Best Photoshoot Poses for Boys: Whether you’re capturing the essence of a male model or guiding a shy individual through their first portrait photography session, this comprehensive guide on male poses is here to assist you.
As a photographer, there will be instances where you aim to emphasize the subject’s masculinity, while in other situations, your goal may be to capture more natural-looking poses. Regardless of the scenario, it’s beneficial to have a repertoire of reliable male modeling poses in your toolkit. These poses can serve as a source of inspiration and instill confidence when providing directions.
If you’re seeking general ideas for striking poses in photographs, this guide is a valuable resource. So without further ado, let’s delve into the tips!
50+ Best Poses for Boys & Male
To provide you with a diverse range of male model poses, I’ve curated a collection of images showcasing both standing and seated positions. Some of these poses may already be familiar to you from typical modeling portfolios or photo shoots, while others may offer a fresh perspective.
Regardless of your experience, I believe these photos will serve as a valuable resource, inspiring you with new ideas for model poses and guiding you in directing your subjects’ body language during your upcoming photo shoot.
It’s important to remember that these poses serve as a guide. As the photographer, you possess the ability to infuse your own creativity into each pose, allowing them to reflect your unique style. This creative touch is crucial in capturing truly distinctive and individualistic photos.
1. Walking Style Poses
Including walking poses, especially when directed towards the camera, is a popular choice among male models due to its inherent naturalness. While this shot is commonly preferred in formal settings, it also blends well in more casual environments.
Without a doubt, the walking pose should be among your top choices when seeking a dependable street pose for male subjects.
This pose works wonders, particularly for individuals who find it challenging to relax in front of the camera. To begin, have your model start from a moderate distance and casually walk towards you. The movement itself will assist them in loosening up, resulting in a series of captivating and dynamic images.
To add an unconventional touch to your portrait poses, you can also experiment with having the subject walk in various directions (e.g., past you). However, exercise caution in determining where their gaze should be directed.
While incorporating walking into a photograph may appear somewhat cliché, it remains a popular fashion pose for a good reason—it exudes a sense of naturalness.
2. The Lean Poses
The lean pose is a remarkably versatile option among male poses, offering both a relaxed and expressive demeanor. This pose can be effortlessly achieved even when working with individuals who are not professional models.
Typically, the lean pose involves positioning the back or shoulder against a wall. Alternatively, you can instruct your model to lean onto objects such as a bar table or a railing, adding variety to the composition.
For a more intense and powerful vibe, encourage your model to maintain straight legs while leaning. Conversely, for a casual and laid-back feel, suggest lifting one leg and resting the foot against the surface they are leaning on.
Although the example portraits above showcase models leaning against a wall, the possibilities for this pose are virtually limitless. You can incorporate various elements such as a tree, a railing, or even a flagpole. Furthermore, this style of photo pose offers great flexibility when capturing images from different angles, allowing you to explore a multitude of creative options.
3. Hand On Hip Poses for boys
Credit: Andrew Dick (left)/ Teryani Riggs (right)
The hand on hip pose, although considered a common male photography pose, possesses surprising versatility. It offers several variations that can significantly impact the overall look and feel of the image. You can experiment with facing the hand backwards or forwards, choosing to keep it open or closed, and exploring different placements on the hip.
By playing with these elements, you can achieve a range of outcomes, from a relaxed and casual appearance (as depicted in the image on the right) to a more poised and intense look (as seen in the image on the left), or anything in between. For optimal results, position the camera slightly below the model’s eye level, ensuring a flattering perspective.
4. Adjusting the Wardrobe Poses for male
The Wardrobe Adjust pose, beloved by wedding photographers, introduces an element of intimacy and liveliness to portrait photography.
There are various ways to execute this pose, such as having the subject fix his tie, pop his collar, button his cufflinks, adjust a piece of jewelry, or touch his hat or watch. The model can direct their gaze towards the camera, focus on the adjustment they’re making, or look off to the side. Feel free to experiment and discover what works best for each situation.
