How to have your picture taken, well.

Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to be more photogenic than the rest of us? They always look good in photographs while we just look like ourselves but with added disappointment.
 Of course, a lot depends on the photographer, but the subject does have some control too.
You may have noticed that some people – even those not particularly attractive in real life – come out better in pictures than others. What’s their secret?

It’s nothing magical. Photogenic people usually like having their picture taken, and are relaxed & happy when the camera appears. Believe it or not, they have a triggered response and actually do things to make themselves look better!  Just like if you’re used to having bad pictures taken of yourself, you probably get nervous in front of the camera. The good news is that because it’s a skill, it can be learned!

A photograph is a frozen, two-dimensional image of you from one angle. The bad thing is that it can’t show all your good attributes like we see them with two eyes. The great thing is, you can easily ‘trick the camera’ by hiding the features you don’t like. Here are some tips that will help you take prettier pictures:

Wear extra makeup
They say that cameras eat makeup so do not be afraid to use much more than you would normally.Wearing a foundation is an absolute must, especially with modern-day digital cameras that pick up every imperfection. I recommend mascara and at least a semi-sheer lipstick, even if it’s a casual shot. Eyeliner is awesome because it helps define your eyes – without it, features can often get lost. False eyelashes are a good idea. And don’t forget the blush or bronzer – the camera tends to wash out the colours and you don’t want to end up washed out and plain
.
Prepare a flattering outfit & practice posing in it

Don’t throw something on that you think will look good; know what looks good by trying on the outfit beforehand. Practice different poses in front of the mirror and determine which ones work best and which to avoid (different poses look better with different outfits). Pay attention to any problems with the outfit (flap flipping to the wrong side, skirt twisting or riding up, shirt wrinkling in an unflattering way, etc) – so you can keep and eye and fix those during the shoot.

Instant slim-down techniques
There are ways to trick the camera eye into thinking you’re slimmer than you actually are. This has nothing to do with your actual weight, it’s just something you can use to your advantage for more flattering poses. By the way, most professional models employ these techniques as well.

• Turn your body (and face if you want to) 3/4 to the camera. Voila, you just cut your weight by a third!
• Shift weight to one foot – preferably the leg that’s away from the camera.
• If you have any ‘problem areas’ you’re insecure about (hips, tummy), cover them with your hands, props or clothing.
• Suck in your tummy! This is easy to forget when you’re posing, so ask the photographer (or a friend) to gently remind you throughout the shoot.
• Stretch out every single bone in your body – your legs, your torso, your neck. This will instantly make you look taller, slimmer and more confident! When stretching your neck, tilt the chin down a little bit to avoid the up-the-nose shots.
• Wear heels, even if you normally don’t. Heels elongate your legs look and force you to carry yourself in a different, more confident way.

Other tricks

• Determine the source of light and keep your face towards it. Facing away from the light can create unflattering shadows which might work in some cases, but only the photographer will know. Don’t be afraid to ask the photographer which way to keep your face throughout the shoot.

• Lean slightly towards the camera. Doing so adds interest, dimension and a more natural look to a photo.

• Use props! Anything – a hat, a book, an apple! Having something to fumble and interact with will make you more relaxed and make for more interesting pictures.

• Imagine the photographer is someone you are hugely attracted to! That boy you saw last week at the coffee shop? Your old-time crush? They’re behind the lens. Doing this will bring out the natural flirtatiousness in you and light up your face with a smile.

And last but not least: enjoy yourself! :) Getting your picture taken used to be heaps easier when we didn’t have digital cameras, and couldn’t scrutinise every single picture we took. We’d just relax and know that whatever is on film we can look at later. It’s ok to glance at the screen every once in a while just to see if there’s anything that could be improved, but don’t over-focus on it. And don’t expect every single shot to be a masterpiece – even the best photographers out there usually get 3-7 keepers out of 100 images taken. Have fun and don’t be too harsh on yourself, and your photos will turn out superbly!