You don’t have to
Be a professional photographer to take a good picture, nor to be photographed well must you be in a studio, but there are few tips you should remember whether you are snapping pics with friends or working with a pro.
Camera Angle
If the camera is at your eye level or slightly above, the image will be more flattering. Below the eye level or shooting up at you and you risk looking like you have an extra chin. If you need to, bend your knees or sit so that you are at an even plane with the camera or looking up at the photographer.
Stick Out Your Chin
This may seem funny and feel weird but push your chin forward more than you normally would. In fact, imagine a string attached to your forehead that is pulling your face forward. This will make you look like you have a longer, thinner neck.
Turn Your Head
Most of us have asymmetrical features, i.e. one eye is larger than the other, or one ear is lower. Pose with two-thirds of your face toward the camera. Any asymmetrical features are less obvious this way and this also has a slimming effect as the viewers eye is drawn up and down instead of left to right.
Ready To Book A Session?
Lean In
We tend to stand tall and lean back in photos, but instead lean in. Stand tall, chest forward and lean toward the camera just a bit.
Put the Smile in Your Eyes
Make sure your smile makes it to your eyes. In fact pay attention to what you do with your eyes. Wide open makes you look like “deer in the headlights”. Show a little attitude, raise or lower your eyebrows a bit and
squinch your eyes. Squinch is a term coined by famous headshot photographer, Peter Hurley. He describes it as “action of squinting your eyes in such a way as to portray confidence and self-assurance as opposed to the fear and uncertainty that you project when you stare wide-eyed at the camera”.
Don’t Stare into the Lens
Try not to look directly into the camera, instead look off to the side, just slightly or just past the lens.
Try the “Red Carpet” Pose
Put your hand on your hip, angle your body to the side a little, jut your hip toward the camera and turn your head back towards the camera. It is slimming and sexy.