It’s important to note that the adjustment doesn’t necessarily have to be a literal one. It’s the motion itself that adds intrigue and dynamism to the image. So, let your creativity flow and explore the possibilities this pose has to offer.
5. Jacket Over the Shoulder Poses
Male model poses | Credit: Teryani Riggs (left)/ Hejaz Memon (right)
The Jacket Over the Shoulder pose, commonly seen in fashion magazines, is an excellent choice among male poses to infuse portraits with an air of nonchalance or “attitude.”
The Jacket Over the Shoulder pose can be employed with a model in a stationary position or while in motion. In terms of gaze, the model can either maintain direct eye contact with the camera or look away.
This classic pose is particularly effective for outdoor photoshoots involving males, as it introduces a sense of dynamic movement and action to rugged scenes. However, it is essential to ensure that the jacket complements the model’s outfit and aligns with the desired overall aesthetic you wish to achieve.
6. Hand In Pockets Style Poses
Credit: Allef Vinicius (left)/ Dana Jm (right)
The Hands in Pockets pose complements various standing poses, including The Lean, and allows the model to find a comfortable position for their hands, offering a range of expressions and moods.
This pose also serves as an effective technique to help the subject relax during the photoshoot, particularly if they appear stiff or uncomfortable. However, it’s important to pay attention to the overall body posture, as hands in pockets can sometimes convey a overly casual vibe that may not be suitable for certain types of photoshoots.
Hands in Pockets is a classic and versatile pose for men that can be applied to various styles, whether it’s for a product advertisement or a heavy metal album cover. You have the flexibility to use the front or rear pockets, and choose between one hand or both. Just remember to ensure that the thumb is hooked outside the pocket to avoid the hands looking like they’re “disappearing” into the pockets.
7. Arms Crossed Style Photoshoot For Man
Credit: Alex Perri (left)/ Ali Morshedlou (right)
Standing with the arms crossed is another pose that works well for inexperienced models. Depending on the facial expression, it can convey a sense of authority, edginess, defiance, or overall expressiveness.
Similar to the Hands in Pockets pose, this stance can be combined with various other sitting or standing poses. It also serves as a reliable go-to option when the model is uncertain about hand placement.
However, it’s important to be mindful that crossing the arms can sometimes create a perception of being closed off or unapproachable, potentially sending the wrong message in certain situations.
8. Hand On Chest Style Poses
Credit: Salah Amrani (left)/ Omid Armin (right)
The Hand on Chest pose offers a touch of vulnerability and presents a slightly more open demeanor compared to the Holding One Arm pose.
To achieve this pose, instruct your model to place one hand on their opposite shoulder. This placement not only creates intriguing lines and angles but also infuses the image with a sense of introspection and mystery.
Additionally, you can experiment with variations by asking your model to hold onto a prop or grasp their clothing, further enhancing the composition and adding visual interest.
9. Hands in Hair Style Pose
Credit: Bruna Lima (left)/ Lesly Juarez (right)
The Hands In Hair pose remains a beloved choice in the fashion photography industry. Encouraging your model to place their hands in their hair or run their fingers through it can result in captivating and visually striking photographs.
Photo Credit: Omid Armin
10. The Thinker Style for Boys
Credit: Kazi Mizan (left)/ Raghav Bhadoriya (right)
Drawing inspiration from the renowned sculpture by Auguste Rodin, the Thinker pose presents a variation on Leaning Forward.
In this pose, the model positions their elbow on their knee, while resting their chin on their inward-turned hand. It serves as an excellent choice for male model poses, particularly for capturing more serious and contemplative portraits. The Thinker pose is commonly associated with thoughtfulness and can even evoke a sense of heroism.
11. Knee Up (Sitting) Style for Man
Credit: Sumit Kapoor
To achieve this pose, instruct your model to sit on the floor, wall, or bench and bring one knee up. Then, guide them to rest their elbow on the knee while ensuring their chest is open and facing towards the camera to some extent. The hand can be positioned on the chin, in the hair, or placed behind the head, allowing for variations in the pose and adding a touch of intrigue to the composition.
