Several starting points may be considered when photographing men. Normally, men are less comfortable in front of a camera, so it is important to try to put them at ease so that you will get the best results.

Preparing before the photo shoot when photographing men is always a good idea. Having your subject involved with the process is also good advice. If he knows the outcome you are aiming for and what is expected of him, he will surely feel more confident. If you show your model a cheat sheet for posing, he will feel prepared for the photo shoot and more relaxed as well.

Sample poses when photographing men:

1. Perhaps the most simple pose is with arms crossed over an upper body shot. Two items to check: Stomach muscles should be tightened and pulled in, and shoulders pulled back a bit. Do not make it look extreme—as though he is pinned to a wall. Keep in mind when photographing men that looking comfortable is important!

2. In full height shots, crossed arms can work very well. Have him also cross one leg over the other foot. Be sure not to have him strike an awkward pose with body weight equally distributed on both legs.

3. When photographing men, you may hear a recurring question from subjects such as “Where can I put my hands?” It is really quite simple as there are just four places to remember and these can be used in any combination with both hands.

Hand Locations when photographing men:

#1. Place hands loosely by the side
#2. Place hands on hips.
#3. Either hand or both placed in pockets
#4. Both hands and arms crossed over the chest.
In addition, always be sure the hands are relaxed. That means, no muscle pressure, unless your model is a bodybuilder.

4. A casual pose for a man standing upright. Men who have a problem about where to place their hands can strike a relaxed and natural pose by keeping hands partly or fully in the side pockets.

5. A slight variation over the previous pose is holding a clothing article over the shoulder. Another way is to place just a thumb in a pocket and cross legs, which works very well.

6. In a sitting pose, put one ankle on the other knee as this has a natural and relaxed look. Aim the shot just slightly from above.

7. Another variant in upright posing is leaning against the wall.

8. Lean against the same wall, but in a sideways pose. This works well for both formal and casual shots.

9. For a formal portrait with a simple pose, have him hold an item in his hand. Books, tools, or a laptop works as an insignia that suggests the man’s occupation.

10. Although some do not agree, it is fine to take shots of the model partly sitting on a desk. In a formal portrait, this pose may counteract rigidness.

11. As an appropriate pose for a formal portrait when photographing men, just do a slight variation from the previous pose.

12. To reduce the distance created by a desk or other object in the foreground, and show a work environment, shoot the scene from behind the model. This will produce an inviting but formal result.

13. Place objects on a desk that suggest the profession of the subject. Then have your model lean against the desk for support and cross his arms.

14. A portrait can be made interesting and engaging by using a chair in the picture. This is good for showing creative people in the work environment.

15. For formal and corporate portraits when photographing men, having the subject seated comfortably in a chair works well.

16. For a natural and simple pose, have a man sit on the ground. Shoot from different angles and directions.

17. Use variations of a man sitting on the ground in different outdoor locations in photographing men.

18. Have your model just sit in a relaxed and easy looking pose that is comfortable for him.

19. An informal pose is having a man sit on the ground and rest his back against an object or a wall.

20. Do not be afraid to crop the picture tightly around the face of the model.

This should help as a place to get started when photographing men. Just use simple backgrounds and clothing, relaxed poses and a natural expression for great pictures!

More tips on photographing men? Check out more at Photoshootideas.org

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5D Mark III - Canon EOS

Digital SLR Camera KIT with EF24-105mm IS Lens 5260B009AA

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Why You Should Use Your Lens’ Hood

There are many famous photographers who have provided not only impressive photographs of famous people, but have also given us great portraits of history through very stark and detailed images. The photographs they have taken have given us a record of life and the changes that have taken place throughout the years.

Here are six famous photographers and their stories

1. Matthew Brady

When you talk about famous photographers, you have to start with one of the men who set the standard for capturing real life in photos. Matthew Brady started by taking pictures of people who came in to sit for a portrait, but soon found himself to be one of the principal photographers of the Civil War.

By expertinfantry

2. Ansel Adams

Known for his use of black and white photography and the stark images he produced of the natural beauty of America, Ansel Adams is another one of our most famous photographers. His pictures of locations such as the Grand Tetons and Yosemite inspired many to go see these great landmarks for themselves and launched the careers of many aspiring photographers.

By Il Fatto Quotidiano

3. Robert Capa

Known for his amazing wartime images, Robert Capa (real name Endre Friedman) became one of the most famous photographers and documentarians of war, having taken photographs in five separate wars. At the age of eighteen, Capa left home and began working as a darkroom apprentice in a Berlin photography studio. With the rise of Hitler and the German invasion of Poland, Capa left for France and began photographing everything he saw. His photos soon developed a worldwide following for their stark imagery and details of the wars and suffering. Robert Capa’s life was cut short when he stepped on a landmine in Indonesia at the age of forty-one.

