Practising classic poses is one of the smartest steps to take when you’re starting out as a male model. You’ll learn angles, grow comfortable in front of the camera, build a diverse portfolio, and adapt quickly with minimal direction once you start landing shoots and meeting agents.
Top agency Hunter Talent sums up how to rehearse common positions: “To enhance your modelling skills, study the poses of [leading] professionals, emulate them, and consider naming or numbering them for easy recall. Practise these poses daily for 10–15 minutes to become versatile and in-demand for a range of shoots.”
1. Stand straight-backed
A mainstay of model book and catalogue work, this simple pose perfects your posture.
Start with feet apart and pointed slightly outwards. Stand tall with a straight spine to naturally bring your chest forwards and shoulders back. Keep your head upright or slightly tilted towards one shoulder. Don’t tilt your chin up (it will show your nostrils and under your jaw); instead, move your chin forwards – it may feel unnatural, but your jawline will be more defined.
2. Arms crossed
Easy and confident, this pose is quintessential.
Stand tall, placing feet shoulder-width apart and crossing your arms just below the chest. Avoid clenching your fists or tensing your arms. You want to appear controlled yet relaxed.
3. Hands in pockets
Cool, casual, and a godsend for rookies unsure what to do with their hands, hands-in-pockets is a classic pose that helps you look natural.
Position your feet shoulder-width apart, then slide your hands into your pockets while keeping your fingers relaxed. Add depth by slightly bending one knee, remembering to maintain a strong male model posture with a straight spine and shoulders back.
4. Contrapposto
Contrapposto is Italian for “counterpoise,” a pose popularised over centuries of sculpture and painting. Michelangelo’s David is a classic contrapposto.
Become your own work of art by shifting most of your weight to one foot, twisting your shoulders and arms until they’re slightly off-centre, then bending your other leg slightly at the knee. It’s a more dynamic pose than simply standing with your back straight.
5. Hand on chin
Perfect for highlighting your jawline and adding depth, the hand-on-chin pose brings focus to the face and can convey an array of emotions.
Rest your chin against a closed fist or open hand, with your other arm supporting at the elbow. You shouldn’t actually be supporting the weight of your head with your hand – instead, keep the pose light and thoughtful. Nigel Barker, photographer and judge from America’s Next Top Model, says that “if the hand is placed in such a delicate manner and it’s gentle, then all of a sudden instead of it being obvious, it just blends in with everything that’s beautiful.”
6. Adjust your outfit
Whether touching up a tie, fixing cufflinks, or popping your collar, outfit adjustment exudes confidence and sophistication while highlighting clothing details.
It’s a good pose to move into from the standard straight-back pose. Concentrate on performing the motion rather than making actual adjustments. Move slowly but deliberately, paying attention to your body as a whole rather than just your hands. Models Trey Shields and Grant Bellino noted that controlled movement is a must to create a variety of looks.
7. Walking
As a male model, you’ll simulate being in motion, even for stills, with a confident, relaxed stride towards the camera.
Keep your head up, shoulders back, and chest pushed slightly forwards. Roll from heel to toe with your arms swinging naturally at your sides. Engage your core to maintain good posture and keep a steady pace with long strides to appear commanding. As with all movement before the camera, move slower than usual so the photographer can capture everything.
8. Reclined sitting
Sitting in a relaxed pose can be surprisingly tricky. Though the reclined seated pose is casual, you’ll need to maintain a strong presence and concentrate on all angles.
Start with a comfortable position that has your body fully supported, then lean back slightly while keeping your legs extended or slightly bent. Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Maintain strong angles with your arms and legs to emphasise the defined lines typically valued in modelling poses for men.
9. Jacket over shoulder
The jacket-over-shoulder pose exudes effortless class when perfectly struck. Stand tall with your chest pushed forwards and shoulders relaxed. Take the jacket in one hand and loosely hang it over the opposite shoulder while keeping your other arm relaxed at your side or supported on your hip or thigh. Position the jacket so its design and fabric are clearly shown.
10. Squat
Tough to master yet a valuable addition to any repertoire, the squat requires practice because it’s difficult to hold for long.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, then gently lower yourself while keeping your back straight and chest lifted. To remain stable, engage your core, and rest a hand on your leg or slowly shift your weight from one leg to the other.
Practising classic poses is one of the smartest steps to take when you’re starting out as a male model. You’ll learn angles, grow comfortable in front of the camera, build a diverse portfolio, and adapt quickly with minimal direction once you start landing shoots and meeting agents.
Top agency Hunter Talent sums up how to rehearse common positions: “To enhance your modelling skills, study the poses of [leading] professionals, emulate them, and consider naming or numbering them for easy recall. Practise these poses daily for 10–15 minutes to become versatile and in-demand for a range of shoots.”
