How to Be Photogenic

How to Be Photogenic

Smile and say, "Cheese!"

Do you dislike having your picture taken because you always seem to
come out looking hideous? Felt jealous of your friend who always comes
out flawless in photos? What's the deal with pictures? While being
photogenic just comes naturally to some people, there are a few things
that anyone can do to look better in photos. Try out the tricks in
this article and stop running for cover whenever the camera comes out.

!! Steps !!

Be aware of what creates your photogenic appeal.
Being photogenic refers to the ability of a
photo subject to appear very attractive in
photos.[1] It is important to grasp that being
naturally beautiful or striking does not
necessarily translate to being photogenic in
photos. Being photogenic is about awareness of
how to put your best self forward, and knowing
how to express your charisma for the camera.
These are learned techniques, including applying
your knowledge of the best backgrounds,
lighting, and positioning for a good photo. In
fact, it's not unusual for "Miss Photogenic" to
be a different person from "Ms Beauty Queen" in
beauty pageants because the photogenic subject
has learned how to work the camera best.[2]

* Aim to learn the following techniques so that they become second
nature and you cease to be conscious of using them and just "do
it".

* The more opportunities you have to practice in front of the
camera, the better.

* The two dimensional nature of photographs causes us to lose depth
perception; for some people, this also loses what makes you
attractive in real life.

Focus on what you're wearing. Even if you're
not being photographed, knowing how to present
yourself in a way that makes the most of your
assets is important. Clothing style and color
will impact the photogenic appeal of your
photographs.

* Select the right clothes. Color matters for a good photo. Patterns
can overwhelm you, horizontal stripes can make you appear too wide
(the two dimensional aspect already does this anyway, so don't add
to it!), and wearing a single tone can cause you to blend together
and appear bland and undefined. Solids and neutrals work best.

* Wear clothes with colors that suit you. Certain colors complement
certain skin tones, while others tend to bring out the worst.
Also, take into consideration your hair color. You may have a feel
for which colors you look best in, but if not, do some research on
colors that suit your complexion and work it out through
trial-and-error.

* Avoid red, black or white. Digital cameras can have difficulties
with red, and black and white present too much by way of
contrast.[3]

Mind your complexion and grooming. There is a
lot you can do to improve on what nature has
gifted you with by way of appearance. Fixing up
common complexion errors is important for
photos.

* Hide your blemishes. The bad thing about photographs is that
because they're simply frozen images of one angle in an instant in
time, they can't show all your good attributes. The good thing
about them is that you can easily hide certain features you
don't like. Be careful with makeup tones: makeup colors appear
more intense in photos.

* Keep the shine down. It is so important to keep the shine down in
the ever-troublesome T-zone - the top of your nose and your
forehead. While this especially important on a warm day, even the
coolest among us may get a little sweaty when faced with the lens
of a camera.

* Use makeup to cover skin redness, which will stand out in photos.

* Use eye drops to clear redness in your eyes. Staring at a light
source for a few moments will reduce your pupil size and reduces
the chances of red eye (don't stare directly at the sun though!).

* Brush your hair into place. Frizzy or loose hairs can appear
messy.

* Keep your face in equilibrium. Look at your
face in the mirror. That's not actually the face which shows in
your photograph. Now stare at your own reflection. After some time
your face will reach its "normal" appearance, your "equilibrium"
face. Now deactivate your eye region and activate your lip region.
Don't clench your teeth; just make sure that your upper and lower
jaw molars touch each other. Always smile if your complexion is
dark or dull and your smile should be a slight one. At the same
time, stress the corners of your eyes and raise your eyebrows a
little. Practice this exercise every day before mirror for a few
minutes. In one month, it will become a habit whenever someone
tries to take a photograph of you.
Work the angles. Camerawork isn't all a
mystery: people who are photographed for a
living are keenly aware of which angles and
poses work best for them, and they ensure that
this is what they present to the camera most
times. In addition, there are a few "model's
tricks" you can use to your advantage:

* Determine your best angle. Finding the right angle for your face
can be challenging. Experiment using a digital camera so you see
the results of each pose immediately. It will very quickly become
obvious which angles are most flattering for you. Once you're
aware of this, use the best angles as much as possible in the
future.

