Typically, a male portrait is ordered very rarely. A man is a content with any photos that were taken on the phone or during the holiday. But if you have a profile on social networks or Instagram, you want to post selfies and outfits. If we talk about your boyfriend or relative who wanted to take part in an interesting photo shoot, the following questions arise:
- What is the best way to make a beautiful image?
- What is the best way to pose for models?
- How can a male model relax and enjoy the process?
- How best do human individuality?
There are various articles, workshops, and books about female poses, because before men’s photographs were not so popular.
TOP 9 best male model poses:
- Crossed arms, straightened shoulders, and a relaxed stomach.
- Put your hands in your pockets or put them on your hips (both or one).
- Lean against the wall, look at the camera, and make a smile.
- Depending on the style of the photoshoot, apply various accessories (such as a cigar, pipe, headdress, weapon, tie, different clothes, guitar, cup, and so on.)
- When choosing an “office” image, the model can sit on the edge of the table.
- Pose on a chair at the table.
- Pose with crossed arms.
- You can lean on the back of a chair, and put one hand in your pocket.
- Show pumped muscles and beautiful shoulders if you have such data. In addition, there are different tips for male portrait poses.
1. Using the psychological characteristics of male photo shoots
All photographers should understand that guys rarely admit to being shy or stressed in front of the cameras. Many of them simply remain silent and become as serious as possible. Others, on the contrary, begin to talk a lot, constantly trying to joke.
Remember a few key points:
- Support the model’s initiative and changes in his mood or posture. Talk less, work more;
- Conversations and actions must be clear. Pay attention to interesting moments and take pictures of them;
- Each person needs to be approached differently.
Everyone will be interested to know about all the nuances of the filming process. Briefly explain what position you need to stand, whether you need to smile or be serious, and what you need a lens and a softbox for.
2. Selection of suitable characters for posing
It’s better to discuss what to expect from the shooting right away. If the client has not yet decided anything, offer him ideas from professionals and a few tricks. Options may vary:
- Indoor or outdoor photo session;
- Black and white photoshoot or street casual;
- Unusual places — a rooftop or abandoned building, a bridge, a park, a gym, next to a car, or in a garage;
- Martial arts, shooting;
- Horseback Riding;
- Fishing.
The background should be quite rough — in the form of brick, wood, stone, and steel.
3. Lean against the wall, look at the camera, and smile
A successful man is always confident in himself and has a special charm, which makes him attractive. Therefore, the job of a professional photographer is to show individual features using certain angles, poses, and lighting.
Very important features can be shown in the form of wrinkles and scars. These are the main differences between men and women. What women do not like can become a masculine feature. Clothing for this photo shoot should be as simple as possible, but at the same time more elegant, if the model does not have an individual image. Jeans, t-shirts, shirts — it’s always suitable for any place and image. In a family photo session, you can choose clothes in the same style or colors for all members.
4. Creating the image of a businessman
It is important to decide on the right clothes. It is best to select a strict office look. But accessories are also very significant. If necessary, you can use a branded watch or a leather chair. A wonderful tool is shooting the workflow itself. As if the model was caught during work. Such photos are suitable for a business profile or resume.
5. Use ideas as examples
The ideal pose for a man is with angles where there will be significantly more vertical or horizontal lines than diagonal ones. You can focus on broad shoulders and pumped-up muscles. You can turn your shoulders towards the camera, and turn your hips a little. The eyes should always be directed in the same direction as the face. Whether sitting or standing, it is important to give importance to posture.
6. In what position should the hands be?
There are different options. The first is to place your hands along the body, the second is to put one or both hands in your pockets, cross on your chest, or on your hips. It must be easy and as natural as possible.
You can also take a full-length photo with crossed arms. The model can put both hands in the pockets or hold the jacket over her shoulder. Take photos in different poses. The traditional one is where a man sits with his foot on the other’s knee. Hands can be placed on the hips or knees as relaxed as possible. A good portrait can come out when the model is leaning against the wall. You can put your hands in your pockets or use different accessories. For showiness, one leg can be bent at the knee.
Men’s posing should not have “smooth lines”, vague gestures, and enigmatic facial expressions. After all, this woman looks like a circle or an oval, and a man looks like a square, triangle, or rectangle, judging from the point of view of geometry. Most importantly, your back should always be straight!
7. Secrets of an easy and comfortable process
There should be pleasant communication with the photographer. Work should be comfortable. Therefore, it is important to find a common language right away. In order for the client not to be shy, you need to find out his psychological portrait, personal information, hobbies, work, and musical preferences.
For filming, choose a lot of different clothes, in different styles, so that there is a large selection. The same image can easily tire. Any person, in this case, will be bored. For the room, you can take about five sets of clothes. To look your age, and not older, you need to choose the right colors. Don’t decide on black and purple. A green tint can negatively affect skin tone.
8. Pay attention to imperfections
There is nothing wrong with makeup for men. Some can hide the flaws on their faces on their own. Although you can find retouching apps online, don’t neglect the services of professional stylists. Any portrait will be beautiful when the hair and skin are well-groomed and put in order.
9. Keep creativity to a minimum
There are certain rules for a male image of any age and style:
- no duck face (this is stupid even for a woman);
- clothing should not be tight;
- do not take photos in the bathroom;
- not to be photographed in underwear (even for dating sites);
- not to be photographed lying down (on the bed, on the floor, etc).
10. Try walking
This is a good male option. Simple walking is natural for all people. Everyone can walk in their own way. The gait can also be relaxed or tense. We all know how to walk, but for filming, it is necessary to walk. The main thing is that a person feels confident and beautiful.
A little guide for photographers
There are many strange facts about our bodies. One eye is larger than the other. This is a true fact. It can be tested and understood by yourself. This feature cannot be changed, but it can be corrected. The smaller eye needs to turn towards the camera.
Don’t worry about being tired and sleepy. Man omg stay up all night for different reasons. Gala fatigue can be visually removed by placing the camera higher. The person will look up with their eyes wide open.
With a round face and a large nose, a successful image can be ruined. In this case, a long focal length lens must be used. Such optics can be truly amazing.
Blinking is a natural process, but some people are insanely hard to work with. It could be due to stress or nerves. Ask the person to close their eyes for two seconds and then open them for three. These seconds will allow you to take several high-quality pictures. No one said that good photos are easy to take.
Although some of this work may seem simple. But the model and the photographer will require professionalism and patience.
If you listen to important tips, then creating a photo album will be a real pleasure — exciting and interesting. It’s like a theater. You have chosen a role, and you can become at least a pirate, at least a romantic lover. When playing for the camera, be yourself and think of something good, and then see how the photos turned out. If there are flaws that need to be corrected, use an online retouching program.
To get professionally edited photos use a high-quality retouching service RetouchMe. As the leading photo editor app for iPhone and Android, RetouchMe provides over 100 options for face and body correction, skin enhancement, object, and background manipulation. Using a professional photo editor, you will quickly and efficiently hide flaws and emphasize your natural beauty!