A lot of men are shy about having their pictures taken, even by professional photographers. Most aren’t nervous about posing for the camera, but they fear the outcome of the click. Most men, especially non-models, believe they are not photogenic.
Nonetheless, pictures are in regular demand in societies today. You will need lit photographs of yourself for your social media profile and other important tasks. Aside from this, you will also need them for memory’s sake along the lane.
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Here we have provided well-detailed and concise information on how you can pose and look better in photos.
The way you pose in a photo can make or break your appearance. So, it is important to know the tricks of the trade when it comes to posing and looking better in photos. Thus, here are a few things you can do to always appear stunning in pictures!
Smize
Supermodel Tyra Lynne Banks, also known as BanX, defined Smize to mean smiling with the eyes. Smize is another genuine way to smile without turning up the corners of your mouth and flashing your teeth when posing for photos. Unfortunately, a lot of men either forget or do not know how to smize!
According to research, smize is a form of non-verbal communication. Basically, it is a sweet way of slaying or talking to your viewers without opening your lips! An esthetically pleasing smile is not dependent on components such as tooth position, size, shape, and color but also on your overall facial expressions when posing. Therefore, try to smize!
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
How to smize? You can practically learn how to smize in this article.
Pull Your Shoulders Back Slightly
Another way to bring out your masculine features with ease and look better in photos is to pull your shoulders backward slightly. To achieve this, point your feet toward the camera and shift your torso so that your shoulders are positioned at 10 to 15 degrees out of line from your feet.
Be Confident And Patience
When posing for pictures, be patient and allow the photographers to do their work. Furthermore, you should be confident in yourself and proud of your look. While waiting, ensure:
- You are well dressed. Try not to wear too many patterns or colors, as these will distract from your face and body. Also, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or too loose for your body type because this will make it difficult for others to see your figure and shape. Furthermore, if you have tattoos, try covering them up with clothing or props – so they don’t detract from the photo’s main focus on your face and body (unless they are part of what makes you unique).
- Your outfit matches your skin tone and hair color.
Looking better in photographs requires a lot of work from all the parties involved. Therefore, be patient and confident.
Lower Your Chin
If you lift your chin when posing for pictures, you might expose the wrong angles or features of your face (such as the nostrils) to the camera. But if you keep your chin pinned down and turn your head slightly away from the camera, a good angle will be spotlighted, and your jawline will appear stronger.
Face The Camera Straight-On
While women love to appear slim, curvy, and sexy in photographs, men want to always look strong, charming, and large. Although most men do not want to appear sexy in pictures, a majority do not like looking slim- instead, they want their bodies to appear large in every click.
Thus, as the photographer, you must ensure your male models or clients pose in a way that will bring out their bodies and make them look better in the pictures.
There are two simple ways you can pose and appear large, powerful, confident, and strong in every photograph.
First, keep your shoulders squared to the camera
One major way to appear large and broad in every photograph is to squarely pose your shoulders to the camera – take a look at the image above.
If you angle your shoulders to the camera, the pictures will appear slim and a bit curvy – this might result in feminine structures. Thus, keep your shoulders relaxed and face the camera squarely.
Secondly, tighten your abdominal muscles
Another simple way to look powerful, charming, strong, and better in pictures is to tighten your abdominal muscles if you have some abs! To achieve this, slightly flatten your stomach to slim your waist and push out your chest. This can also help you straighten your overall body posture when posing for portrait shots.
Perhaps, you do not have guts (abs) or any abdominal muscles; in that case, you can simply fold your arms on your chest to push out your chest and thereby look bigger in the shots.
Forget Angles
Furthermore, forget angles when posing for pictures, especially if you want the printouts to convey power, big, confident, or even a bit confrontational. Nonetheless, we encourage you to be yourself and feel relaxed and calm.
Note: If you have a favorite angle – that always makes you look attractive in photos, you can pose it for the camera. However, do not limit yourself to a spot.
Pocket The Hands
Another way to pose and appear confident in pictures is to pocket your hands but ensure your two thumbs are placed on the line or edge of the pocket for more class and style. Ironically, only women do not know what to do with their hands when posing for the camera.
