As an award winning photographer, I often say that posing is the number one thing that makes people look great in photos. To me, man portrait photography posing is significantly different to that of woman portrait photography. First of all, men and women have different body shapes. Secondly, should we wish to display masculinity and femininity, the visual impact we try to create will be different.
Man portrait photography
Typically, poses for men emphasise strength, power, and angularity. Poses often focus on creating strong, defined lines that make the subject appear broader and more dominant. Some of the useful tips relevant in posing man portrait photography posing involve:
- Broad shoulders, square posture, and sharp angles are commonly highlighted, as broud shoulders are often associated with masculine strength.
- We want to convey confidence with male posures and expressions.
- Poses of male portraits often occupy more space, reflecting strength and dominance.
- Avoid any overly delicate or unnatural poses.
Classic man portrait photography poses
Let’s look at some of the classic man photography poses that work for most:
1. Hands in Pockets
This is one of the most common and effective poses for men. It exudes effortless confidence, ease, and masculinity. The subject can appear either formal or relaxed. The hands can be in trousers pockets or coat pockets, whichever looks more natural.
2. Crossing arms
Naturally this pose conveys power and confidence, and gives the impression that the subject is in charge. When posing male portraits in this pose, pay attention to the placement of their hands that they don’t look forced or unnatural.
3. Leaning
A man casually leaning against a wall or surface gives a squared shape of shoulders, while creating a more relaxed vibe.
I will ask the male subject to stand with one shoulder against the wall, keeping his hands either in his pockets or resting by his sides. This gives a natural, candid feel to the portrait.
4. Seated pose
Sitting poses are great ways for men in the portraits to take up space, hence exuding confidence and creating angular shape. They are often flattering to the subjects while creating a more relaxed, approachable look.
5. Looking away
While looking into the camera create eye contacts and engage with the audience, looking away can create a stylish and confident look.
6. In action pose
In action poses like tidying collars or cuffs, putting on watches, straightening coats, give a sense of purpose and an editorial feel to the male photography portrait. The playful actions can also be displayed with use of props and settings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with what is available on the photo shoot set!
Reference: Different styles of professional portraits
Various Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are just as important as body poses. With men, you may want to evoke strength, thoughtfulness, or relaxation. Here are a few tips to guide facial expressions:
- Subtle Smile: Encourage a small, closed-mouth smile for a calm and composed look.
- Serious Look: A serious, intense expression or the sense of an attitude can add an element of drama.
- Genuine Laughter: If you’re looking for a more candid, approachable photo, try cracking a joke to evoke genuine laughter from your subject.
Breaking the rule
While the above are general guidelines, don’t be afraid to break the rules. With gender fluidity, we might also want to build in femininity and curves in man portrait photography. Below there are some examples. While photographing men and planning photoshoot with male subjects, do investigate their styles and see how they would like to be represented.
Man portrait photography dressing and props
These items generally work well for man portrait photography:
- Suits
- Shirts
- Coats and jackets
- Knitwear
- Smart looking T-shirts
Of course the suitable dress code comes down to the subject’s personal wardrobe and dress sense also!
Reference: What too wear for personal brand photography
Elaborate settings can give rise to strong male portraits, while simple photography studio background can help the subject capture the main attention. It will be best to understand the purpose of the male portrait photography outcome and the subjects’ preferences.
Reference: Best LinkedIn profile pictures
Male portrait photography in London
As an experienced and published portrait photographer in London, it is among my expertise to flatter my subjects and help them stand out in their portrait photos through best posing. If you are interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you!
You can also see more of my portrait photography gallery.
Reference: Business portraits for entrepreneurs
