Men are often photographed for various reasons, including sports, fashion, travel, weddings, and family. There is a lot to consider when photographing men, such as the pose and the lighting. If you recently started photography, either professionally or as a hobby, it is important to know how to take perfect shots of men. Here are a few pointers for successful photography for men.
Involve the Man During Planning
Men may be reluctant to have photos taken, especially those who are not into fashion or sports. This means if you wish to include him in a family portrait, you will need to talk to him about the whole process. You also need to listen to their ideas for the different poses you wish to take.
Talking to men before a shoot makes them feel comfortable in front of the camera. For any physical flaw that a man would be insecure about, such as a tummy, assure them that it will be masked through various poses.
Know the Reason for the Shoot
Different photography purposes may need different types of lighting. You will need to sit down with your client and discuss why he needs the photos taken, whether for work or social reasons. Never shy away from asking questions about his family if you are going to take family portraits. For professional photography, consider working with men’s hairstylists to achieve the desired look. You will also need to add more pop and color to complement the look.
Allow the Client to Sit or Lean on Something
Men are naturally uncomfortable in front of a camera, especially when you are starting a shoot. If standing in front of the camera makes your client feels awkward, it is good practice to let him lean on a wall, vehicle, or fence. This helps him anchor his body to feel comfortable, which will leave his body and pose looking natural.
When seated or leaning, it will be easy to slowly change to an upright position as the shoot session goes on.
Keep His Hands Busy
Most men never know what to do with their hands during a shoot, which leaves their pose looking awkward when the hands hang loose on their side. For standing or leaning poses, you can tell him to put one or both hands in the pocket or place his thumb on the belt buckle. For sitting poses, he can lock his fingers together. Family portraits are easier since they can either hold a baby or hold his wife.
Focus on the Post-Shoot Processing
Modern cameras can capture even the finest details, which can, at times, be undesirable. These can include excess wrinkles and acne in family portraits. When discussing the shoot with him, it is important to pay attention to the hints he gives about the photo.
Most photographers don’t know that even men need to look younger in photos, which can be hinted at by jokes, such as ‘Could you make me look younger than my son?’
When editing photos, you should inquire whether they want their photos heavily edited, with little edits, or no edits at all. You can show him photos of different editing levels on the same photo, for them to make a choice.
Allow Men to Strike Bending Poses
When a man bends his arm or legs, the photo ends up looking cool and natural. These bends also help in making his body look compact and also make the final composition process easier.
There is much more to photographing men, but you should be on the right track with these pointers. The main point to note is to always make him feel comfortable in front of the camera.