Modeling Poses for Men: A Simple Guide
I’ve put together some videos and tips on posing as a male model. The options are endless, and even if you have little experience, any one of these bits of insight can improve your photos dramatically. Try to use one of these techniques on your next, or first, photoshoot, feel the differences, master the confidence and watch as your images improve.
Understand Your Body: Before diving into specific poses, it's crucial to understand your body type and features. Identify your strengths and areas you'd like to emphasize or downplay. This self-awareness will guide you in choosing poses that complement your physique. Be modest and honest about yourself and we’ll work together to get the best results.
Understand Your Wardrobe: Give your clothing a review and see what you would or would not like to highlight. Every item of clothing gives a different chance to try new angles and highlight new attributes of the item itself, you and the settings. Dress for the season and clothing you will be most comfortable in, as this will match the tone of the image.
Practice Posing in Front of a Mirror: Familiarize yourself with various poses by practicing in front of a mirror. Experiment with angles, hand placements, and facial expressions. This hands-on approach allows you to refine and can also make things more efficient, allowing for better workflow during the shoot.
Angles Matter: A slight turn of the body can dramatically change the way light falls on your features, creating depth and dimension in your photographs. Practice making angles that highlight your best.
Take a moment and watch any or all of the following videos, as each one can provide some great insight to help you with your posing, leading to better images.
“Create a Catalog-Quality Man’s Pose”: Lindsay Adler gives some of her favorite mens’ poses and tells you what to do to get your best and avoid some common mistakes.
"Masculine Posing Tips:" Emily Teague lets you know what you want to be thinking about and some of the ins and outs of just how to use your body. Practice these movements in front of a mirror for best results.
“5 Simple Posing Tips for Men”: Pye Jisra gives a quick breakdown on posing adjustments you can make to get instant results.
“How To Dress Like a Male Model”: Former model Brett Maverick gives some tips on men’s ware. Though not a video I would recommend completely, it does highlight the major ideas to think about: colour, avoiding patterns and logos, and knowing your skin tone can help. Take the quiz to find out your colours.
Just a bit of thought and practice can vastly improve your results, giving you the confidence, skills and movement to show everyone how good of a male model you can be.
Overcast Skies: Advantages of Cloudy Day Photoshoots
Shooting photos in Paris invariably means that you’re going to shoot in overcast conditions. Many models might want to shy away from holding a photo shoot at these times, but in fact it can offer for some unique shooting sessions not so easily available on brightly lit days.
Soft, Diffused Light: The thick cloud cover acts as a natural diffuser, softening and evenly distributing light. This results in a gentle illumination that eliminates harsh shadows and reduces contrast, creating a flattering and even tone for your subjects, particularly beneficial for portrait photography.
Reduced Glare and Highlights: Clouds essentially serve as a giant softbox, reducing the intensity of sunlight. This is advantageous when photographing reflective surfaces, minimizing glare and allowing for the capture of intricate details without the distraction of intense reflections.
Enhanced Colors: Cloudy days bring out the vibrancy in colors, with the diffused light enhancing saturation. Think about this when thinking about your wardrobe.
Extended Shooting Hours: Unlike the constraints of shooting in bright sunlight, cloudy days offer extended hours of optimal lighting conditions. This allows for longer and later shooting times not available on a clear and sunny day.
Moody Atmosphere: The cloud-draped sky often creates a moody and atmospheric setting, adding drama to photographs. This effect is particularly effective for creating emotionally charged or storytelling images, as the diffused light contributes to the overall ambiance.
Comfort for Subjects: The softer and cooler light on cloudy days enhances the comfort of subjects during outdoor sessions. The absence of harsh sunlight reduces squinting, the cooler temperatures make sure you stay cool, and the mild conditions give a relaxed feel during fall and spring shoots.
Texture Emphasis: Cloudy conditions emphasize textures in the clothing, whether it's the intricate details of jewelry and hair or the texture of fabrics. The diffuse lighting highlights these elements, adding depth and interest to the photos.
BONUS: Black and White: The white-washed skies of Paris have been and continue to be captured in beautiful black and white imagery and may offer a different look to your photo shoot images than normal. They can give more drama, soften moments, and highlight the beautiful contrast of the surrounding city.