The principles for looking good in photos are fairly straightforward, whether or not you are innately photogenic. If the thought of having your picture taken fills you with trepidation, or you're just in search of perfection every time and won't settle for anything less, there are a few basic things you should be conscious of.
You won't always know in advance that you're going to be photographed. If you do, however, make an effort to dress appropriately. It's normally best to avoid striped clothing and clashing colours - go for simple, classic clothes you feel comfortable in. Under studio lighting or the glare of the camera flash, thin fabrics may become more revealing, so be aware of this.
Your posture is an important factor for the way you will appear in a photo. In order to avoid looking shorter than you are or exaggerating your stomach, make sure you don't hunch or slouch. As a default, adopt a tall, straight stance, but also try twisting your body slightly, with your best side facing the camera. Keeping your shoulders relaxed will help ensure you look natural.
Obviously, your face is the focus of any portrait. Unless you're deliberately trying to convey a specific emotion such as amusement or fear, an authentic smile is the best option. If you find that your smile often looks forced on photos, try recalling something that made you laugh, or think about a happy experience you had recently. And remember, it won't look genuine if you don't smile with your eyes as well - relax your eyes and eyebrows, and be prepared to let the viewer in.
The backdrop for your photo and the lighting conditions will also make a huge difference. Always be sure to have at look at the environment you are in and work out the best angle for the shot, and try to avoid standing with light directly hitting your face, or light coming from behind you, which would be overexposed. Having a mirror to hand is always helpful, but in some cases there won't be a mirror available. As long as you keep practising, you will soon become a lot happier about having your photo taken.
You won't always know in advance that you're going to be photographed. If you do, however, make an effort to dress appropriately. It's normally best to avoid striped clothing and clashing colours - go for simple, classic clothes you feel comfortable in. Under studio lighting or the glare of the camera flash, thin fabrics may become more revealing, so be aware of this.
Your posture is an important factor for the way you will appear in a photo. In order to avoid looking shorter than you are or exaggerating your stomach, make sure you don't hunch or slouch. As a default, adopt a tall, straight stance, but also try twisting your body slightly, with your best side facing the camera. Keeping your shoulders relaxed will help ensure you look natural.
Obviously, your face is the focus of any portrait. Unless you're deliberately trying to convey a specific emotion such as amusement or fear, an authentic smile is the best option. If you find that your smile often looks forced on photos, try recalling something that made you laugh, or think about a happy experience you had recently. And remember, it won't look genuine if you don't smile with your eyes as well - relax your eyes and eyebrows, and be prepared to let the viewer in.
The backdrop for your photo and the lighting conditions will also make a huge difference. Always be sure to have at look at the environment you are in and work out the best angle for the shot, and try to avoid standing with light directly hitting your face, or light coming from behind you, which would be overexposed. Having a mirror to hand is always helpful, but in some cases there won't be a mirror available. As long as you keep practising, you will soon become a lot happier about having your photo taken.
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