Graduation Poses For Guys

As a mom of 2 boys, I LOVE creating senior sessions for boys.  Boy senior experiences aren’t quite as elaborate as girls.  We don’t have a stylist or professional hair and makeup.  But boys do have hobbies and passions, and I love incorporating those into their senior portraits. Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite graduation poses for guys to help inspire you.

Casual Senior Picture Poses for Guys

“What do I do with my hands?” This can be the most common question during a senior photo shoot, and I try my best for my senior guys to never have to ask me that question. I try to keep seniors engaged by giving clear directions so that they completely forget about posing and can act natural. Here are some of my favorite senior portrait poses for guys.

Arms Crossed

Having senior guys cross their arms is a simple, confident pose that works well—especially when they’re still warming up in front of the camera. This is also a great pose if you don’t have anything nearby to lean on. This is an easy pose to overdo, so make sure you mix things up!

Hands in Pockets

One of the easiest and most natural poses for guys in pictures is the have them put their hands in their pockets. This gives their hands something to do and helps with their posture. They can put their hands in their pockets when standing, walking and leaning. You can mix it up by putting boys hands in pockets or just one hand in pocket.

Leaning

Leaning is a great way to give a senior boy something to do. This type of pose works especially well for more urban or industrial locations, but you can also get creative outdoors with fences, trees, or rocks.

Squatting

Squats are always entertaining senior photo poses for me as a photographer—every guy seems to have his own take on it! Some go full athletic stance, others lean into a more relaxed, elbows-on-knees look. It’s a great way to switch things up during a session and add variety to the gallery.

One Leg Kicked up on Wall

Lean against the wall, kick your foot up… It’s an easy pose to direct, and guys do it so naturally. Make sure you get a photo of them looking at the camera and looking off into the distance.

Sitting

Sitting is an easy pose to get a different angle and perspective. Sitting poses give off a relaxed vibe and show off an easy going personality. Boys can sit on steps, curbs, windows, banisters, etc.

Walk Towards the Camera

Walking towards the camera is an easy graduation pose for guys. They can walk while looking off to the side, down at the ground, or directly into the lens. Adding small changes—like placing one or both hands in their pockets—gives the pose variety and movement. If they’re comfortable, I’ll sometimes ask them to run a hand through their hair or adjust their shirt for an effortless, cool touch that photographs really well.

Look off into the Distance

Senior boys can look off into the distance for pretty much any pose. Whether they’re leaning, standing, or sitting, asking them to look away helps take the pressure off and often creates a thoughtful, candid look to the photo.

Use the High School as a Location

Hayden is in the middle of 3 boys.  I photographed his older brother’s senior photos a few years ago.  He is graduating from Pope John Paul II High School, or JPii as we call it in Nashville.  Lacrosse is a huge part of his life and their family, so we made it a big part of his senior photos as well.  There is not as much inspiration for senior boy poses as there is for girls, so I want to share some ways that we personalized Hayden’s portraits.

When I am looking for locations for senior guy pictures, I want locations with structures to add depth and textures to add interest. I want the location to have places were senior guys can sit and lean. Having things to lean on helps with posing.

Hayden’s high school has a beautiful campus.  It not only makes a great location for photos, but it also is a location with meaning.  All 3 boys will graduate from this school, so they will each have some of their senior photos taken there.

Include the College He Will Attend

Hayden had just applied to UT Knoxville when we photographed his senior session.  So we snuck in a little orange.  And graduating during a global pandemic?  We had to get one pose with a mask.  I know we all want to forget this time, but it will be a big memory for all of us.  Especially our graduating seniors!

Lacrosse Poses

Hayden plays lacrosse, so this was his family’s number one request for photos.  This sport is so important to them.  No matter what sport you play, incorporating your sport is a great way to personalize your senior photos.

Since we shot Hayden’s portraits at his high school, we were able to use the bleachers and field for his lacrosse picture poses.  These are definitely my favorites!

When you incorporate a sport such as lacrosse into your senior photos, I recommend bringing your jersey and equipment. You can throw or cradle the ball, hold your lacrosse stick in different ways, or even suit up with your helmet and gloves for a more intense, game-day look.

Lacrosse Silhouette Poses

We finished up Hayden’s senior shoot at sunset with some lacrosse silhouette poses.  These were so much fun to create!

Senior photos for boys don’t have to be boring or something that you dread.  We got all of Hayden’s photos done in a little over an hour.  And I think he may have even enjoyed them!

Senior Picture Poses for Guys

Jack is the oldest in his family, which means he’s the first to hit the exciting milestone of senior photos. I have know him since he was in elementary school, and it is crazy that he is graduating now!

When his mom started thinking about senior picture poses for guys, she shared all of Jack’s favorite things and interests with me. I knew right away we could incorporate those into his session to make it truly special—something unique and completely tailored to him.

Football Senior Pictures

Jack plays football for his high school, so he wanted to wear his football jersey for a few photos. There are countless ways that you can include football in your senior photos.

You can wear your jersey, include your football equipment, hold a football, or take photos on your football field. Plus, having something like a football or gear in your hands helps make posing feel more natural and relaxed.

Senior Boy with Truck

I have many seniors that want to include their truck in their photos. Trucks open up lots of ideas for posing. You can stand next to the truck, sit on the tailgate, lean against the door, or even get a few shots behind the wheel. Whether it’s a rugged old pickup or a shiny new ride, including your truck is a great way to show your personality and style.

Senior Photos with Dog

They do say a dog is a man’s best friend, so why not include your dog in your senior photos? Jack including his dog added a personal, meaningful touch to his senior session. Whether you are walking together, throwing a ball or frisbee, or sitting side by side, bringing your dog is a great way to relax and have some fun during your shoot.

Lake Senior Pictures

Jack loves the lake and spending time outdoors, so it was an easy choice to head to the lake for part of his senior session. Some of our favorite poses included him standing on a dock and sitting along the water’s edge.

Senior Pictures for Guys

I love helping each senior guy feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, and I’d love to do the same for your son. Let’s create something that feels like him. I’d love to start planning your son’s senior session.  Contact me for more details.