* The classic model's pose is to arrange your body three quarters
toward the camera with one foot in front of the other and one
shoulder closer to the camera than the other. Women tend to do
this naturally, but it's harder for men, who tend to present a
square angle front-on to the camera.[4] Making it appear too like
a model isn't the best pose for everybody, however, and it can
look a little overdone when used in a family photo right next to
your Uncle Wilbur.

* If sitting, slightly angle yourself.[5]

* Try looking slightly above the camera when the picture is taken.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis always used this technique for
photographs and portraits. Additionally, it helps reduce the "red
eye" effect.

* Lean slightly toward the camera; it adds interest, improves facial
definition and helps to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and
flabby skin. Just keep your chin tucked down.[6]

* Be careful how you tilt to avoid the double chin lookGet rid
of a double chin. Tilt your head up slightly and try to position
yourself so that the camera is a little above, or at, your eye
level. This will hide a double chin effectively. You can also put
one hand under your chin as though you're resting your head on
your hand (keep the thumb side of your hand out of the camera's
view, if possible). Don't actually rest any weight on the hand,
however, or you will push the skin into an unflattering position.
Also, try resting your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

* Focus on your posture. Not only does this
matter for photos but daily good posture makes everything easier
in life, including your confidence. Good posture can dramatically
improve your appearance in pictures. Sitting or standing up
straight will make you look healthier and more alert and, if in a
group setting, and more attractive than your slouching companions.
Breathe normally and relax your shoulders. If you usually have bad
posture, it may be difficult to stand up straight and not look
stiff, so practice this in the mirror, working toward improving
your posture in the long term.
Relax. The more comfortable and relaxed you
appear, the better the photo will turn out.
Many people end up looking odd in photos
because they freeze into odd facial expressions
with a "say cheese" type of smile on their
face. If you're used to having bad pictures
taken of yourself, you probably get nervous in
front of the camera, and this can make things
even worse. If you know a picture is about to
be taken, take a deep breath and exhale
naturally, relaxing your arms and shoulders. As
you exhale, smile or strike whatever pose is
appropriate.

* Don't hold your breath, either in or out, otherwise you'll appear
as though you're tense or suffocating.

* If you see the photo coming too late, don't panic and try to
strike a pose. Keep doing what you're doing and try to ignore the
camera. It may not turn out perfectly, but you've got a better
chance than if the camera catches you quickly trying to change
your facial expression.

* Relax your lip (mouth) region and don't have any delirious
thoughts filled with gloom. It's a natural way to appear fresh and
appealing in photographs.

* Don't be so relaxed that you appear distracted. Distraction or
annoyance always shows in the photograph. Just relax and your
picture will be perfect.

Think happy thoughts. An unnatural, forced
smile can make you look stiff and, frankly,
weird. When people are smiling and waiting for
a photo to be snapped, their facial muscles can
be caught in all sorts of strange positions. To
remedy this, try to time you're smile so that
you don't have to hold it for too long. Also,
imagine something funny (don't be afraid to
laugh a bit, even) or think of someone—your
spouse or child, for example—who makes you
happy. By doing so, you'll get a genuine
smile. If you don't like your smile or your
teeth, try a more subdued, closed- or
partially-closed-mouth smile. Regardless of how
you choose to smile, the happier and more
relaxed you are, the better.

* Smile with your eyes. Nothing projects happiness and beauty like
smiling eyes: a happy, somewhat mischievous expression of the
eyes. To achieve this effect, imagine that the camera is a person
you have a crush on walking into the room. This will create wider
open eyes and a relaxed, three-quarter smile. Think about your
crush or lover; this will make you blush making your cheeks rosy
red. Chances are you unconsciously do this all the time; the
trick is to be able to bring it out on demand, so practice the
smiling eyes in front of a mirror, and creating a smile "trigger".

* Fake it till you make it. People are often photogenic because they
like having their picture taken. They are therefore relaxed and
happy when the camera appears. If you cannot muster up genuine
love of the camera, pretend you like the camera. Imagine the
camera is someone you love, a long lost friend, an old flame, your
child at age three, or whatever you need to look at the camera
lovingly. Try it — it really does work.

Improve the photography situation itself.
Whether it's the location, the photographer, or
the after-photo skills, there are some external
things you can change to improve your chances
of appearing photogenic.

