Some men are self-conscious about their size, weight, or body shape. Without addressing this, embarrassment can result in photos where guys look hunched or like they’re trying to blend in with the background.
As a photographer, the last thing I want is for my clients to not feel like they’re the center of attention when I’m snapping them. That’s why I go out of my way to create poses and scenarios where plus-size men can shine and feel their best.
It’s easier than you might think. A combination of flattering outfits, energizing poses, and encouragement can help even your plus-size male clients feel confident and enjoy the photoshoot experience.
The result is photos that show off the man’s personality without letting self-consciousness get in the way. Portraits don’t have to hide the full body, and wedding shots should celebrate the whole person in all his glory.
Read on to discover my favorite poses for the larger guy, for portraits, wedding shoots, and more, and why they work so well.
Why Boosting the Confidence of Plus-Size Men Matters
Some photographers might not realize that plus-size men can feel self-conscious about their body shape, particularly if they’re wearing formalwear or something else out of the ordinary. An added challenge comes from the fact that you, as the photographer, may not have control over something like a wedding suit.
You have to work with what you’ve been given in terms of setting and outfits, but it’s still your job to reassure your client that they look great and help them feel comfortable while you take photos.
One of the best ways to do this is to have a selection of photos of similarly sized men in your portfolio. Let your client look through these and figure out which poses or situations they’d be most comfortable replicating.
Of course, if this is your first time photographing plus-size men, you might not have photos like that to hand. In that case, try some of the following poses and take note of which ones make your client smile, look confident, or relax.
1. In Control
One of the best ways to inspire confidence is to place your client in a situation where they feel completely in control. For some clients, that’s behind the wheel of a vehicle.
That might be a car, motorcycle, or even a boat. Never assume your male clients will enjoy this; always ask first, as if they’re not vehicle-savvy, they may end up looking more uncomfortable.
Figure out which vehicle will work best for them. If they’re a regular biker, for example, it’s a no-brainer.
But if they’ve always wanted to sit behind the wheel of a particular sports car and have the opportunity to do so, this can also be a great experience for both photographer and client.
It’s a pose that works well with both formal and casual clothing. If it’s for a quirky yet formal event, like a themed wedding, just make sure there’s no chance of getting boat or car grease on the wedding suit.
Position your subject so that their face is completely visible, and try to catch them in either a smile or a naturally confident expression. While proudly looking into the camera works, catching them looking off into the distance or focusing on something to one side also looks good.
You’re not trying to hide them or their body behind the wheel, just to be clear. You can take this shot from the side, if you like, and it should look just as powerful.
Experiment with different angles and poses where they appear to be actively driving, as well as standing or sitting beside the vehicle.
2. Jacket Over the Shoulder
Nothing says swagger quite like a casual fling of a discarded jacket over the shoulder. It’s the gesture of a hot summer’s day, an event that’s in full swing, or the satisfaction of a job well done.
Capturing this shot is easy, and it works for weddings and other formal events, as well as portraits.
Ideally, your subject will be in at least a two-piece suit. Don’t worry if he doesn’t look completely comfortable in formalwear, because the simple act of taking the jacket off can give him a sense of relief and help him relax.
Take several shots as he swings the jacket over his shoulder. You’re looking for that moment just as the jacket settles, with a hand still up and under it, and a relaxed expression on the face.
Try this as a full-body and close-up shot, to see which your client prefers.
3. After a Workout
This can be an inspiring shot that shows how hard someone is working on their fitness routine, or simply a relaxed glimpse into their daily life. It’s not one for the wedding album, but it can help show a health or muscle growth journey.
I find that the key to this pose is not to insist on taking the shot immediately after the workout finishes. Stay around the gym or outdoor track, and wait for your subject to catch his breath and mop the sweat from his brow.
That way, you can capture the quiet satisfaction of a workout well done rather than an exhausted look that might make the client feel self-conscious.
Have your subject sit on a piece of gym equipment, or if you’re at the park or another outdoor area, find a bench or tree stump. Let them relax, lean forward, and look off into the distance.
Aim for a small smile or a neutral yet satisfied expression. They can be holding a bottle of water or a protein shake to emphasize the post-workout vibe.
Try to get some of the gym equipment or track in the shot, to let viewers know that the guy has been working hard.
4. The Serious Portrait
Ideal for corporate shots, portraits for LinkedIn, and even author cover shots, this pose looks serious and thoughtful. The only prop you need is a stool, so the man can sit with his arms unencumbered, which will help him look more relaxed and at ease in the pose.
