10 steps to looking great in pictures

Ten steps to be more more photogenic!

HOW TO LOOK GREAT IN PICTURES

10 STEPS TO LOOKING GREAT IN PICTURES There are dozens of tricks, tips and advice that claim to teach you how to be fabulously photogenic every time you step in front of the camera. No, you don’t always have a good hair day or the clearest complexion and you don’t always feel like being photographed.

Despite all the possible obstacles that stand between you and your fabulous photogenic self, there are steps you can take to appear your absolute best. We’ve compiled a list of 10 sure things to make you look as best as you can.

1. DRESS WELL IF

you know you’re going to be photographed, don’t wear stripes or crazy patterns unless you have a runway model figure.

Opt for neutral colors, unless you are one hundred percent certain that color looks great on you. A pop of color in a tone that compliments your complexion or personality will make you look fresh. bright and youthful.

Black is considered to be slimming, but solid black is not necessarily your best bet for a photo. Depending on the lighting, black might absorb all shadows and make your natural curves dissapear. Black with some texture, lace for example, is better.

Wear well fitting clothes reagrdless of what your size or shape is. Clothes should fit your curves, especially along the top.

Billowy tops, raglan or batwing sleves do not look flattering in pictures.

Avoid high-contrast patterns or prints, they will distrac from your face. Logos and graphics are also best to avoid unless they are subtle or are part of the specific styling idea.

Make sure your clothes are in good repair and not wrinkled. You want to go for a polished, streamlined appearance.

Don’t forget to accessorize for a well-puttogether look. This applies to both men and women.

2. STAND UP STRAIGHT makes you look S louching nonchalant, but it also might make you look short and/or dumpy.

Place one foot behind the other, and lean back just a little bit. You’ll still look relaxed, but you’ll also look tall.

Make sure your back is straight and shoulders are down. Shake out your sholders to relax - you will appear less rigid. You energy in the images definitely shows. Flex your abs to appear more energetic and youthful.

When someone points a camera at you it’s a natural human reaction to look directly at it, but resist doing this.

Look above the camera or below, but don’t look directly at the camera. You will look less nervous.

The same goes for the tilt of your head. A recent study found that men who tilt their head back slightly and woman who tilt their head forward are more attractive. The same goes for your feet and body, if they’re angled directly at the camera, shift them (and your body) slightly.

Do your best to avoid having someone’s arm around your shoulder.

You will look weighted down.

3. CHIN OUT & DOWN your head slightly away from the camera, extend your neck, then tilt your head down.

T urn Your face will look thinner and you won’t have a double chin - always a bonus.

Pay attention to the camera position. If the lens is at your eye level or above, you’re in the right frame. If the lens is below your eye level, then you run the risk of looking like you have an extra chin. Bend your knees so you’re at least on an even plane with the photographer (assuming it’s not a full-body photo). If you’re significantly taller than the photographer, sit in a chair and look up toward the camera. As awkward as you may feel doing it, project your chin out an inch or so more than you normally would. This will visually separate your face from the neck by creating a shadow under your chin and you’ll have a slender neck minus the double chin as a result.

4. TWIST & TURN face camera directly. Stand facing slightly away from the camera, then twist at the D on’t waist to face the camera. Make it subtle - if you overdo it you will look unnatural and overly posed.

Turn your head. Most people have asymmetrical features - one eye is larger than the other or the right brow is a bit higher than the left. Turn your chin slightly to one side or the other - posing with two-thirds of the face in view and the remaining third turned slightly away from the camera.

That way, facial asymmetry is not as obvious. This particular angle also has a slimming effect,

5. AVOID FLASH A

void the unforgiving bare flash at all costs. If you can’t get around it, search your pockets for a translucent candy or gum wrapper and put it over the flash to diffuse it. Flash will flatten your features and make all shiny bits (forehead or nose, for example) really stand out.

6. COMBAT SHINE A

s the day goes by or in hot environments, your face might sweat or become greasy - make sure to wipe your face. Use oil-blotting papers if you wear makeup, or blot with a slightly damp paper towel, if not. In a pinch, wipe your face with your sleeve before stepping in front of the camera.

7. RED-EYE CURE R

ed-eye is easy to fix in pot-processing, but why take the chance of looking posessed if you can avoid it all together. Next time someone wants to take your photo in a situation prone to produce red-eye, try looking at a lamp or the nearest light source for a few seconds right before the photo is taken.

