Following on from my post How to Take a Good Selfie Photo – The Technology you need, now I’m going to share with you my top tips for finding a flattering pose for that photo!
It’s a great skill to master and I know many of my Evolve Your Style and 7 Steps to Style program members have found these tips really useful (it’s much easier to assess your outfit when you don’t hate the photo!).
You may remember from this post on how to pose for photos I went through a few of these tips. But as a reminder here, taking a good photo is all about creating gaps and angles. It’s important to remember what is closest to the camera looks larger – and the camera lens can really magnify, so even a subtle shift of weight or changing of an angle can make a huge difference.
How to Stand – Posing for Photos
Now don’t forget to try different poses and have some fun. You may be surprised to discover what works for you.
Angle Yourself Right when Posing for Photos
So those angles, they also work when you’re taking a close up – think about angling your head! Remember that most people when a camera is thrust in their face automatically pull in their chin (it’s a defense mechanism) but what does this do? Create nasty double chins! So instead, I want you to lift your head up then imagine you are looking over a fence that’s just a little taller than how you stand naturally, sticking your neck out a touch as you go. Now, no more double chins!
Facial Expressions
If you’re like me and suffer from the affliction of “resting bitch face” (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked in my life to “cheer up it’s not so bad!” as I’m minding my own business lost in thought walking down the street) I know that for me, smiling in photos is the way to go. In fact, I don’t just smile a bit, I try and grin and often even force out a laugh. Do you know why? Well it makes my smiles look genuine and from the eyes as well as the mouth!
Out with the Pout
And how about that “duck-face” thing – the pouting that you see around? Well unless you are a Kardashian or under the age of 25, I say “just say no” (in the words of Nancy Reagan) to the pout. It looks forced. Instead smile, it makes you look more approachable and of course, happier!
Have you ever noticed that celebrities are often photographed on many red carpets in the same pose? Well it’s because they’ve spent time trying out poses in the mirror and taking photos and they know what works for them. Give it a go, take a few selfies and discover your no fail moves to a flattering photo!
Great advice Imogen, I’ve shared this with Verily followers on Facebook. Your posts are so well done!
Thanks for sharing Leonie!
I will have to practise posing, when you point out the how to and not to its so obvious. Thanks for this information Imogen.
Pleasure Robyn, when you figure it out your photos will change forever!
What excellent tips,Imogen!! Tahnk you so much- I need this soooo badly as I HATE photographs of myself. Off to practise….. 🙂
Oh my, Imogen, nobody shares such really down to earth useful information like you do! I’ve got half your blogs bookmarked and this one is being added.
Resting bitch face! Love it! I also suffer from this. I’m not pissed, just not smiling. Great ideas, Imogen.
I suffer from the resting “unhappy” look face. A real problem when you are 70+ years when everything is sagging!!! I try to smile so as not to look too grumpy. Love the suggestions to look slimmer and better in the photos. Can you do a post on older faces when the eyebrows disappear and you want to fill them in to match your grey hair please. I hate anything that is yellow or ginger as eyebrow tints eventually go, and black is too severe. Brow powder in grey tones? wax to hold the powder? Would love your advice.
Margaret Elizabeth
You are a woman of so many talents! I have a question relating to both your photography and style expertise. We will be sitting for a professional family photograph before the eldest goes off to college next fall. Photographers usually recommend monochromatic dress. However, my husband, two sons and I all have different hair, skin and eye coloring (almost bald blonde/blue eyes/pale skin; wavy red head/blue eyes/pale skin; brown/hazel eyes/medium skin; curly graying dark brown/brown eyes/freckled skin) and thus there does not seem to be a “best” color for all of us to wear (including black and white). Thank you.
Coleen, you may not want to all wear the same colour, but at least relate the colours (or go for Teal which is a universal colour), or make sure someone is not wearing pattern whilst everyone else is wearing plain. Keep the colours you choose to a similar intensity and depth.
The tips here are EXCELLENT! Thank you so much. Now if you excuse, I’m going to read one more time!! 😀
Love, Ann
Thanks Ann!
I follow most of this and plan to do the photo thing for my outfits but to me the crossed leg thing just looks like you’re desperate for the loo. I’ve yet to see anyone in this pose that doesn’t look silly to me. Maybe it’s just the way my brain works…