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

Check back often for more Photo Shoot Ideas!

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

Ever wondered how photographers can capture such amazing landscape images? It truly is a combination of skill, equipment, the individual talent, and the time of day. Good photographers know the best times to shoot just as much as they know the best places to shoot. Their are magic times to create images and the moment the sun peaks over the horizon is certainly one of those times.

Dawn is a photographer’s time to capture the light and one of the most amazing times to take images. Landscape shots are some of the most amazing at dawn whether you are looking to capture the sun breaking dawn, water droplets on grass, of the mist that rolls in every morning. Of course the hardest part of shooting at dawn is being awake to capture the magic! Take a look at the inspirational photos we have found on Flickr and use them as motivation to set your alarm for extra early and go out shooting dawn images. Scout in the days ahead for the perfect location to shoot your dawn images, arrive before the sun breaks the horizon, and see what magic YOU can create!

There is something about the serenity of early morning hours that can make your images magical. Get out there and shoot! You never know what you can get until you try. Let us know what you come up with. Feel free to comment on your experiences shooting in the magical morning hours.

PS: Did you know that if you click on an image it will take you to the photographer’s Flickr account? Check out more dawn Images!

Looking for another magical time of day to shoot? Sunset Photography is another magical time of day to capture images. Pick up your camera and go make magic!

Check back for more amazing Dawn Images!

In my time as a photographer I have spent countless hours driving around scouting for portrait locations. Depending on the type of shoot I search areas throughout the city and urban landscapes, graffiti walls, beach areas, cool looking rocks, parks that have serene backdrops, farmland that is left unattended, abandoned cars. You name it, and I have shot there! You really never know where you are going to find the perfect spot for your portrait photography locations. All those years of searching for portrait locations and I have learned that many of my favorite portrait spots are very close to home. I now have a standard list of local locations that are great for portrait shoots. I know the ins and outs of each location. If they have a bathroom there. What the parking situation is like. Are permits required to shoot there? What is the weather like. These are my go to portrait shooting locations and they make taking portraits much easier and I know how to control the results. Get yourself a list of local spots like this and you too can take your portrait photography to a higher level! Here are some portrait shooting location tips:

Portrait Shooting Locations Tip #1: Simplicity is Very Important

Some beautiful location spots are amazing for landscape images, but can be very distracting in portrait shoots when you add the model. When you are scouting for locations simplicity is important. You don’t want over complicated backgrounds that take away from your subject. The model in your portraits is the most important element. They should always be the focus. If you can find a simple location that is also beautiful, even better. Just keep in mind your portraits need to be a reflection of the person you are shooting, and not a highlight of the location you are shooting in. Your model should always be the center focus of your portraits.

Portrait Shooting Locations Tip #2: Look for Universal Locations

It’s important to have a wide variety of portrait shooting locations that you have already scouted that you know will work well for most any shoot. Niche locations are nice to have in mind for certain more creative shoots, but if you limit yourself to niche locations you will inevitably not have what you need when you need it. I know the best beach areas in my neighborhood to shoot in, and amazing park down the street that has a lake and looks georgous at sunset. I know where there are some very nice train tracks with some interesting buildings behind them, and I know exactly where to go in Venice to shoot on a nice colorful graffiti background. Make sure you always have a good list of safe locations to shoot your portraits in. Having this list ready with samples from previous shoots will impress your clients and make you more prepared to focus on shooting.

Portrait Shooting Locations Tip #3:  Find Multiple Places to Shoot In a Single Location

Image by Eneas

The location in the image above is a prime portrait photography location because there are lots of different areas to shoot in. The walls are unique and make for an interesting backdrop. There are stairs, and colorful doors. There is a mixed variety of different backdrops for different shots than can be used. When you are scouting for a location you should keep in mind the different backdrops that are available and what shots you can take. One of my favorite local places to shoot is the Colorado Bridge in Pasadena. The bridge itself has many different portrait possibilities. There is also a park underneath that has a completely different look and feel. If you walk a block down the street there are public buildings with beautiful landscaping and additional portrait possibilities. The combinations are endless. When I shoot here people think we went to three different places, but are images were taken at one location. These types of locations are the most useful and provide the most bang for your buck!

Portrait Shooting Locations Tip #4: Think about your Client’s Safety

A large part of portrait location scouting is making sure the location you choose is safe for both you and your client. It is very common to use run down buildings, old train tracks, and abandoned locations in your portrait shooting. When you are scouting you need to carefully inspect these locations to make sure they are safe. Having someone get hurt, or getting sued, is the last thing you want. I don’t care how interesting a location is, if it isn’t safe, don’t use it! Your clients will thank you for taking their safety into consideration and you won’t find yourself in a difficult situation.

Image by Sister72

This would be a great example of a location that looks interesting, but is not safe. Use good judgement!