We’ve compiled our favorite posing ideas for seniorGuys—even the ones who aren’t that into being photographed.
Easy senior photo poses for guys
Shy guys, sweet guys, smart guys, silly guys, and tough guys: with so many great dudes in the world, you’d think their senior portrait photography would be a breeze! Professional photographers are often challenged to find senior-boy poses that both please the parents and high schooler.
A bit of assistance might be needed for the average awkward/awesome high-school senior guy. So we’ve curated some of our favoring senior picture posing ideas for your great guy clients…
#1: You have something to lean on
People don’t like to be in front of cameras and have no idea what to do with their hands or feet. Everybody and their mom knows how to lean. Give your client something to lean on, and you’ll quickly get a sense of how their body naturally settles.
Shaw Photography Co.’s affirmations
“I use encouraging words and affirmations throughout the senior session, telling them, Wow, you are so natural at this! or Ahh, this last one was really good!—and I never show the back of the camera.
#ShootProof Pro Tip
Everything in a photo should reflect your client’s story, from the scenery to the props to the wardrobe. If your senior guy is a theater fanatic who bikes to school, photographing him leaning against his car won’t be meaningful. Likewise, if you’re photographing a rough-and-tumble country guy, don’t use the big city skyline as his senior picture backdrop.
#2: Move his senior year photos
The further away you are from your high school years, the more likely you’ll be to forget how much energy those young whippersnappers have. Don’t overlook opportunities to get some motion out of each senior picture session!
Increase your shutter speed
Any type of physical activity can be done, from riding a four-wheeler or kick a soccer ball. for great images that highlight a teen’s passion. Keep this in mind: big motion requires a fast shutter if you don’t want a blurry mess.
A shutter speed of 1/250″ or faster will work in most daylight conditions. If you’re using a flash, you will be able to slow your shutter speed down some and rely on the strobe light to “freeze” the photo.
#3: Get new ideas from seniors
Even the act of simply moving from sitting to standing can have a positive impact on your health. forA moody moment. Senior picture sessions are often a teen’s first experience with professional photography. Senior boys and girls are the ideal test subjects. forCreative lighting arrangements and ideas for posing.
#4: Sit, squat and kneel.
It’s next-to-impossible to sit suavely with both knees clutched to your chest. Your client can relax by asking him to straighten one leg or curl under the other. Photographing guys will always be more successful if you are able to pose naturally.
Get some cool seating
You don’t need to drag an armchair all over town to get seated images (but 10 points to you if you do!) Take a look for stairs, ledges, curbs, tree stumps… Wherever your client sits, make sure the area is sturdy and safe—especially with outdoor senior pictures where you don’t have total control over the environment.
#5: Eye contact should not be underestimated
Your clients might find eye contact difficult because of their sensory processing style. Some clients may feel uncomfortable looking directly into your lenses. The good news? SeniorPicture sessions don’t require big, cheesy smiles directed at the camera.
#6: “But what do I do with my hands?!”
The expressiveness of the hands can rival that of the face. We clench them when we’re nervous, rub them together when we’re thinking, and tuck them into pockets when we’re feeling shy—or exceptionally relaxed. You can give your seniors photo sessions a hand with ideas that even non-coordinated teens can master.
Loose, flexible and limber
Ask clients who are fist-clenchers to relax their hands and let their fingers fall naturally. Be careful forHands that land in odd places can be a problem.
There are pockets forThere are reasons.
“Tuck your thumbs in your pockets.” That’s the simplest way to get your clients hands relaxed at hip-height. If your client tucks their whole hand into a pocket, make sure their thumb and a bit of their hand is exposed so they don’t appear one-handed when they’re not.
#7: Sometimes, a simple position is the best
Once you are comfortable with your client, it is possible to get them into a simple standing position. If they seem stiff, you can encourage them to relax a bit and rock forward on their feet. This subtle lean will highlight the face.
#8: From the elbows to your knees
Everybody knows how to bend forward and rest their elbows against their knees. It’s simple, comfortable, and does a great job of minimizing the waistline while accentuating the face.
#9: Get a “Grandma Photo”
A great way to capture a Grandma Photo is by sitting on a park bench with your elbows at your knees. What’s a Grandma Photo? It’s a photo a teen’s grandma will love because their sweet angel looks engaged, friendly, and natural—all in one great frame.
#10: Get into the studio
Studio senior portrait sessions can be done by anyone, whether you have your own studio or rent it from a friend. forImages that are clean and client-centric. You can also take them in rain or shine!
Low key vs. high key
High key portraits use a bright background or white background. Low key portraits are black or dark backgrounds. You should consider the mood and clothing choices of your client when choosing a background.
Remember that light colors reflect more light than dark tones. Make sure your client’s dark hair or skin don’t disappear into an under-lit scene. Likewise, don’t blow out the highlights in a client’s light hair or skin!
No studio? No problem.
You don’t need a proper studio to create a dramatically-lit senior picture. Flashes and strobes are all you need to create a dramatic senior picture.
#11: Live a little bit of everything
You don’t always need to photograph a client’s full face to make a beautiful portrait. Photographing close cropped, silhouettes, or reflections can all provide opportunities. forA fresh perspective.
Enter their world
When you take the time to build a relationship with your clients, they’re more likely to open up to you and share what matters most to them. Instead of insisting on locations you’ve used over and over again, try to join your client’s world. You’ll be rewarded with fresh posing ideas galore!
#12: Make a photo-worthy closet
Your client’s wardrobe has a major impact on the success of a shoot. Any brilliant posing ideas will go out the window if your client is uncomfortable in their senior picture outfit, or if their clothing choice doesn’t complement the location.
Do your seniors seem shy? Here’s a great way to implement privacy settings in your ShootProof gallery!
ShootProof is a great way to empower senior clients (both men and women) and make them feel at ease every step of the process.
Here’s how!
#1: Privacy settings that are custom
You can ensure that your client galleries remain private by asking them to enter a password before they are able to download or view their images.
This allows clients to share only the things they are most comfortable sharing.
With the “Hide” feature, your seniors can decide how much they want to reveal when they share their gallery with friends and family.
#2: Hide certain photos
The “Hide” feature allows your senior client to control which photos are forTheir eyes are the only ones that will see them. This means that no one else will see the images the client has hidden.
#3 SeniorContracts
ShootProof’s Contracts tool empowers photographers to run their most efficient photography business yet! We have senior contracts available forSend your clients an email today
ShootProof can be used to print.
ShootProof printing is easy thanks to our professional partner labs.
There are two options: You can self-fulfill where clients place orders through you, and you then place the order with your favorite laboratory. Or, you can have your clients order directly with one our integrated labs.
Find out more about our professional partners:
- BayPhoto
- Miller’s Professional Imaging
- WHCC
- Black River Imaging
- MPIX
- Richard Photo Lab
- Loxley Color (UK Europe and Mexico).
- Atkins Pro Lab (Australia, New Zealand)
- HC Pro (Australia, New Zealand)
- GTA Imaging (Canada).
- Print Refinery (Canada).
- Technicare (Canada)
Photographs by THE CARRS | Photographs by THE CARRS | JASMINE WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY | KENDRA LYNECE | LAVENDER BOUQUET PHOTOGRAPHY | LYNSEY LUE PHOTOGRAPHY |PRESTON LUKE | ROSS KYKER PHOTOGRAPHY | SHAW PHOTOGRAPHY CO.
