaning one hand on a chair.


16. Sitting on a chair, one leg on top of the other. Free, relaxed pose.


17. Natural posture of a person sitting on the ground.


18. Another option for a pose on the ground, in this pose, the main thing is not to move your arms too far from the body.


19. Relaxed pose while sitting on the floor.


20. A person is sitting on the ground, leaning against a wall or any other object.


21. Close-up portrait. Don't be afraid to take portraits up close.

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