* Pick the right location. Obviously if you're having your picture
taken on vacation, you can't randomly decide that you want to have
your picture taken somewhere else entirely. However, you can guide
your photographer to where you want the photos taken. Sometimes,
it's best to have a photo taken against a plain background but if
you're on vacation, make allowances to capture some of the
scenery. In this case, try to take it outside with natural light.
You'll naturally look radiant and still stand out from the
stunning background. The best times for good light are early
morning and evening; a golden glow on your face can work wonders.

* Get a better photographer. Professional photographers know how to
bring out the beauty in every person. You can't always choose your
photographer, but sometimes you can. If you need headshots for
modeling, get the best professional you can find. If you're going
to put up a shot for an online dating service, choose a photo that
is recent, that flatters you, but most importantly choose a photo
that actually looks like it is you.

* Ask the photographer to have the camera at eye level or only just
above eye level. This allows for the most natural, flattering
photo. If the lens is lower, your shot risks showing a double
chin.

* Edit or enhance photos. If you've tried everything, but you still
can't seem to get a good picture of yourself in any environment,
try retouching your digital photos. Changing the lighting effects
or filter effects, for example, can dramatically improve the
appearance of your complexion.

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Study pictures of models and other photogenic people. If
appropriate for your personality, experiment with mimicking their
poses and angles.

* Always aim to stand or sit at a slight angle to the camera.

* Model photos are not what family members or friends are looking
for in a picture. Don't overdo the modeling poses.

* When in a seated group shot, be sure the chairs are placed as
close together as possible. Instead of leaning in, sit up straight
and relax.

* Have your close friends look at the pictures you've taken to help
you ascertain when you look your best. Sometimes, a critical
second set of eyes is a great help.

* People with highly animated faces stand a better chance of getting
captured during a transient grotesque expression. Frame-by-frame
video is a great way to see significant differences between the
photogenic and the not-so-photogenic.

* Practice smiling in front of the mirror. In no time you'll know
which smile looks fake and which is the most flattering. Learning
how your face moves will help when someone grabs for the camera.
Smile using your top row of teeth: it may feel unnatural but a
smile with both rows of teeth can easily look fake.

* Keep your tongue behind your teeth.

* If it is a full-length shot, position your body 45 degrees from
the camera, then turn your head towards the lens. Stand with one
foot crossed in front of the other and put all your weight on your
back leg. This pose is very slimming and universally flattering.

* While being photographed, try to keep all body parts as close to
your torso and face as possible, as anything protruding directly
at the camera will seem huge in the photo. The one exception is
that some women often hold their arms just a couple inches or
centimetres away from their body because holding them too close
can exacerbate the look of flabby upper arms.

* Three seconds before the shutter clicks, have your head down, and
then slowly bring it up. Don't jerk your head, though that may
work. Smile while bringing your head up. When the picture is
taken, your mouth should be in a fully relaxed smile. This way,
your face is fully relaxed. Relax your eyes for the photo and feel
relaxed. This may not work for all, so experiment when finding
your photo taking style.

* Don't look at the camera; look through it.

* If taking your own photos, on a webcam, phone camera, digital
camera or someting else, this takes practice. You'll need to learn
the correct angle you want to take it at, so you can move your
hand to the position.

* Normal photographs are two dimensional, losing depth perception,
making the subject look wider. For some individuals, this also
makes the subject look more attractive.[7] Interestingly, stereo
3D photos don't have a problem with "photogenicity" because the
depth perception is maintained. You'll look as great as you do in
real life![8]

!! Warnings !!

* Avoid saying cheese or anything else; doing this can produce a
grin. Use the happy thoughts technique instead.

* Make sure your photos look like you. These steps can help you
better capture your natural beauty in pictures, but if you end up
doctoring your photos too much you're liable to look like
someone you're not. While you want to put your best face
forward for online dating sites or acting headshots, you also want
to make sure you accurately represent yourself. If you don't,
dates and potential employers may feel deceived.

* Sucking in your stomach will cause you to appear unattractive
because your ribs may poke through your shirt. Worse, it will make
you look slightly uncomfortable, which is never appealing.

* Tilting your head down slightly can sometimes create the effect of
a double-chin, rather than hiding one.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* Plain, neutral colored clothes

* Grooming items

* Suitable locations

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Look Like a Model

* How to Pose for Portraits

* How to Dress to Make Yourself Look Skinnier

* How to Smile

* How to Have a Great Photoshoot

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

* Read on wikiHow

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