Shooting can be a scary moment, especially if you feel like you never look cool in photos. This is a problem that many people face, but is actually quite easy to solve. Being photogenic is not an innate talent, but rather a skill that is acquired by honing. Learn the following posing methods and tips to become photogenic in no time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Focus on Your Face
Step 1. Clarify your skin
Most photos focus on faces, so make sure you're in top shape. The sophisticated camera is able to capture the smallest changes and skin texture, this is a benefit as well as a disadvantage for you. Keep your skin clean and smooth by washing, toning and moisturizing your face before taking a photo. Make this a daily habit in the morning/evening, especially before the shoot.
- If you wear makeup, make sure that the concealer and foundation are applied smoothly and match your skin tone. Rub a little to the bottom of the neck and near the earlobe for a natural look.
- Oily skin can reflect too much light and spoil the photo. Use parchment paper or tissue paper (actual tissue paper, not kleenex) to wipe off excess oil on the front of your face.
- Use an exfoliator on your face to slough off the dead skin cells that make the skin in photos look dull and lackluster. Use a sugar scrub or facial soap in the morning before the shoot.
Step 2. Focus on what makes you unique
One of the characteristics of a photogenic person is confidence in appearance. Often times we are fixated with something wrong on our face; freckles on the face, wide teeth, or slanted eyes when smiling. No need to try to hide any of this, just show it! You will look much more photogenic in photos.
Step 3. Show your emotions
It's easy to see what's photogenic and what's not when posing, because a photogenic doesn't have to fake emotions. While a photo shoot can make you nervous, don't let the feeling overpower your true feelings. Don't smile if you think it's necessary, just a normal smile. The same goes for the shape of your eyes and the curve of your cheeks. The more you allow natural emotions to show on your face, the better your photos will look.
- Always smile with your teeth showing, because a funny joke is never laughed with closed lips. A natural smile will show teeth grin, not lips that are tightly closed. Keep your face natural by smiling naturally.
- When you show emotion then your whole face gets affected. Although many people associate the expression of happiness with just a smile, the eyebrows, eyes, cheeks and forehead are also affected. Make sure you pay attention to all of this on your face.
Step 4. Don't look straight at the camera
The camera uses reflected light to convert 3D objects into 2D images, so that the shape of each object is flattened and compressed. Looking straight into the camera will reveal the fullness of your face and remove or reduce any natural shadows. On the other hand, turning your face slightly to the side will create natural highlights and shadows and streamline the shape of your face.
Step 5. Adjust the angle of the face
The angle of your face is tied to the direction you are looking at the camera. Just like how you shouldn't be looking straight at the camera, you shouldn't be looking up a bit. The face will look bigger and the inside of the nose will be perfectly photographed. Hence tilt your head slightly down and to the side for the most photogenic look.
Method 2 of 3: Adjust Your Body Pose
Step 1. Use your body
Photogenic people have an amazing ability to know their bodies and how best to use them. This goes hand in hand with knowing your physical weaknesses. Which part of your body is the most attractive, and which part is the least attractive in the photo? Pay attention to your best body parts as much as possible while turning the negative aspects of your body away from the camera.
Step 2. Turn away from the camera
Looking directly at the camera will have the same effect on the body as it does on the face. Your body will be flattened in the photo, so shots from the front will show you from the widest angle, making you look very round. Turn your body from an angle to show your body and create shadow and depth in the pose.
- To slim your arms, place one hand on your hip and position your elbow behind and away from your body. Even if you feel silly doing it, it's the reason why so many celebrities use this pose - for maximum smoothness!
- If you are being photographed sitting, turn around so that the camera is on your side and not directly in front of you. Bend your knees and make your legs stagger slightly. If you choose to cross your legs, cross the leg closest to the camera in front of the other leg.
Step 3. Bend your joints
How often do you take pictures standing or sitting perfectly straight, with all the joints in line? Maybe very rarely or never. Slowly bending joints will make the pose natural. This means your elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles should be comfortably bent. So bend it if you can!