By Aleta Dreves

4. Dorothea Lange

Most widely known for her images of the Great Depression and the portraits of American life during these years, Dorothea Lange’s photographs are some of the most widely recognized images of the Depression Era in the world. She is one of the most famous photographers of her time.

By The Iglesia`s

5. Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson became the epitome of famous photographers with his idyllic images of life and historic events. Considered one of the founders of photojournalism, Cartier-Bresson spent forty-five years cataloging life through his camera and in 1975 he put down his camera and picked up a paintbrush, preferring to capture images through his paintings for the remainder of his life. Henri Cartier-Bresson once referred to photography as “instant drawing” and began to prefer the art of a painting over that of photography.

By Aleta Dreves

6. Annie Liebovitz

Annie Liebovitz has captured the attention of the world with her unique portraits of celebrities and other famous people. The work she has done for famous magazines such as Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone Magazine have made her one of our most famous photographers of the modern era. She has become famous to the point that celebrities now seek her out to take the pictures. Her photography style includes the use of bold colors and unique poses that make her stand out among her peers.

By michelineg

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Famous Photographers

If you just got engaged more than likely you are walking around on cloud-nine, dreaming of nuptials that would make all in attendance wonder what the big fuss was about, fantasizing about a honeymoon to an exotic far-off destination and of course, planning to take beautiful engagement photos that will be forever cherished by you and your soon-to-be new spouse.  And although you have a board of engagement photos on  Pinterest filled with black and white stills of couples kissing in fields and engaging (pun intended) in other artistic poses, you might have zero idea of where to start when it comes to your own engagement photos.

By seanmcgrath

So before you embark upon the journey to wedded bliss by taking some of the most important snapshots of your life, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Engagement Photos Tip #1:  Practice.  It might sound really corny—but you’d be lying if you said you’ve never flashed your pearly whites in front of the mirror when no one was looking.  So in order for you to get the most out of your engagement photos and be satisfied with the outcome, practice posing in the mirror beforehand.  Play with different angles, test your expressions and figure out which ones suit you best.

By Garrett Coyte | www.GarrettCoyte.com

Engagement Photos Tip #2:  Be yourself.  Here we have arrived at one of the most important tips yet.  If you select over-the top clothing that you normally wouldn’t wear or apply so much make-up that you resemble a drag-queen who got ready in a dimly-lit room, then you might look back on your engagement photos  one day with severe regret when you can’t even recognize yourself.  The best pictures are of the natural variety—so you want to dress nicely, but don’t stray too far away from your own comfortable, every day style.

Engagement Photos Tip #3:  Tell a story.  Of course, your romance is a story to rival anything that Walt Disney or even William Shakespeare could compose…so make sure that you depict that through your engagement photos.  Don’t just choose a standard location at some random beach because it’s “pretty.”  Instead, choose a scene that says something about you as a couple.  For example, if you met downtown in your city, consider staging your engagement photos there.  Your pictures become all the more meaningful when you use them to tell your love story.

Engagement Photos Tip #4:  Relax.  Don’t worry so much about trying to be perfect or capturing the moment just right—that is the photographer’s job and they should have plenty of experience taking engagement photos.  The professional you hire will help you get comfortable and guide you in the most flattering poses so that your pictures turn out as natural as possible.  Just relax, pretend the camera isn’t there and enjoy the experience—it is one to be remembered!

By Daniel Stark

Engagement Photos Tip #5:  Use props.  If you’re the type of person to see a camera and become so overwhelmed with fear that the only smile you can manage is one so forced and awkward that it looks as though you would rather be getting a root canal than sitting in front of a lens, then you might be searching for a way to get out of taking your engagement photos.  But take them you must!  And one way to shake such camera-shyness is to use props in your photos.  As long as they don’t take away from you as a couple, props can be especially useful in focusing your attention elsewhere and even adding a little extra personality to your shots!

Engagement Photos Tip #6:  Get lovey-dovey.  You are getting married because you are in love, right? (hopefully the answer is yes)—if so then don’t be afraid to show it!  Affectionate pictures make for classic, romantic memories that will be the perfect display of your feelings for one another.  If you’re shy about a little PDA, just try to focus on your partner.  One trick is to whisper something sweet or funny to them—this will help the two of you get more comfortable and the captured reaction could be a shot of pure gold.

Joe Morris is a guest post contributor who enjoys writing about all things associated with relationships and marriage.  In addition, Joe also contributes his work to a website where he educates readers about selecting the best dating site.

Engagement Photos can be fun. Check out our post on Scouting for Portrait Shooting Locations!

Photo Shoot Ideas & Locations