How To Look Your Absolute Irresistibly Best in Photos

Learn how to look your absolute irresistibly best in photos no matter who is taking the picture with great poses and a better understanding of the process.

look your best in photos

If I could offer only one tip to help you look your absolute best in photos, here is what would it be:

A good photo calls for feeling confident. That's something that a lot of us lack when it comes to being in front of a camera. As such, I always give my less confident clients a quick acting lesson.

Feel Your Best, Look Your Best

You don't need to be confident. But, you need to act confident. From headshots to snapshots, if you want to love your photo then building your confidence is the fastest way to do it.

Envision yourself as who you want to be seen as. If you can't do that then think of someone you admire and pretend to be them. By pretending to be who we want people to see us as we become more confident. We relax. And, we begin to see ourselves the way others already DO see us. This is a great tip for getting a headshot taken.

Important Information About Lighting

Here is what you need to know about lighting and how it impacts your photos. Bigger, closer, and softer light always looks best.

Avoid on-camera flash

Tiny little flashes, like the pop up flashes on cameras or our phone's flash, are harsh and can really make us look bad. There's only one way around that - not using them.

These small flashes create shininess anywhere we've got the tiniest bit of oil and dark shadows in places they're not strong enough to reach into.

If you have a flash that isn't built into your camera and can adjust it, face it at the ceiling or bounce the light off a white wall behind you. That bounce spreads the light out making it a bigger light source allowing it to wrap around the people in front of your camera. It will instantly make you look better.

The best time of day to take outside photos

The best time of day for photos is right after sunrise but most people are not going to go for that. The next best is just before sunset.

This is because the sun is lower in the sky, warmer in color (more orange), and softer. It's also because the angle is more pleasant. Avoid harsh sunlight either by photographing someone in light shade or when it's overcast. This, more even light, is softer. It's also easier for our camera which won't struggle with what's important, the highlights or shadows.

Read the Punxsutawney Rule; why avoiding shadows helps you look your best in photos.

Secrets To Looking Your Best: Portrait Poses

Sadly there are no failure free pose. However, you can nail your portrait pose. Use this guide to find options that will allow you to put together a pose that works for you every time. Then practice it until you don't need to think about it.

No matter how you're posed, understand that whatever is closest to the camera will appear largest in the photo.

The following is a basic guide to poses that will help you feel more confident and look great. Keep in mind that for headshots your photographer should pose you in the most flattering way. If they're not posing you then find a different headshot photographer.

The Selfie Pose

If you're worried about the size of your waist then put your face and shoulders closer to the camera than your belly and hips. In fact, this is why the selfies poses exists. If you take your photo from above eye-level your face is closest to the camera. Then, your shoulders and chest. Finally your belly and eventually legs and feet.

You don't have to do the selfie pose. Bringing your face closer to the camera works no matter where the camera is. That said, don't overdo it.

Dangerous Curves

If you love your curves then stick your hip out towards the camera. Posing with your hip or booty pointing to the camera will exaggerate those curves. Drop the shoulder closest to the camera to push the belly farther back, shrink the vertical space it's taking up, and to bring your face closer to the camera.

Posing Your Arms

Don't put your arms against your body. Why? Because, this makes your body look larger than it is. So, get your arms away from your body. That said, be careful not to look like you're doing the chicken dance or something.

Put some space between your arms and body by either placing hands on your waist (not your hips unless you're trying to draw attention to them). Alternatively, put them in front or behind your body (in relation to the camera).

What To Do With Your Hands

In photos, people look at faces first then hands. Therefore, do place your hands where you want people to look. Do not place them where you don't want people to look.

Once more, you can place them not on our hips but farther up at the waist, where your midsection is the smallest. Then, pull your fingers around closer to your belly button. The results will make your belly look smaller.

Practicing Photo Poses

This advice is great but you've got to practice to find what works best for you. So, I recommend using a full length mirror. However, make sure it's level. Don't look down into the mirror. Doing so will distort your body. Therefore you want to use a mirror hung as flat as possible.

Taking Photos Sitting Down

If you're taking photos sitting down then use these tips.

Don't sit back in the chair. Pretend you've got a tail and that you don't want to sit on it. Too, make sure to lean forward a bit or sit up straight. Try both ways. If you want to look big and powerful face the camera straight on.

Next, "manspread" so your legs fill out the chair with your knees shoulder width apart. Then, place your hands over the edge of the armrests but don't lean on them. Because if you do lean your shoulders are going to scrunch up. Doing so makes most of us look like turtles.

Softer Poses

If you want to appear softer and less aggressive place your legs together. Cross them at the ankles or knees to create a slimmer look. Then sit with one hip forward in the chair with your knees facing the camera.

Next, swivel at the waist and point the opposite shoulder at the camera ever so slightly. Finally, put your hands together on your legs with your elbows out away from your body. You can place them more to the side closer to your hip allowing the arm crossing your body to cover your belly if you're self conscious about it.

Choosing Clothes For Your Portraits

If you're getting professional headshots or other photos talk with your photographer first. That said, I believe that solid colors are best. They don't need to match but choose colors that are in the same family of colors which are pleasing together. If you really like to wear prints then go bold or go minimal but not anything in between. Bold will stick out and make a statement. If that's what you want - go for it. If not then go minimal so the print doesn't draw as much attention.

Feeling Confident Looking Your Best

After reading this article I hope that you're feeling confident about how to look your best in photos. Too, I hope that your next headshot or family portrait looks great now that you know what to do. If you're still not feeling 100% confident then contact me. I'm always happy to offer more advice. Too, I'm available for Zoom and in-person meetings to discuss posing for headshots and more.