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10 Photo Style Poses for Men: Classic & Unusual

Zoey Fawell
There are many photo style poses for men that you can use to take attractive classical or fashionable male portraits regardless of the model’s age, shape or size. Starting with relaxed seated poses to all sorts of leaning ones, the list here includes a variety of options that help present men in the best ways possible.
The first thing you have to remember that men don’t feel as comfortable as women when being photographed. So, it’s very important to make them feel relaxed and confident before and during the photo shoot. Only then can you achieve the best results.

1. Looking into Camera (Close-Up)

Probably the best headshot poses for male portraits involve men simply looking into camera. Men typically feel nervous in front of camera regardless of the pose.
If you want your model to feel comfortable, just take a couple of close-up shots with focus on eyes. Ask the model what facial expression feels the most natural to him so you can figure out what expression suits his individuality the best.
Alternatively, you can begin with a sullen/fearful face then switch to a neutral expression, then a barely-noticeable smirk, and end with a full-fledged smile. This way, you’ll quickly determine what facial expressions are the most fitting for the model.

2. Add His Favorite Prop

Asking your model to take something in his hand can do wonders, making him look more confident and natural. You have to make sure that the prop you choose is proper for the photo.
Another benefit of using a prop is that it can help you come up with new male pose ideas. For instance, a chair can be used for leaning, semi-kneeling, resting the model’s foot, or spinning for a dynamic shot.
Remember that a prop should never overshadow a model and attract all the attention regardless of what photo poses for men you try. Look at the example above to see how seamlessly the prop was incorporated into the scene.
It’s not gaudy and doesn’t immediately grab the eye but rather serves to make the portrait more authentic.

3. Hands

One of the most attractive poses isn’t one that focuses on the model’s face or abs. We think the coolest and most interesting pose is the one that only features the model’s hand and a watch.
Hands are great at conveying sense of strength, resilience, and character. Tell the model to interact with his watch or cufflink or use similar prop. Don’t go overboard with skin retouching during the photo editing stage so that a viewer can appreciate the scars, veins or skin marks on the model’s hands as they are crucial for telling a story.

4. Arms Crossed

It’s a common belief that crossed arms create a psychological barrier between people so it’s generally not recommended to pose in such a way. However, why not try it anyway and see how it goes?
After all, it’s considered to be a classic male pose for a reason. Moreover, knowing where to place his arms will help your model feel more comfortable and avoid awkward poses. Remember that masculinity isn’t conveyed only with the eyes, but with hands as well.
The provided example shows how good a photo can look when the scene is limited to the man’s upper body. However, that’s not the only way to do this pose. Before taking a photo, make sure the man’s shoulders are kept back while his core muscles are active. This way a model will stand straight and won’t appear slouched.

5. The Back Lean

Such poses are used in almost all photoshoots as they’re incredibly simple to set up and give great results. Ask a model to lean against a tree, post, or wall and put his hands in his pockets or fold his arms, and you’ll get a fantastic shot.
Tell a model to avoid looking at the camera to help him relax as you take a couple of candid photos with a more authentic feel. If the subject looks closely at the scene in front of him, he will appear more thoughtful, making for a terrific male portrait.

6. The Side Lean

We highly recommend this male pose as it helps a subject take the stress off his body. Models, especially inexperienced ones, often suffer from leg stiffness during long photoshoots.
Thus, if you ask a man to lean against something as you can see above, you’ll allow him to change his weight distribution and look more laid back. Alternatively, you can tell a model to rest his shoulder against a tree or wall. Either way, the final effect will be more or less the same.

7. Leaning on a Chair or Table

Making a portrait more attractive and interesting is a rather simple task. You simply need to use a chair as a prop. Tables and window sills are also good options for this purpose.
Feel free to experiment with this a bit: ask the model to stand so that he rests his thigh against the table’s edge while his legs are crossed. We consider such cool photo poses for guys to be the best choice for full-body shots.
Remember to make sure the subject’s facial expression is appropriate for the chosen pose before taking a photo.

8. Walking Towards Camera

Capturing motion needs skill from a photographer, a subject, and teamwork between the two. However, movement shots are worth all trouble and attempts as they make photos alive and captivating.
Tell a model to walk towards you while turning his headin different directions. A proper posture and a poker face are crucial here if you want a good-looking photo. You can keep the man’s hands busy by asking him to hold a jacket or other prop to feel less awkward.
Use a side light as shown, to make the photo even more dynamic. Such lighting creates beautiful long shadows that make a portrait more eye-catching and contrast.

9. Hands in Pockets

Usually, putting hands in pockets is considered rude. That’s not the case when it comes to posing for camera!
If you’ll ask a man to put his hands partially or completely into the front pockets of his pants, you’re guaranteed to receive a natural, relaxed pose.
This pose is usually done in one of two ways. The first option involves the model holding his fists on belt-level while the thumbs are in the pockets. In the second option, the palms are inside the pockets while only the thumbs are visible.

10. Seated

If you’re searching for classic men poses, you can never go wrong with seated position. Whether the model is sitting on an armchair, stool, bench, steps, or anything, this pose allows him to relax, while you capture his great looks and the scenery around.
Don’t forget to change the man’s outfit according to the scene and always try to get the right angle. When the model is sitting on something, we suggest lowering the camera so that the lens is about at the same height as the man’s eyes.