10 Easy Tips On How To Look Good In Photos
Do you want to look better in your photos? Silly question, right? I think we all do.
I've been doing family photography now for over 10 years. In that time, I have discovered ways that us women can look better in our pictures. Now, I want to share that knowledge with you!
With my super easy 10 tips for looking your best, you will feel confident and ready for your next photo session.
The busy Spring season is coming up for my Annapolis, Baltimore, and D.C. photography business so I think this post comes at a perfect time.
Let's dive in!
- 1) Know your angles.
Do you have a side of your face that you prefer being photographed on? Make sure you’re on that side every time you have your photo taken.
Not sure about that one? Take a few practice photos on your phone with your face at different angles. Which one did you like best? That’s your good side! Now, remember to stick to that side for photos.
As for me, I have a slightly crooked tooth on the left side of my mouth. It makes me dislike photos taken on the left side of my face. So guess what, I avoid being photographed on that side!
- 2) Take photos from above not below.
You want your eyes to stand out, not the dreaded double chin. Photos taken from above can accentuate your beautiful eyes and make your face look more symmetrical and thinner!
- 3) Lift your arms.
When we get ready to take a photo our first instinct is to have our arms flat to our sides. But this can make your arms appear larger than they really are.
Try these tips to alleviate this issue:
*Put your hands on your hips
*Put your hand on your child’s shoulder who may be standing in front of you
*Hold your dress or skirt outward which moves your arm away from your body and adds interest in your photo.
- 4) Turn your shoulders.
You don’t want to stand straight on in a photo. You will appear boxy and larger. Try standing on a tilt or turning your shoulders to one side so your body is sideways and you look thinner.
- 5) Shift your weight.
Do you have your weight evenly distributed between both legs? Try shifting your weight to your back leg and bending your front knee a bit. This adjustment will give you a subtle yet flattering "S" curve with your body.
- 6) Have a natural smile.
I always tell people to smile with their eyes too. If you only move your mouth into a smile position and the rest of your face stays the same it tends to look cheesy and fake. But if you can try to think of something that makes you happy or laugh you can get a true authentic smile which always looks better! Even if you fake a laugh for your photo you can get great results.
During my family photography sessions I'm always being goofy. I do this to get true emotions from my clients. I want the photos to represent a your family's real personality.
Do you want to learn more about how I got started in photography and what gear I use? I made this blog post just for you.
- 7) Choose makeup that accentuates your best features.
In some lighting, your eyebrows, eyelashes, or even lip gloss can appear very plain or nonexistent. You might have noticed that in certain photos your best features can almost disappear.
When you are preparing for a photoshoot it’s a good idea to hire a hair and makeup artist. Or at least apply makeup heavier than you normally would.
Have you ever heard of stage makeup? Dancers apply heavy makeup so they can be seen on stage with the bright lights shining on them. Well, it’s the same for a photoshoot. You want to apply makeup heavier than normal so that you don't look washed out in your photos.
This is precisely the reason I include professional hair and makeup styling with all of my sessions. I want you to look and feel your best for your photoshoot!
*Do you want to learn more about my incredible maternity and family photography sessions? Head over to my website where I have tons of information and photos for you to view.
- 8) Great lighting is a must!
Good Lighting:
-Directional lighting is best for photos.
-Light coming in from the left or right.
-Back light
Bad Lighting:
-Light coming from directly in front of you (You will look washed out and you will be squinting.)
-Light coming from directly above you (You will get harsh shadows on your face and it will accentuate any imperfections in your skin and body)
A great photographer understands light and how it affects their subject. Make sure you do your homework and hire a professional that has experience!
I cover some lighting tips on this blog post from last year.
- 9) Take a lot of photos.
You never know which one you’ll like the best. You can always go back and delete the ones you don’t like. During my family photography sessions, I'm always clicking away. I do this because I know how much a facial expression can change from one moment to the next. When I get back to my computer, I can choose the best out of the bunch.
This is actually one of the tips I give in this blog post about photographing families and large groups.
- 10) Practice!
Now that you’ve read these pro tips for looking your best in your photos, go practice what you've learned.
*Get in front of the mirror and practice a few poses and facial expressions. Try these suggestions in front of the mirror:
-Smile with teeth
-Smile with your mouth closed
-Move your body around
-Put your hands on your hips
-Cross your arms
-Experiment with one knee bent and then the other
-Etc.
Test and see what you like the best and then perfect those poses and looks.
Practicing your most flattering poses and smiles isn’t just for models. If you want to know how to be more photogenic, you must practice.
Then when it comes time for our photography session together you will feel confident and ready.
If you're ever unsure as to how you should pose or you have more questions about looking your best in photos please feel free to contact me. I love chatting about all things related to photo shoots. I also have some great resources for choosing the perfect outfit for you and your family's session that I'd be happy to share with you. For example, here's a blog post about what to wear to your holiday themed session.
My clients love my collection of gowns and dresses for women and girls that they can borrow for their photo shoots. If you're interested, I can send you the link to the online gallery of gowns and dresses for you to take a look.
Love everything so far? Ready to book a session with me?
There's a reason why so many people trust me with their precious family's portraits. I have over a decade of experience and I've worked with hundreds of families. If you want to learn more about a maternity photography session or a family photography session with me, do not hesitate to reach out to me today. I'd be happy to chat with you.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and suggestions for looking your best in photos.
Have a fantastic day!
-Amanda
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