If there’s one part of a wedding or similar event that many men dread, it’s when they have to stand there awkwardly, gawping at the photographer as the photographer tries to capture the magic of the day.
Wedding and fashion photographers cost a bomb, and they’re generally amazing at their jobs, but even the greatest photographer in the world can’t make you look good if you haven’t learned how to pose.
The good news is, it doesn’t take much to master stylish photo poses. And while you may not look quite like a male model, with the right stance, you will be proud of your photos and won’t be embarrassed to show them off.
All it takes is reading up on what to do and a few practice sessions in the mirror, and you’re set.
So, if your photos are stiffer than the Terminator stuck in an ice age, here’s what you need to know.
Just about all male poses require a few things. Before you start plotting which formal poses you’ll use in your engagement or wedding photos, master these basics, for interesting lines and a great photo every time.
To take great photos, you need a strong stance. It makes you look grounded and stable rather than timid and shy. For any classic pose, start with a strong stance by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your toes turned slightly outward (but not too far).
To add instant interest to your stance and appear more relaxed, shift your hips. Stand with both your feet carrying equal weight, then shift the weight to one of your legs, and your body will naturally adopt this pose. You’ll know you’re doing it correctly when you have one straightened leg and one leg ever so slightly bent.
When having your photo taken, you may find that you tense your upper body, which results in a stiff and unnatural look. Before any photo, check in with your shoulders and, if they’re tense, relax them.
Knowing what to do with your hands is one of the trickiest parts of mastering male model poses. If you let your arms simply hang, it ups the awkwardness factor by 1,000%.
Give your hands something to do. There are several good options:
We’ve all seen those funny videos where men take an exaggerated breath in, puffing out their chests and sucking in the stomach. The thing is, this technique actually works, but the knack lies in keeping it subtle.
Just before the shutter clicks, take a normal breath and hold it for a few seconds. This will broaden your chest slightly and flatten your stomach without looking unnatural.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to work on some more formal poses.
Male models have a whole arsenal of poses under their belts that they can move into at any moment. There are tons to choose from, and depending on the occasion, some will be more suitable than others.
We recommend mastering around half a dozen poses at first. You can always expand your range as you become more confident.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to work on some more formal poses.
Male models have a whole arsenal of poses under their belts that they can move into at any moment. There are tons to choose from, and depending on the occasion, some will be more suitable than others.
We recommend mastering around half a dozen poses at first. You can always expand your range as you become more confident.
Leaning is one of the best male poses to pick up if you feel uncomfortable having your photo taken. There’s something about having solid support that makes you feel more at ease.
Either lean your back or side against a wall or door, or lean your arm on a countertop or bar. For extra interest, consider:
This male pose is extremely versatile and works for many different situations.
Traditionally, a photographer might have the model sit on a chair or step and lean forward with their elbows resting on their thighs, hands clasped. The model might also rest their elbow on their knee and cup their chin in their hand.
However, sitting astride a backward chair makes for an interesting pose, too. You can also sit on the floor, raise a knee, and rest an arm on it.
This is the fail-safe, works-for-every-situation pose.
For best results, tilt your body slightly to the side and face the camera. Follow the basic steps above to get your posture right and slip a hand into your pocket. The other hand should hang loosely by your side.
For a more sophisticated variation, place both hands inside your pockets, or, with one hand in the pocket, drape a jacket over your shoulder and hold it with the other hand.
This similar yet distinct pose works just as well as the hands-in-the-pocket pose. Adjusting your cuffs, lapels, collar, etc., all give you something to do with your hands while retaining a relaxed and cool air.
The Contrapposto pose is essentially what Michelangelo’s David is doing and makes for a classic dynamic look. On the other hand, this is one of the most complicated formal poses to master, so make sure you practice it ahead of time.
Place most of your weight on one straightened leg and bend the other at the knee. You can also place the weightless foot behind the other. Then, twist your shoulders and arms slightly off-axis to create an “S” shape.
If you’re stuck, look at examples online and copy them.
Walking keeps your body looking natural yet dynamic. Start a short distance away and walk toward the camera. To add variety, turn your head to look at different objects as you pass by.
When it comes to group photos, you may think you need some formal, choreographed group poses that make for dynamic images containing multiple male subjects. However, rather than strike a conventional pose, group together, have a conversation and a laugh, and forget that the camera is there. You’ll get some awesome natural shots.
Adopting one of the best and most natural poses on the planet won’t do you any good if your facial expression looks like you’re stuck in a wind tunnel.
To achieve relaxed and attractive facial expressions, try:
A great-looking casual pose is to have the model lean against a wall. Additionally, having the male subject place their hands in their pocket can up the casual factor.
A guy can look good in photos by remaining as relaxed as possible. Find something to do with the hands, like holding a jacket or placing them in a pocket. Tilting the body slightly away from the camera and looking forward also works well.
Of course, guys should smile in photos if appropriate. For best results, tilt your head slightly away from the camera to accentuate the jawline. Wait for a moment when you are genuinely smiling. It helps to have an amusing conversation with someone while you’re posing.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and feet turned out slightly, turn away from the camera a little, tilt your hips, and relax the shoulders. Breathe normally and look just above or to the side of the camera lens.
While genetics certainly plays a part in how photogenic a person is, a lot of it has to do with how at ease they are in front of the camera. Feeling confident and learning how to pose will increase how photogenic you become by more than you think.
Now that your poses are more suave than James Bond in a tux, what else do you need to look the part?
Check out our other articles on The Groom Club. We’ve got tons of tips on how to feel your best on the big day. From what to wear to folding a pocket square and picking the right color for your suit, we’ll ensure you banish the awkward and embrace the awesome.
