How to Look Good in EVERY Photo!
7.21.20
With Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and so on, we all have our own reasons for wanting to look good on camera these days. I've been a model and on camera for more than 10 years now, so I've definitely picked up some tips and tricks along the way of my career. Here are all of my best tips, tricks and secrets for looking good in photos so you can nail the shot, every single time!
Find Your Light
Good lighting is THE most important thing when it comes to getting a great photo. The easiest way to get a great, naturally lit photo, is to simply stand in front of a window, put your phone on selfie mode and let that natural light hit your face. It is instantly flattering and immediately makes for a great shot.
Shoot During Golden Hour
Golden hour is an amazing time to take photos if you are willing to wake up at the crack of dawn or run outside right when the sun is setting, you’ll be setting yourself up for some perfect photo light. There are even times when I was on shoots where we would only shoot in the morning or in the evenings strictly so we could utilize that beautiful golden hour light. If you’re committed, use the weather app to track sunrise and sunset so you know exactly when golden hour is for your photo!
Find Some Shade
Sometimes though it’s hard to get a great photo in the middle of the the day. Especially on really sunny days, when light coming from all different angles, it can make things difficult. My tip for this is to make sure you are covered by the shade but that your face is still getting hit by the natural light so the photo won’t turn out too dark or overexposed.
Light to Avoid
There is some light that is straight up unflattering for anyone and everyone! I would avoid direct overhead light because it can create unflattering shadows. I would also avoid any light coming from below, like the light from a candle and I would definitely avoid any type of florescent light. They just don’t do any favors for anyone!
Be Aware of Your Posture
Having (or appearing to have) good posture in all of your photos is key. When you stand, imagine that a thread is pulling you from the top of your head up to the sky. You almost want to feel like a dancer, being really aware of your entire body. Shoulders should always be down and away from your ears and your core should be engaged, almost like you would do when you are in a plank. Getting the shot is a full body workout!
Elongate Your Limbs
It NEVER looks good when you are hunched up in a tiny ball in a photo. I always try to have one leg or arm extended out to elongate my body to have it look longer in the photo, as doing so is always really flattering.
Hand Placement
Do you ever take a photo and think, ‘what the heck do I do with my hands?’ SAME. So my tip for this is to first bring in a prop. Use your handbag, your grocery bag, phone- whatever it takes to give your hands something to do. Doing this also adds some action to the photo which makes the shot less stiff. My second tip is to put your hands in your pockets! Jean pockets, coat pocket, even sweatshirt pockets- it breaks up the photo and adds that moving element. If you don’t have a pocket, fear not. You can simply cross your arms, play with your hair, put your hands in your mouth-whatever it takes!
Shift Your Weight
Another great tip is to shift your hips from side to side in a photo. It’s really rare to see a model just standing still with her arms at her side. It is always good to just subtly move your hips from side to side and play up the shape of your body to create different shots.
Shift Your Hips Back
I always shift my hips back when I am getting my photo taken. I try and think about my tailbone going to back of room as it creates a really nice shape for the legs and creates a flattering shape for the whole body.
Create Shapes
It's always more flattering to be able to see your waistline versus just having your hands close to your body. Put a hand on your hips or in a pocket to create distance between your arms and your waist so you can show off your figure!
Fake Walk
ALL models do this. It’s the best trick in the book to fake movement in a photo. If you ever see a photoshoot happening, you will definitely see a model taking a fake step forward and back. This trick instantly creates some movement and helps create different shapes with your body.
Finding Your Photo Face
Not to sound too “America’s Next Top Model”, but practicing in the mirror is a total game changer. Practicing expressions in the mirror or even by using selfie mode on your camera is the only way you are going to figure out how you feel you look best in photos. Use different angles, smile with teeth or without teeth. Try a slight smirk. Use a whole bunch of expressions so you can figure out your go-to selfie face.
Fake laugh
If you are having trouble with the smiling v. not smiling debate, don’t worry. Fake laughing is a great way to feel a little more candid and less ridged in photos. And seriously, don’t feel weird about giggling to yourself-literally every model I know does it!
Raise Your Eyebrows
This may be weird, but I always slightly raise my eyebrows when I am getting my picture taken. I actually don’t think I can be on camera without doing so as it is truly has become a reflex. I feel that doing this gives my entire face a mini face lift and makes me feel and look more awake.
Smize
I know it may seem very Zoolander, but it works. Squinting your eyes and doing a slight smile is a little more mysterious than a straight-up grin. Squinting your eyes slightly also helps you avoid the deer in headlights' look that none of us want.
Tongue Placement
Another weird tip I have is to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth when you are smiling and posing. For whatever reason, I find it elongates the neck and makes it look more sculpted in pictures.
Setting Up the Shot
I assure you, you don’t need anything fancy to take a good photo-your phones camera is just enough! But what you will want to do is properly set up the shot by posing someone else in it, before you ask them to take it. If you have an Instagram Husband or Instagram Boyfriend for this, amazing! What I always do is first, I’ll take a photo of the background or area I like just to see how the photo looks. Then I will ask my husband to step in and set him up how I want the photo to look. Doing this really lets me envision what the photo will look like and help show the person who is taking the picture what I want it to look like.
Take LOTS of pics!
I ALWAYS use burst mode! Not only so that my husband doesn’t get bored, but so that I have a ton of options to choose from. It’s the best way to get a ton of photos in a short amount of time, which is a win-win for everyone!
Take Videos in Selfie Mode
Another way to get the shot is to put your phone in selfie mode, start recording a video and starting slowly pose in front of the camera. Once you've taken a few seconds of movement and posing, you can pause the video and look for a great moment and take a screen shot. There's your photo!
Pick What the Focus of the Photo is
A lot of times I’ll have a cute coat or purse that I want the photo to revolve around which is really helpful in creating a cool image. I’ll also pick a focus by trying to find a cute background for the picture. And don’t worry, you don’t need to be traveling to a crazy place to do this. Colorful walls, plants, and greenery all work even if you are inside of your apartment!
Get the Shot ASAP
If you are feeling confident and want to get that shot up on the ‘gram, have a plan. When you go somewhere, really scout out the place first and see where you would want to get your shot and take it ASAP. Doing this not only gets the photo out of the way, but allows you to be present wherever you are without worrying about taking pics.
Now go get your selfie game on! You are ready to pose like a pro!
I'm giving you all of my best tips and tricks for becoming a posing pro!
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