Step 4. Lean towards the camera
Objects that are closer will appear larger, while objects that are farther away will appear smaller. To create the illusion of a small and slim body, tilt your head slightly toward the camera.
Step 5. Do what makes you comfortable
All the posing suggestions can't make you more photogenic if you're not comfortable. In the end remembering all the tricks of the pose will really help, but it's actually best to do whatever is natural for your body. Being photogenic means being very natural as if there were no cameras, and posing perfectly to showcase every inch of your body. The best way to do this is to get your body into the most comfortable position.
Method 3 of 3: Considering Photos
Step 1. Dress to make an impression
It's definitely hard to be photogenic if you're wearing dirty sweatpants and ripped sneakers. Choose the best clothes to photograph. Neutral patterns and muted colors are the best combination because they can enhance your natural characteristics without distracting attention from you in the photo.
- Avoid anything that hangs or is very loose on the body, because it will look clear and bulky when photographed. Don't wear anything that's too tight, as the camera flash will highlight any flaws under the clothes.
- Don't wear anything for the photo that you wouldn't normally wear in real life. Your goal is to look natural, you can't look like that if you're wearing something that's very out of your comfort zone or style range.
Step 2. Find the light source
The light source in the photo will greatly determine the quality of your appearance in the final shot. A light source directly above you will create dark shadows under your eyes, while light from the side will create a thick background. Make sure the light source is in front of you or slightly above you. Try to take photos in natural light, near a window or outdoors.
- The best lighting for photos is after sunrise and before sunset. Try to take pictures during this time.
- While some photographers can use a light meter to increase the brightness of a dark foreground, it's best to avoid taking pictures with the light source behind you. Light sources coming from behind will darken your entire body and spoil the perfect image.
Step 3. Choose the right location
While sitting in a car or in front of a mirror is the easiest place for you to pose and get good lighting, these locations don't have a beautiful backdrop. Being photogenic has a lot to do with managing your surroundings, as well as showing off your face and posing skills. Shoot in an environment that can focus on you.
- A busy restaurant or bar will add a lot of noise to the background of the photo, distracting you as the subject. If you must pose in a crowded area, blur the background to keep attention on you in the foreground.
- If you're taking a group photo, position yourself in the center of the group and away from the edge. The two people at the end of the group will always look the biggest and are not often the focus of the picture.
Step 4. Don't be afraid of props
Even though you don't have to throw a ball or hold your cutlery, using interesting props will add to your interest and privilege. Hold something in your hand, lean against a prop, or incorporate something related to a hobby or activity you enjoy into your photo.
- If you like reading, holding a book casually in your hand will force your body into a more natural position and add detail to your portrait.
- Don't use bulky props or anything too distracting in the photo. The purpose of taking pictures for you is to appear photogenic with the help of something small and relatable. Adding bulky props or anything brightly colored will do more harm than good.
Step 5. Be confident
Confidence will show in photos, and is the key to being photogenic. Even if you don't feel confident, act confident for the camera. The quality of your appearance in photos will greatly improve knowing that you look good, so your photos will be perfect because of it.
Tips
- Pretend to laugh. Laughter is an easy way to create a natural smile. Just before the camera snaps, pretend like you just saw something funny, or heard a joke!
- Avoid saying "cheese" while looking at the camera. This can reveal a forced smile.
- Face the sun for an hour after sunrise and before sunset. Relax the facial muscles for stunning facial images, with the sun showing the color of your eyes.
- Study photos courtesy of other models and photogenics. Copy the poses and angles of the photo if any suit your personality.
- Practice smiling in front of the mirror. In no time you will know which smile looks fake or which is the best. Knowing how your face moves will help when someone else asks you to take a photo. Smile with your top row of teeth: it may feel unnatural, but smiling with both rows of teeth can easily look fake.
- Invite a close friend to see the pictures that have been taken. This is to help you find your best look. Sometimes a second critical eye pair is very useful.
- You need practice to take your own photos on a webcam, cell phone camera, digital camera or something else. You need to find the right angle for the photo so that you can move your hand into that position.
