How to Pose Like a Top Male Model

The Fashionisto

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Updated September 4, 2022

Filip Hrivnak, Clément Chabernaud, Arthur Kulkov, and David Gandy provide amazing inspiration for male model poses.Pin
Filip Hrivnak, Clément Chabernaud, Arthur Kulkov, and David Gandy provide amazing inspiration for male model poses.

Are you the next Sean O’Pry or Mathias Lauridsen? Well, that will depend on not only your it factor, but modeling at its core–posing. Some poses come naturally while others need a lot of practice. Here, we look to the pros for posing tips any model can use.

Related: Essay | The State of Today’s Male Model

When it comes to fashion photography, one key element that may get overlooked is the perfect male model pose. While every male model should be good-looking with the right style, body shape, personality, and attitude, understanding photography and how to capture different poses can be an advantage during photo shoots. Whether you’re a photographer or an aspiring model, you can never have enough inspiration.

Therefore, we have rounded up several of our favorite fashion images. Let top models guide the way with some of the best and most common poses for male models. Icons such as David Gandy and Clément Chabernaud show that subtlety and a feel for clothes goes a long way.

Best Male Model Poses

Kit Butler Male Model Squat PosePin
Leg Day: Prove your body awareness and hit the ground. The right squat and the perfect expression can take you a long way in modeling. Especially, if you’re modeling something like a pendant for men. Kit Butler by Begum Yetis for GQ Turkey.
Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2016 Campaign featuring Lucky Blue SmithPin
Eyewear Apostle: Wear glasses like they are the key to your charm and charisma. After all, eyewear campaigns are all about that cool factor. It’s okay to feel a little smug. Lucky Blue Smith for Tom Ford spring-summer 2016 campaign.
Filip Hrivnak Male Model Couture PosePin
Super Couture Pose: Don’t let women have all the fun with the couture pose. Lend the classic pose your own signatures with a more relaxed form. Filip Hrivnak by John-Paul Pietrus for Elle Men China.
Sean O'Pry Hands in PocketsPin
Hands in Your Pockets: A natural ease is everything when it comes to modeling. Imagine you’re out for a relaxing stroll. Sean O’Pry by Tetsu Kubota for Details October 2014 Issue.
Mathias Lauridsen Smile ALDOPin
Picture Perfect Smile + Laying Down: May your smile brighten the world and appear as it radiates from deep inside. Hello, you’re a commercial perfection and don’t forget, just a little teeth. And for laying down, the camera is your lifeline and clothes your charm. Shine, shine, shine! Mathias Lauridsen for ALDO.
Simon Nessman Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio EssenzaPin
The Beauty Pose: A relaxed arm, a beautiful face and a look of divine enlightenment just may win you a fragrance contract. Simon Nessman by Bruce Weber for Giorgio Armani.
Arthur Kulkov JumpingPin
The Model Jump: Hope you have strong knees. To get the perfect picture, you have to be comfortable with jumping continuously. Don’t forget your face, your light and the clothes. After all, it’s all about the clothes. Arthur Kulkov by Tom Schirmacher for American GQ Style.
Jon Kortajarena NudePin
Posing Nude: Imagine you’re a work of art and your sole purpose is to inspire. Your body is amazing and you have piercing eyes that can see into the soul. You let your guard down and you have the perfect picture. Jon Kortajarena by Nico for El Pais Semanal.
David Gandy Terry Richardson Unbuttoned ShirtPin
The Art of Undress: The face is right, the look is great but you need something interesting to do…what about a tug or unbuttoning? David Gandy by Terry Richardson for Sergio K.
Noah Mills WalkingPin
The Model Stroll: Cheers to modeling head to toe. Sometimes, it’s a great look to appear candid. With attention to the clothes and your best angle, you’ll be a pro in no time. Don’t forget about that arched foot. It indicates movement. Noah Mills for Neiman Marcus.
Tony Ward HandPin
The Magic Hand: Serving face isn’t quite enough all the time and you need to mix it up. How about a helping hand? Touch your face but not really. It needs to look natural but not quite, it’s a moment of contemplation after all. Tony Ward by Txema Yeste for Antidote.
Matthew Terry Calvin Klein UnderwearPin
The Underwear Pose: So you want to be a top model? Sometimes, you may have to model underwear and the key is to look as natural as possible. Confidence is key and the six pack doesn’t hurt. Here, you are lounging about and just happen to be wearing underwear. Matthew Terry by Lachlan Bailey for Calvin Klein Underwear.
Clément Chabernaud Gucci SuitPin
The Arm Arch: Particularly useful when modeling suiting and showcasing sharp lines, it’s important to know how to make precise angles. Clément Chabernaud models a tailoring look for Italian fashion house Gucci.

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