For over ten years, I’ve been capturing people through my lens, and a common sentiment I hear, especially from men, is “I’m just not photogenic.” But here’s the secret: often, it’s not about being unphotogenic; it’s about not knowing how to pose. Many have simply had unfortunate experiences in front of the camera. My key takeaway from photographing men is simple: they want to look cool.
Whether it’s for your wedding day, a professional headshot, or just a casual picture, these posing tips will help you project confidence and masculinity in every frame. If you’re a man looking to enhance your photos, or you want to guide men to look their best, you’re in the right place!
Let’s get started!
Establish a Strong Base: Feet Placement
Just like building a house, posing starts from the ground up. Your stance is crucial. Position your feet shoulder-width apart – comfortable yet solid. In posing women, we often aim for an ‘S’ curve, emphasizing femininity. For men, think of the letter ‘A’ – strong and stable. Critically, ensure your toes point outward, never inward. Inward toes can introduce an unwanted curve, unintentionally feminizing your posture.
Pro Tip: Shift your weight subtly onto the leg further from the camera. This will naturally introduce a slight bend in your front knee while keeping your back leg straight, adding dimension without stiffness.
A groom in a suit confidently awaits his bride, showcasing posing advice for men from an Orange County wedding photographer.
Commanding Posture: Head, Shoulders, Spine, and Chest
Building on the ‘A’ stance, let’s address your torso. Straighten your spine – this is key to masculine posing. As you straighten up, you’ll naturally find your chest expanding slightly forward and your shoulders subtly moving back. Embrace this! An open chest conveys strength and confidence, while relaxed shoulders prevent a rigid appearance.
Once your torso is positioned correctly, focus on your head and chin. We’ll delve into chin placement shortly, but regarding your head, avoid excessive tilting. Often, when photographing couples or grooms with family, men tend to over-tilt their heads.
While head tilts can express affection in person, they can appear feminine or childlike in photographs. For a masculine, assertive look, keep your head either upright or slightly tilted towards the lower shoulder if your shoulders aren’t level.
A well-dressed man confidently poses before his Los Angeles wedding, demonstrating men's posing tips from a Southern California wedding photographer.
Refine Your Profile: Chin Forward Technique
Now, let’s clarify “chin forward” – this is not “chin up.” Raising your chin upwards exposes unflattering angles under your jaw and directly into your nostrils. This is especially critical if you’re taller than your photographer or on higher ground. “Chin forward” involves gently extending your neck forward, just a touch. My husband jokes it feels like you’re imitating a turtle.
Among posing tips, this might feel most unnatural initially because it’s not a typical everyday posture. However, this subtle movement is transformative in photos. It elongates your neck, positions your face at a more flattering angle, and defines your jawline. Your photographer can fine-tune this with you, so don’t worry if it feels awkward at first!
A portrait of a man in a suit illustrating posing tips for men by Southern California wedding photographer Belinda Philleo.
The Decisive Role of Hands: Make or Break
Believe it or not, hands profoundly influence a photo’s overall feel. Stiff, awkward hands can make the entire image look uncomfortable. Hand positioning can even guide the viewer’s eye within the frame. Consider beauty product ads where women’s hands are often placed oddly near their faces – where fingers point, our gaze follows.
The simplest way to ensure natural-looking hands is to give them purpose. Often, only one hand needs to be actively engaged, while the other can relax. This could mean resting a hand on a railing, placing it in a pocket, or lightly holding your jacket lapel. When posing with a partner, holding hands or placing an arm around their waist or back are perfect for a natural, connected look.
A groom buttons his tuxedo jacket, embodying posing tips for men shared by Southern California wedding photographer Belinda Philleo.
Navigating Hand Placement Pitfalls: What to Avoid
If there’s one takeaway from this guide, please, avoid the ‘hands clasped over the crotch’ pose. You know the one – that ubiquitous “groomsmen pose.” Just don’t. It instantly projects defensiveness and vulnerability – the antithesis of cool and masculine. The reasons are likely self-evident. If a photographer ever directs you into this pose, politely decline. You’ll get a far more flattering photo, the photographer’s portfolio will benefit, and perhaps we can finally retire this unflattering trend.
Similarly, be mindful when placing hands in or near pockets about what you’re “framing.” It might seem humorous, but as mentioned, our eyes are drawn to where fingers point. Placing your hands fully in pockets and ensuring any visible thumbs point downwards directs the viewer’s attention upwards, towards your face, where it should be.
A groom sits confidently while his groomsmen pose behind him, illustrating posing advice for men from Southern California wedding photographer Belinda Philleo.
The Power of Professional Guidance: Trust Your Photographer
I hope these tips empower you and ease any photo-related anxieties. While understanding posing basics is beneficial, remember that posing you effectively and creating compelling images is literally your photographer’s expertise. Camera angles and the intended message of the photo can necessitate adjustments to these general tips. Even with these guidelines, a skilled photographer will fine-tune your positioning to accentuate your best features. Investing in a professional photographer is always a worthwhile decision.
I trust you found these posing tips for men helpful! If you’re interested in achieving a more feminine aesthetic in photos, be sure to explore my companion article on posing tips for women!
