6 Ways to Always Look Fantastic in Photos

Photography tips and tricks to help you look your best.

From school yearbooks to friends’ weddings, we’ve all been in front of a camera at some point or another, but sometimes we’re not always happy with the results. There are a lot of factors that can cause a picture to look unflattering – our outfit choices, using a bad angle for our body or face type, terrible lighting, or unnatural poses.

If you’ve recently looked at a photo with disappointment after you print your work, this post is for you. If you know that you’re going to have a lens pointed in your direction in the near future, we’ve made this list of six simple ways to get better results. These tips will help you whether it’s an informal selfie or a professional photo session.

• Get to know your face: This applies to professional photoshoots as well as everyday photos. Take time getting to know your face, how to smile naturally, and which side or angle of your face you like better. When you see other people’s outstanding pictures and you wonder how they did it, it’s likely because they carefully studied their faces and paid attention to what looks good and what doesn’t. When you print your photos, you’ll notice a big difference in how you look after you figure out how to play up your best features. If you’re working with a trained professional well-versed in photography, don’t be shy about sharing what your favorite features are.

 

• Go easy on the makeup: While an evening out is a different story when it comes to makeup, if you’re having headshots, family, or maternity photos taken, go easy on the makeup. You want some basic coverage to even things out and flatter your features, but you don’t want to overdo it. The emphasis should be on you – not a heavy makeup look that will be out of style in a few years. You should also only stick to accentuating one part of your face, so choose either your eyes or lips but not both. Playing up too many features can be distracting.

 

• Facing the camera: Your professional photographer will help you when it comes to posing for photos, but in general, you shouldn’t always be facing the camera head-on. If you pay attention to red carpet events that movie stars and singers are always photographed at, you’ll always see them positioning themselves at an angle to flatter their bodies and faces. Positioning your body at an angle always makes for better art prints worthy of being displayed in your home. It’s a quick fix that will greatly enhance your photographs. 

 

• Controlling your chin: Professional photographs where your neck is elongated and your chin is pushed slightly forward will lift your face and give it a more angular look. It can also banish the dreaded double chin that can appear seemingly out of nowhere when you have a picture taken. You might want to practice this new move before your next photoshoot in order to get used to it. If you hire a photographer, they’ll be able to give you some pointers.
• Pick your outfit carefully: Put some thought into what you’ll wear when you have professional photos taken. Pair bold designs and patterns with solid colors to avoid too much distraction. Any bold designs should be used sparingly, especially if you want your pictures to appear timeless because bold patterns or designs often go out of style fairly quickly. You should also pay attention to the fit and shape of your outfit. Make sure it compliments you and that you feel comfortable. That will help you remain natural looking and feeling during your photoshoot. 
• Use lighting to your advantage: This is something that photographers will be experts at. The right lighting can mean the difference between that wow factor and disappointment. Avoid standing directly under a light as this will create weird shadows on your face. This is something photographers will help you out with because we are experts, so please take our advice when we suggest a specific time for photos. If shooting outdoors, the best light will be 15 to 20 minutes before and after sunset. Unless it’s an overcast day, we will always try to get you in full shade so that the lighting isn’t dappled or causing weird shadows on your face.

As much as the above tips will help you during your professional photoshoot, always remember to have fun and relax, as this will do wonders for your photos. When you feel comfortable and confident, it will shine through in your pictures. When printing your photos, you’ll be glad you paid attention to this advice because you’ll end up with some of the best images you’ve likely ever had taken.

Originally posted on Suvi Tory Photography