12. The Backward Chair Photoshoot
Credit: Christian Buehner (left)/ Marllon Cristhian Barbosa (right)
The pose described here is a popular choice among male models, often seen in various contexts ranging from album covers to senior portraits to Star Trek. It exudes a relaxed self-assurance and, depending on the execution, can convey a sense of independence or rebelliousness.
To achieve this pose, start by having the subject sit on a chair with the backrest turned around. They can then rest their elbows, hands, or even their chin on the back of the chair. There are numerous possibilities to explore, such as crossing the arms, placing the chin on the hand, or touching the face or neck.
While this pose is considered a classic and cool option for male photography, it is crucial to add a unique twist to avoid a generic look. While commonly utilized in indoor photoshoots, you can also venture outdoors and incorporate the chair into the setting for a truly distinctive and memorable outcome.
13. Touching the Face or Neck
Credit: Kazi Mizan (left)/ Bibek Thakuri (right)
Placing the hand on the back of the neck can create out a sultry look or make an image look more candid, depending again on the facial expression.
14. Knee Up (Standing) Photoshot for Boys
Credit: Chander Mohan
To capture a pose brimming with relaxed confidence, incorporate an element for your model to rest their foot on while standing. This can be a chair, a stump, or even a half-wall – utilize whatever is available.
This particular pose works exceptionally well for tall individuals, as you can leverage their height by elevating one knee, adding an intriguing dimension to the pose.
The positioning of the knee and the direction of the gaze significantly influence the overall mood of the look, so feel free to experiment with various options. When the knee is raised sufficiently, you can also suggest your model lean an elbow upon it, further enhancing the pose’s dynamic appeal.
15. Crossed Legs Style Poses
Credit: Vishan Lakhiani (left)/ Yogendra Singh (right)
The Crossed Legs pose can be approached in a couple of ways. When sitting, having one leg crossed over the other with the ankle resting on the knee creates a business casual look.
On the other hand, sitting cross-legged on a floor, bed, sofa, or any flat surface offers a more care-free and spontaneous feel.
Regardless of the specific variation, the Crossed Legs pose is generally considered one of the simpler male poses to work with.
16. Squatting Poses for Boys
Credit: Wallace Chuck (left)/ Luis Quintero (right)
To add a touch of uniqueness to your male model poses, consider having them squat. This pose is typically executed with a hint of attitude, but it can also convey thoughtfulness or joy depending on the desired mood.
Squatting exemplifies the notion that dynamic postures often yield the best photos for men. While standing straight can be suitable for certain shots, incorporating a leaning or curved posture tends to enhance the overall visual appeal in others.
When utilizing this pose, it’s essential to pay special attention to the background in your shot, as it becomes more prominent in this stance compared to some of the other poses.
17. Props Style For Girlfriend
Credit: unknown
While not a specific pose, incorporating props into your male model shots can greatly enhance the versatility of your portrait photography. The range of props you can utilize is vast, spanning from items they hold in their hands, such as flowers, to larger objects like cars, skateboards, or basketballs.
Props work exceptionally well for prom poses for guys since you may already have flowers or a corsage at your disposal. If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right placement for your hands in a selfie or portrait, props provide a natural and effortless solution.
The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination. Just ensure that the chosen prop aligns with the desired look and complements the model’s wardrobe, maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing composition.
18. Cool Poses For Boys
Poses for Men – Desclaimer
Always keep in mind that the key to achieving successful results lies in actively engaging with your subject, aiming to elicit natural and authentic poses throughout your photoshoot.
While it is necessary to provide guidance and direction to your subject initially, it is equally important to establish a comfortable and genuine interaction that helps them relax and feel at ease.
I trust that these male model poses have provided you with fresh ideas to enhance your photography endeavors.
