Adapted from Tuts+ Photography Tutorial and Real Simple
1. Pose the hair
This one is for you ladies!
We don’ really think of hair as a part of the body we can control, but you really can! Here are some things you could do with you hair while taking a picture:
Image credits: Ben Lucas Photography.
According to photographer Ben Lucas, hair on the shoulders (#1) should be avoided at all costs. #4 and #5 are recommended, because the natural part in a person’s hair will lend to one side looking better than the other. Hair up (#6) lands itself very nicely in portraits and headshots as well, since you have a clear view of the person’s face.
2. Pull the chin (or ears) forward
Ah, that guilty double chin.
When someone stands in their normal relaxed stand, or even stands up straight to have nice posture, there is a little bit of flab right underneath their chin. No matter how skinny they are, you will see this. If you point your chin at the photographer, this brings your face up and ends up with you showing your nostrils (not so attractive). Instead, bring your ears forward.
Image credits: Ben Lucas Photography.
Photographers call this “turtling”, because you will feel like a turtle coming out of its shell. It is a bit uncomfortable and unnatural, but the results are really worth it!
3. Lift the arm
When people stand naturally, they usually stand with their arms flat at the sides. This makes them look awkward and uncomfortable in the photo. Also, their arm is pressed against their torso. This squishes the arm out and makes it look larger than it actually is!
Image credits: Ben Lucas Photography.
Correct that by just lifting your arm an inch or two, so it is “floating” and not pressed against your torso. Notice the red line in the pictures, and how much smaller the arm becomes when not pressed against the body.
4. Turn the shoulders
If you stare at the camera head-on, your shoulders will look bigger. Unless it is a shot of a football player or a CEO is a big company, it is bad when shooting beauty or portraits.
Image credits: Ben Lucas Photography.
By turning, you are showing a slimmer profile of yourself to the camera, and looking slimmer!
5. Don’t show the whites of your eyes
Want a far-off, dreamy look? No problem.
Image credits: Ben Lucas Photography.
Give your model an object behind you to focus on, so you could control their eyeline. In the first photo, the model looked out the door next to the photographer. You can see the majority of the white of the eye, which is a bad thing. You would want to see the iris, the colored part of the eye. In the second picture, the model looked out the window next to the door instead. That small change in eyeline brings back her eyes, gets rid of the white part and gives a much more attractive portrait.
6. Minimize Unfavorable Features
Turn your head a little. Most people have asymmetrical features (for example, one eye is slightly larger than another).
Image credits: Real Simple.
Professional photographers suggest posing with two-thirds of the face in view, and the remaining third turned slightly away from the camera. Also, the angle has a slimming effect, as it draws the eye up and down (forehead to chin), not left to right (eye to eye).
7. Shake the deer-in-the-headlights look
Don’t look straight into the lens.
Image credits: Real Simple.
“Focus your eyes just above the lens instead of staring directly into the camera”, says Patrick McMullen, a celebrity photographer and author of InTents. “And show some personality. Sometimes all it takes is the slight raise of an eyebrow.” – says Miss America 2005 first runner up, Jennifer Dupont.
8. Keep your smile natural
Unfortunately, saying “cheese” won’t give you that.
Image credits: Real Simple.
Contrary to popular belief, saying “cheese” conjures an artificial smile. Instead, ask the photographer to throw out an unexpected word, like “money”. This will usually elicit a genuine laugh, and your expression won’t look forced. “I always think of something funny, like my disastrous attempts at cooking, to achieve a natural smile,” says Dupont.
9. Keep eyes open
Close your eyes and have the photographer count to three. On three, open them. “Works every time,” – say professional photographers.
Image credits: Real Simple.
If you are outdoors, remember that noon is the worst time to take a photo, because that’s when the sun is harshest and you are more likely to squint. Head out at 4 or 5 p.m., when the light is more amber.
10. Appear less posed
How to pose well? Don’t pose.
Image credits: Real Simple.
“Engage the photographer in a conversation about some topic you both may find of interest,” says Los Angeles-based head-shot photographer Michael Calas. If your mind is focused on something other than the photo, you will appear less rigid. You can also lean against something, interact with a pet or a child, or intertwine your arms with someone else’s.
We hope this helps you in getting the picture-perfect shot and posing like a red carpet celebrity!
Interested in pursuing photography as a hobby or a career? Join us for the Intro to Photography lesson to learn basic photography techniques, or proceed to the Beginner's Photography Course and become a professional! Snap away and look like a runway model!
Love,
The Lessons Go Where Team.