Almost every senior guy is at least a little intimidated in front of the camera. It’s awkward to be the only person in the photo, and being the center of attention can be uncomfortable. To make matters worse, you might feel totally clueless when it comes to posing. Hopefully you’ve hired a professional photographer who knows how to make you feel relaxed and look natural. In the meantime, here are some senior picture ideas for guys that will ensure you love the way you look in your photos.
Simple Senior Poses for Guys
1. What Do I Do With My Hands?
Hands always need a job to do. Otherwise, they can look out of place. You want your hands to be relaxed so that you don’t look tense. One of the easiest poses for guys is to put your hands in your pockets. This works with jeans, khakis, suits and even shorts. When your hands are in your pockets, you’ll look laid-back because it’s probably something you do all the time. You won’t have to try too hard to make the pose look good, and you can combine it with some of the other poses I’ll share with you to get a variety of looks.
You can also play with your tie, watch or a prop such as a football, hockey stick or an instrument. All of these options give your hands a purpose and will help create modern photos that you will love.
2. Get Moving!
I like to start with walking shots when I photograph senior guys. It’s easy because it doesn't feel like you're posing when you’re moving. You can combine walking with your hands in your pockets or adjusting your tie to change up the look without taking up a lot of time. You can also bring props like a skateboard or soccer ball for some dynamic action shots that won’t look like your dad’s senior pictures from the ‘90’s.
3. Find Something to Lean On
Although I do like to place senior guys in a simple standing pose, leaning against a stable surface such as a wall, staircase or even a light post will help remove the tension from your shoulders to give a natural, relaxed posture that will photograph really well. Just like with movement poses, leaning is a great option at the beginning of the session when you’re still getting used to the camera in your face.
4. Sit, Kneel or Squat
Sitting on steps, a chair, bench or even a curb is an easy, go-to pose for guys. Sitting allows you to lean forward or back on your elbows which looks relaxed and natural. Kneeling and squatting can be a tricky pose that may require some adjustments to make it look good. It’s usually better to stagger your legs and make sure to keep your hands relaxed.
5. Where Should I Look?
I know your whole life you’ve been told to look at the camera and say, “Cheese!” But I’m telling you, you do not always have to look directly into the camera, and you definitely don’t always have to have a huge grin on your face. Profile shots are awesome for guys and moms love them! If you don’t feel like smiling or if you’re faking it, you are way better off giving a little smirk or your best serious face. Mom will spot a fake smile a mile away, and you won’t like it either. Mixing and matching your facial expressions and poses will give you a lot of options in your final gallery. And options are always a good thing.
Your photographer will have a lot of senior picture ideas that are perfect for guys, so you really don’t need to worry about posing yourself. That’s why you hire a professional. I recommend checking out their website or social media images just to make sure you like how he/she photographs their clients. If you love their portfolio, you will likely love your own images.
If you would like to start planning your perfect senior session, just click here and send me an email. We can schedule a complimentary consultation to see if we are a good fit. I would love to meet you!