For this photoshoot with Tom, we started in one of the most practical locations for male portraits: a café with natural light.
Starting with a Natural Business Look
A café is one of the most convenient places for the first part of a men’s photoshoot. It gives the portraits a natural context. The man does not look like he was placed in front of a random background just to take a picture. He looks like he belongs there.
This kind of location works especially well for a business portrait or a personal branding session. The outfit does not have to be too formal. A blazer is usually enough. A tie is not necessary unless the person really needs that classic corporate look.
In Tom’s case, we used the café to create several types of portraits. Some were direct portraits, looking into the camera. Others were more candid, where he was looking away, using a phone, drinking coffee or simply reacting naturally to the moment.
The point is not to pretend that the person is “caught by accident”. The point is to create a situation where the portrait feels less stiff and more alive.
How One Outfit Can Give Several Different Looks
A simple business outfit can be more flexible than it looks. For example, if a man wears a suit or a blazer, we can start with a more polished version first. Then we can remove the jacket, roll up the sleeves and immediately create a more casual look with the same shirt.
This is useful because it gives more variety without changing the whole outfit or moving to a completely different location.
For male portraits, small changes often matter: the jacket can be on or off, the sleeves can stay clean or be rolled up, the person can sit or stand, look directly into the camera or away from it. Coffee, a phone or a laptop can also work as natural props, especially when they fit the person and the location.
These details help create different moods while keeping the session simple and efficient.
Adding Personality and Creativity
Tom is a dancer, so his photoshoot could not be only about business portraits. His personality and body language were an important part of the session.
Because he is used to movement and expression, we added a more creative direction to the shoot. He was comfortable showing different emotions and creating more artistic poses. This gave the session more energy and made the portraits feel more personal.
The second part of the photoshoot moved toward a stronger, more confident visual style. Tom wanted to show himself not only as a professional but also as someone connected to sport, movement and physical shape. Since he has a strong athletic form, this became a natural part of the story.
We used simple street backgrounds, casual walking shots and several more expressive poses. Some frames were intentionally relaxed. Others were more bold and stylized, created to show confidence, body language and personal style.
Why Simple Backgrounds Often Work Best
For men’s portraits, the background does not always need to be impressive. In many cases, a simple wall, clean street corner or quiet café table works better than a visually busy location.
The reason is simple: the background should support the portrait, not compete with it.
During a photoshoot, I choose backgrounds based on the light, the outfit and the person in front of the camera. I do not always plan every frame in advance, because the best option often depends on what is happening with the light at that exact moment.
Natural light, shadows, reflections, wall color and street direction can change the mood of the image. My job is to see that quickly and use it.
Direction During the Photoshoot
Most men are not professional models, and they do not need to be. I always guide the person during the session. I suggest poses, body angles, hand positions, expressions and small movements.
This is especially important in male photography because stiff posture can quickly make the photo look uncomfortable. Good direction helps create different moods without making the person feel lost.
Sometimes I ask for a very calm portrait. Sometimes I suggest movement. Sometimes I use a more confident pose. Sometimes I make the situation lighter so the person can relax.
Every man is different. Some need more structure. Some need more space. Some look better in calm portraits. Others work better with movement and stronger body language.
A Personal Approach to Every Men’s Photoshoot
A men’s photoshoot is not just about taking a few nice portraits. It is about understanding what kind of image fits the person.
For Tom, the session included business portraits, casual café moments, creative expression and more confident athletic-style images. For another person, the balance could be completely different.
I work with different types of men, different styles and different moods. The location, outfit, light and body language all shape the final result. That is why every session is individual.
The goal is to create portraits that feel natural, confident and useful, whether they are for personal branding, dating profiles, social media, professional use or simply as a strong personal photo story.
Every photoshoot is very individual, and this is why I always want to hear how you see yourself in the photos first. You can tell me what kind of images you need, what mood you want to create and how you would like to use the final photographs. I will listen carefully, suggest different options and help shape the session so the result looks stronger, more natural and more personal. If you are thinking about booking a men’s photoshoot in Lisbon, feel free to write to me and we can plan it together.
