When is the best time of year to take your kids senior pictures? In the early fall of their senior year. We have collected some great senior picture ideas for guys so you can be prepared!

While there are a few things that might look similar, one thing that has changed dramatically in recent years is the way senior photo sessions are done. Once upon a time, you just took the high school seniors to a studio and they stood (or sat) in front of a generic canvas, smiled, and that was it. Now, photographers everywhere work hard to incorporate the individual personality of each senior, in as clever and creative a way as possible. You want nothing less for your grad!

Senior Picture Ideas Guys

Before we go to the pose suggestions, here are the…

Top Tips for the BEST Senior Portraits

  1. Keep it Simple.
  2. Use the backgrounds of different locations you have.  A big bush, the sports field, grandma’s back yard… a blank white wall from your house.
  3. Show their personality! Don’t be afraid of being goofy or sullen–show who they really are.
  4. Shoot in the Golden Hour – this is the hour before and immediately after sunset. This is when the light is the best!
  5.  Include their hobbies or their pets. What are the things they care about the most? Feature them!

If you’re stressing out, trying to find that perfect idea that will highlight your son’s personality, and show the man he’s become, you have permission to cease stressing now. We’ve given you an inspiring list of 18 senior picture ideas for guys that will certainly show off their passions and character.

Senior Picture Ideas for Boys

Fun Senior Picture Ideas for Guys

1. Wear their graduation outfit in their senior portrait session

Love this fist shot in the top corner. It was easy! This photoshoot was a blast, and they had so many different poses. Hint for the photographer–get the dress, cap, and diploma portfolio for your school colors. You can take the photos with them before they walk. You’re not left waiting for the actual graduation on this one!

2. It’s a Home Run with This Senior Photo

You’re busy–so score some amazing shots for your son’s senior photos the easy way by planning a few extra minutes during one of your afternoon school runs to hold a photo session for your son in the school baseball/ football field.

This baseball picture, with his graduation year arranged in baseballs and a bat, is one of the many senior photo ideas you can borrow. You’re guaranteed to hit a home run with his senior pictures!

Your boy already has his baseball uniform, balls, bat, and there’s no shower, or any preparation needed. His stinky self only serves you better by giving you real, raw, authentic photos– haha!

3. Keep it Simple: Got a Big Bush in the Yard?

Actually, the simpler the pose and the background, the more your shy guys are able to shine through in his senior portraits. The Hands-on-the-hips is a simple pose that’s easy to pull off, and says they are ready for that next stage of their life!

4. Find Fun Walls

This old fence is perfect for a rustic portrait shot. The best part of getting your son’s senior picture done this way is that it won’t take much effort from either of you. Posing your son in front of a fence is a classic–but why not combine different poses in front of the fence into a single image? This one looks great, and really captures personality!

senior picture ideas for guys - image with 3 different poses of a guy posing in front of a rustic fence
Combine different poses in front of a fence into a single image from Tyler R. Brown Photography

5. Find MORE Fun Walls in Your Local Town

If these walls could talk, I wonder what secrets they’d tell –  Gayle Forman

We might never know all the details, but any picture taken against a wall is a classic pose. I prefer stone, like the picture on the right, but brick or barn wood look great, too!

You can also go monochromatic–like the kiddo on the left. He picked a distinctive wall in his town and wore a t-shirt to match it. Crossing their arms, and leaning on the wall is an easy pose even for more introverted fellas.

18 Winning Senior Picture Ideas for Guys

6.  Use a Plain Wall to Capture Their Passion – Being a Punk, Or Running Track

The cool thing about these senior portrait ideas is that almost every home has a blank wall. Even if it is not white, a plain background helps “focus the attention” in the shots. In the top shot, the student loved chewing gum and got loads of demerits for it – he used his senior portraits as an opportunity to have the last laugh.

In the other shot, a track student struck up a running pose. In this one, they took items out of the background with photoshop. I bet your senior will have a blast hamming it up for his photos, and then editing them later!

Senior Picture Ideas for Boys

7. Go Black and White in a Simple Portrait For His Senior Picture

Life is in color, but black and white is more realistic. – Samuel Fuller

Guys are simple and taking their photos is bliss, sometimes. Oftentimes, simplicity wins the day. Like this black and white picture, taken alongside a wall. Although he can be smiling, a serious look works well for this pose, too.

8. His Regular Sports Session Gives Great Senior Pictures, Too!

Don’t wait until it’s too late to start racking your brain for senior photo ideas for your boy. On a regular day, after or before one of his football games, take this great shot of your football player. Be sure to get one in color to show off the school colors.

senior picture idea for guys - guy's face partially hidden by a football he's holding upright in front of his face.

9. A Barn and the Letterman Jacket for a Winning Senior Picture Idea

This senior picture idea for your not-so-little guy is a winner, and getting a shot in the Letterman jacket is a must. Whether he cracks a smile or not, we love how it pops against the barn and trees/weeds … talk about perfect props!