Red-eye usually occurs in a darkened room (at a party or a retaurant, for example), when the irises have opened up so much that the retinas, which are red with blood vessels, light up when the flash hits them. When the pupils are directed towards something bright - lamp or a fireplace - they shrink, reducing the potential for red-eye.

8.WATCH SURROUNDINGS background will make A nyouinteresting look more interesting too. Choose

a pretty outdoor scene to stand in front of, or look for a wall with interesting texture or colors. Avoid standing in front of plain or drab backgrounds.

Make sure there is nothing in the background that you don’t want to be seeing in your picture, such as a pile of dirty dishes or an unatractive dumpster. Backgrounds without a lot of distracting details are best.

If you are phographed with a group of people, don’t stand closest on to the camera - you will appear to be the largest person in the group. To avoid camera distortion stand somewhere in the middle of the group.

Keep this in mind: an object closest to the camera will also appear the largest, so if, for example, you think your upper arms are large, don’t put yourself in a position where the arm dominates the frame turn away or find another place to stand.

9.CHOOSE YOUR LIGHT a choice when and where G iven you’ll be photographed, pick an

outdoor shoot in the morning or late afternoon. Natural light is your friend, it is soft, diffused and the most flattering.

If you have to be photographed in the middle of the day, stand in the shade. Avoid direct midday sun - it will make you squint and your eyes will look smaller. Harsh midday light also creates unflattering shadows and emphasizes wrinkles.

Face some natural light reflector - like a light colored wall, this will ensure that your face is well elluminated, which will reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Side light (falling from the window for example) can be really beautiful. If you cannot be outside, stand closer to a large natural light source, such as a window. If you back is towards the window use a reflector to bounce some light back onto your face.

10. RELAX A

sk the photographer to count to three before taking the picture.

Close your eyes and breathe in. Then, just before the picture is taken, breathe out, open your eyes and smile - your face will look relaxed and your smile will be real. This trick works every time!

One of the major causes of a stiff appearance in photographs is a rigid posture brought about by anxiety and nerves. Remove the tension from your body using deep inhale and exhale exercises (if you’re a Pilates, yoga, meditation, or martial arts practitioner, you’ll already know about doing deep breathing to relax).

Don’t say “cheese,” which usually brings out a forced smile. Instead, ask the photographer to throw out an unexpected word or say a joke.

This will usually elicit a genuine laugh, and your expression won’t look artificial. A genuine smile is impossible to fake, so you need to feel some kind of genuine emotion to make it happen, something that makes you laugh or happy.

Shake your body around a little to loosen up; Visualize calm scenes in your mind and think peaceful, positive thoughts.

LEARN TO SMILE GENUINELY

Remember the feeling of a genuine smile to replicate it in a photograph. Practice smiling in front of the mirror. When the picture time comes, remember the feeling, genuine smile will follow.

If the shot is one where you’re able to laugh and smile outwardly, then do so. Think of something funny, even if it involves the photographer’s clothing or something amusing that’s happened to you in the past. If you can’t laugh on the outside, laugh inwardly. This will make your eyes sparkle and your positive energy shine through.

Laughing creates a more natural overall pose because it relaxes and calms you.

Engage the photographer in a conversation about some topic you both may find of interest.

If your mind is focused on something other than the photo, you’ll appear less rigid. You can also lean against something, interact with a pet or a child or even look beyond the camera .

Never keep your hands right by your sides - they will merge with your body and make you appear wider than you are, you migh also look square and rigid.

Clasp them in the front or in the back, or hold on to something back of a chair, for example, to help relax your body.

SMILE WITH YOUR EYES I know, I know, who does that? For that sexy supermodel look, try this: The first thing to practice is a little squint that only uses the eye muscles and no other facial muscles. Practice this in front of the mirror until you feel you are able to perform a small eye squint without disturbing the rest of your face.

Avoid looking suspicious, instead try to exude warmth and happiness. This is what separates a fake smile from genuine one - the eyes. As you practice, you will notice that your temples shift back if you’re getting it right. Keep practicing

OLGA PLASTINO IS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND PERSONAL BRANDING STRATEGIST CURRENTLY WORKING OUT OF SEATTLE, WA Olga, together with her team, specializes in personal branding, beauty and fashion photography and is dedicated to bringing out your best self forward in photographs.

If you are interested in booking a studio photoshoot or would like a consultation please inquire at

www.opdesignandphotography.com