As a man, you can also place your hands on the hips, over the shoulder, to the side, running through the air, and under the chin. The unique thing is that one can combine this pose with other ideas.
Study Your Old/Previous Photos
Before posing for the camera again, we recommend taking some time to study your previous photos and see how they can help you to improve and look better in the new shots. Generally, you must pay attention to every detail!
To make sure your hands are well placed in the new clicks, you can search for old pictures where your hands and arms looked better and perfectly posed and repeat the same style.
Perhaps, you dislike a particular shot of yourself because of the way you positioned your arms, we recommend not repeating the same technique. Furthermore, check your hair to ensure stray strands aren’t blowing across your eyes and face. And be free to discuss with your photographer!
Get Creative With Photo Props
Another way to look attractive in photos is to have properties or something to hold or interact with during the shooting session. Some creative image props to use include books, magazines, or other suitable objects.
Interacting with props might convey seriousness and playfulness, depending on the objects and your mood. Nonetheless, ensure the scene does not look staged. Furthermore, do not use colorful objects – they might steal the focus from you.
Standing Pose – Lean Against A Wall
For a relaxed and expressive picture, we recommend leaning against any sturdy surface or wall for the shoots.
This will definitely make you feel calm before the camera and also gives the photographer a chance to click from several angles.
Sitting Poses: The Thinker Pose
The thinker pose, as it is commonly called, is associated with thoughtfulness and seriousness. In this pose, the male subject is seated, with his hand holding the chin while his elbow rests on the knee. It is simple and precise.
Sitting Poses: Lean Forward
Leaning forward in pictures can make you appear moody, charming, and playful, depending on your mood and state of mind. It can also make you appear tired. Nonetheless, it is a great way to tell society that men can break down too!
Walking Poses: Get Moving
Moving is a good posing idea for every man. Moving will help you to loosen up both mentally and physically. Thus, you will be relaxed and appear better in the pictures. Perhaps, it is windy; in that case, think about how you can maneuver the storm and make yourself look heroic.
Aside from that, moving or running in photographs can also reveal some manly characters and the daily tussles men face in societies.
Dressing Up
Another fantastic man posing idea you can try is pretending to be dressing up. This is one of the best stylish photo poses for men. You can pretend to button your jacket or suit, adjust your cufflinks, or roll up your sleeves. It is a great style if you want a candid manly look and vibe in your photo album.
Cross The Arms
Crossing or folding your arms on your chest is one of the easiest poses for inexperienced males. The style can convey a sense of authority, defiance, and expressiveness, depending on your facial expression.
The style can also be combined with standing, leaning, or sitting poses. Furthermore, it is also a way to use your hands creatively when you want your picture clicked!
Note: Sometimes, crossing your arms in photographs can mean a total close-off or unavailability. So, ensure to create the right message by smiling or smizing.
Power Pose: Drape The Jacket Over The Shoulder
Draping a jacket over your shoulders is one of the most popular and trending styles among male models. However, it is not a style for the faint-hearted because it not only indicates that an individual is cool but also adds a certain amount of self-confidence and attitude to your photographs.
In fact, no amount of dressing or posing delivers a magnitude of power statement more than draping a jacket over your shoulders. The style shows “you are ready for anything.” Finally, it is also a great way to add an extra accent to your outfit and reveal your personality through your wardrobe.
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Posing Tips for Women Portrait Photography
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How To Take Model Pictures Of Yourself At Home?
Look At The Wrist
Perhaps you are too shy to face the camera; in that case, you can decide to look at your wrist. Great if you are wearing a wristwatch or something to look at – this will make the picture appear natural and attractive. If done properly, the style can send a message of seriousness or playfulness, depending on your facial expression and mood.
Hands In Hair
The hands in the hair pose is another style for inexperienced men. It is a favorite pose among entry-level male models in the fashion industry. Running your fingers through your hair is a great way to appear attractive in photos.
The photographs can appear sultry or playful, depending on your facial expression and posture. To get the best click, do not face the camera straight-on, and ensure to wear a playful smile on your face.
Generally, some of the poses are simple, while some others require a little effort and creativity. Therefore, we encourage you to engage in constant practices and also try out different pose ideas to discover the best for you.
Related article: How To Pose? Ways To Look Better In Photos – Women Edition