10. Secret Batman? Cool Senior Picture!

Most boys have a love for comic books they won’t be dropping any time soon, no matter how old they get. Does your son have one? Acknowledge it, and help him show off his superhero status!

He might not show you outwardly but trust us, he’ll be grinning from ear to ear on the inside…

11. Edgy Senior Photo Idea for Guys

Ergonomics aside, except in formal settings, do our boys ever sit on a chair as we all do and should? Rarely! The backward chair pose is a go-to for guys, and it looks great for almost everyone!

Jazz it up by taking it outdoors, and have an amazing backdrop and props for this edgy senior photo idea for guys.

18 Winning Senior Picture Ideas for Guys

12. All Suited Up!

Take your son’s senior picture while he’s all decked out in a nice suit. Hey, even if we don’t much care for suits, everyone looks good dressed up now and then! Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear or two…doesn’t your boy look oh, so grown-up?!

senior photo ideas for guys - guy in suit posing for photo along an empty sidewalk

13. Go Outside!

As I mentioned above, the hour before sunset and right after sunset is the best time to take portrait photos outside. They call this the photography “golden hour”. Usually, you will need a flash to front fill the faces, but boy, the results are awesome.

For a pose, put a hand in the pocket (make sure to keep their thumb out) or have him rest an arm on his leg, as he’s seated.

18 Winning Senior Picture Ideas for Guys

14. First Ride? Snap a Picture with that First Car

We rarely can separate a boy and his first ride–even if he hated it a lot at first. In your defense, that vintage hand-me-down ride has kept him  safe, and it was what you guys could afford. Plus, he always loved trying to drive a stick even before he started walking. Now that you can’t keep him away from that noisy ride, why not make it a part of his senior picture?

senior picture idea for guys - guy seated on top of a light blue pick up truck.

15. Country Boy Look? An Empty Railroad Track Is All You Need

For your boy’s senior photo, you should get a picture by the railroad tracks! We have several in our small town, and they rarely have trains on them, so this is an easy choice for the country boy look. Don’t mind the dusty shoes; they really complete the picture!

**Please be very careful anywhere near train tracks!

senior picture ideas for guys - guy posing for a photo while seating on an empty railroad track

16. Bridge That Gap – Finest Senior Photo Idea for Guys

What’s not to love about bridges.

Not only do bridges have fantastic lines, like this one, we also love their symbolism. Your son is in the last days of senior year, moving on to the next chapter of his life. His senior photo might as well feature a bridge during this transitional year!

senior picture ideas for guys - guy seated on bridge
Take a senior picture on a bridge from foresterphoto.com

17. Effortless Senior Picture Ideas – Catch Him in His Element

One of the best ways to effortlessly get beautiful shots is to catch your boy in his element. Is he a musician? Get a shot that focuses on his instrument!

18. Penny For Your Thoughts? Amazing Senior Picture

Your son is probably always on the basketball court–shooting hoops, or lost in deep thoughts. We love the perspective of this basketball picture, looking down from the hoop. Catch him during one of his sessions for this casual, yet great, photo.

senior picture idea for guys - photo taken from above a basketball hoop of guy looking up and holding basketball

19. Senior Picture Idea for Wrestlers

I’ve yet to meet or hear of a wrestler who’s not proud of his sport. If your son is one, this will also be an easy photoshoot session for both of you. You’re welcome to borrow our idea of our favorite wrestling photo… the shoes and headgear hanging from a tree, along with his medals.

Be sure to also take one where he’s in focus, blurring out the stuff hanging on the tree…

a wrestler's medals, helmet, and shoe hanging on a tree and a guy seen out of focus in the image

Whether he’s into sports, cars, music, or just looking downright handsome (maybe that’s more your goal than his), there are so many possibilities for your son’s senior pictures, these just scratch the surface.

Your photographer can take a few of these ideas and run with it!

More Back to School Ideas: 

Which senior picture idea is your favorite?

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9 Comments

  1. The senior picture ideas for guys are fantastic. I like how they really use what was important to the kid while they were in school and incorporate it into the photo to make a real memory.

  2. As a mom of 3 boys, I really appreciate these senior picture ideas for guys! It’s hard to know how to get them to “pose” so they feel comfortable, and these ideas are perfect!

  3. I love the black and white one with the football. Definitely stealing that one! I’ve been finding it hard to come up with boys senior picture ideas for my son – your list has definitely got some great ideas!

  4. PLEASE stay off the railroad tracks. Yes they are great photos, but it’s illegal and considered trespassing. The Department of Transportation in the U.S. is cracking down in this and you can be fined or even arrested for taking photos on a railroad track. It’s irresponsible to even suggest this in an article.

  5. With three sons, these senior picture ideas for guys are great- I love the black & white. Thanks so much for sharing these – senior year comes much to fast!!