The stool should be just high enough that when the subject sits down, his legs are angled slightly downwards. Avoid a stool that is too short, as raised knees can make the subject look uncomfortable and cramped.
Aim for hands gently clasped or fingers laced together in the lap. The pose should be relaxed yet poised.
To support this, ask your subject to wear something smart-casual that they can comfortably sit in for the duration of the session. You want to take the time to get this shot just right, so itchy, sweat-inducing clothes should be avoided.
A simple, cotton shirt and jeans are fine, but a two-piece suit may also work.
Expression-wise, avoid big, toothy grins. This image is about leaning into the serious, composed nature of the man, so snap him while he’s relaxed and looking directly at the camera.
5. The Wedding Couple Walking Away
When a guy is really self-conscious about his belly, he might dread wedding or engagement photo shoots. One way to give him more variety and avoid making every image feel overly posed is to take some shots from behind.
Have the happy couple turn away from you and hold hands, ready to walk away. As they take a step, get them to stop and look back over their shoulders with a smile.
You should snap with a fast shutter speed just as they turn, and just after, and compare the shots. The moment of the turn can sometimes be a little more organic than the still, posed turn, as once someone is holding that “over-the-shoulder” look, it can start to get uncomfortable.
Choose a beautiful and relevant setting, such as the wedding venue or the place the couple met.
Get their input on the backdrop so you can create a photo they’ll both treasure.
6. The Beard Scratcher
Many men have beards, and facial hair remains a popular look. Instead of asking your subjects to shave for shoots, use the beard to highlight their individual style and personality.
Let him wear whatever he’s comfortable in. That might be a favorite shirt and hat, perhaps with a smartwatch that reflects his personal style.
As this is a portrait shot, you don’t need to worry too much about what he’s wearing on the bottom half. Unless, of course, you’re planning to do some full-body shots as well, in which case you could discuss slacks, jeans, or other comfortable yet smart choices.
Have them stand with one hand on their chin, either gently tugging the beard or just resting on it. This draws the viewer’s eye to the facial hair, which can be an important part of the man’s personal style.
Experiment with different expressions. For a more serious portrait, aim for thoughtful, but for a more fun shot, try some smiles and winks.
7. Wedding Partial Portraits
There seems to be some unwritten rule that all wedding photos should be taken from a distance, showing everyone’s outfits from head to toe. I can tell you that some of the best wedding shots I’ve taken are from much closer up, homing in on loving expressions and organic moments.
The benefit of closer-up shots is that they place more emphasis on facial expressions, details, and the connection between the couple. They’re ideal for confidence-building images that let the couple’s personalities and relationship take center stage.
Try a shot of the couple where the groom’s face, arm, and part of his body are in frame, but that’s it. The focus will naturally fall on the groom’s expression and the chemistry between him and his partner.
This framing works well for outdoor shots, particularly where you can capture a satisfying contrast between the greens and browns of the outside and the brightness of the wedding outfits.
Tips for Boosting Your Plus-Size Clients’ Confidence
The first rule of photographing plus-size clients is not to assume that they’re embarrassed about their size. Many men are very happy with their size and shape, so ask them what poses they’re comfortable with rather than making assumptions about their bodies.
If a guy proactively tells you that he’s worried about how he’ll look in pictures, get him to show you some examples of images he’s happy with and ones he hates. When you understand what is making him feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, you can take steps to ensure you avoid those poses and situations.
Weddings can be tricky as you can’t really make suggestions about the outfits or settings. But you can adjust poses, camera distance, and lighting to accentuate faces and outfits rather than focusing on people’s bodies.
Consider offering a trial run before the wedding, where your groom or grooms can try their suits on and practice some different poses. They can figure out which they’re most comfortable with before the big day, and you get to show them exactly how the shots will look once complete.
That way, you can head to the event with a better idea of which positions and poses they’ll be comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
A lot of photography guides still feature a narrow range of body types, often focusing on very thin women and muscular men. As an experienced photographer, you’ll learn, like I have, that people come in all shapes and sizes and that’s one of the joys of photography.
Make sure you’re open to making all your clients look fabulous, regardless of size or shape. As well as boosting their confidence, they’re more likely to recommend you as a photographer when you make them look and feel great.
More: 23 Male Model Poses & Prompts + Tips for Great Male Poses
