Tips on looking your best in pictures

Having your picture taken? Make sure you look good.

There are several things you can do to make yourself look your best when you have your picture taken. If you know in advance when the photography will take place and have sufficient lead time, you can prepare yourself by selecting and preparing what you will wear and by taking steps to ensure you are well-groomed.

WHAT TO WEAR

Your clothing choice will often depend on the shooting location and atmosphere. The clothes you wear for a photo shoot in a country setting or at barbecue will usually be more casual and less dressy than a formal studio session or an office gathering. No matter what style of apparel you wear, there are some rules of thumb about clothing that will have you looking your best for the camera.

• Your clothing should look "new", although it doesn't need to be new.
• It should of course be clean and wrinkle-free, and should fit you well.
• If you have a favorite outfit, you should try it on well in advance to confirm that it fits and is in good repair. If not, now is the time to have it taken in, let out or otherwise adjusted for a good fit.
• Unless it looks as if it just came from the shop, it is a good idea to have it cleaned or washed and pressed so you will have absolute confidence in its appearance.

Bright, solid hues are generally your best choice. You may be tempted to wear something that will really stand out - clothing that is neon-colored, strongly-patterned, has contrasting hues, or shininess, and so on - but yielding to such a temptation would be a mistake, for a couple of reasons. The most important is that you don't want the clothing to detract from you, the subject. The second reason is that many strong designs are dated, and may quickly look to be out of fashion. Some strong patterns, such as horizontal stripes, large polka dots and plaid, may even make you look heavier. Men should avoid colored dress shirts that have a white or contrasting collar. Ties, if worn, should be tasteful, understated and tied to fit properly. A splashy, strongly-patterned tie will draw the viewer's attention from your face.

Solid colors tend to make your complexion look natural. Except for white. White can make you look washed-out and pale when near to your face. Black can be problematic, too. It tends to absorb light, and it is often difficult to see detail in the clothing. If you must wear black, be warned that it may look like a solid block of darkness on you. And it can be worse if the background is dark, causing you to blend in with it and have no shape whatever.

Have a look at our advice for photographers on clothing for portraits for additional helpful hints.

ACCESSORIES

The neckline is often the most overdone area for jewellery and other accessories, such as scarves or ascots. Although you may feel they enhance your appearance, simpler is usually better. Understatement is the watchword. An uncluttered neckline is generally preferable to a busy one that can draw attention away from your face.

Earrings are the next accessory items that require a tasteful, cautionary approach. Multi-hooped, very shiny, reflective earrings will undoubtedly grab the viewer's attention, but at the expense of where you want it to be - your face. However, if you usually wear large earrings and people are accustomed to seeing you with them, then wear them. But, try to downplay them in size and glitter.

If you normally wear bracelets and rings, then by all means, wear them. Just don't overdo it and be sure they suit your outfit. This is not the time for that dazzling, shiny, large bracelet or ring - the one that will draw the viewer's eye away from the center of attention - your face.

YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Naturally, you want to be fresh-looking, bright-eyed, squeaky clean and alert for your picture.

• By getting plenty of rest in advance, drinking lots of water and not smoking, you will appear bright-eyed and can help your skin to look its best.
• Small grooming flaws often seem to jump out in a picture, so be sure your fingernails are properly trimmed and look their best, but not with a distracting, fancy design painted on them.
• And ensure your hair is trimmed and neat. If you can get your hair cut a week in advance, it won't look "fresh-clipped".
Don't forget your eyebrows and remove unwanted hair that may be visible in your ears and nostrils.
• Unless you are a man who is known for always having that 5:00 o'clock shadow, be sure to shave a few hours at most before photo time. Trim that moustache and beard, too.
• Make-up for photography is a subject that can take up a lot of discussion. For our purposes here, the key is to have you look as natural as possible, which generally means that you should not overdo the make-up. The camera will pick up on it, and you will look powdered and covered instead of natural.
• If you don't normally wear much make-up, then don't wear much make-up.
• If you wish to provide your cheeks with a little color, you can do so by giving them a short, brisk rub or a pinch just before picture time. They will have a rosy touch to them.

Remember, it is the person - you - who is emphasized in a portrait or any "people" picture, not the clothes, accessories or setting. These items should enhance and compliment your appearance, not dominate the photograph.

PICTURE TIME

You must be physically comfortable when posing for a picture. If not, your discomfort or tension will be revealed by the camera. Don't get into a position where you are unbalanced, strained or feel like you're slipping off of your seat. Instead, find a position that makes you relaxed and feel quite natural.

Give some thought to your state of mind, too. If you feel tense, take a deep breath and loosen your muscles to help you relax. If you are nervous, close your eyes for a moment before the photograph is taken, and breath slowly to calm you down. Allow your mind to think of something pleasant that distracts you.

If you still feel uptight, let the photographer know. Sometimes, just addressing your nervousness and getting into a conversation will get rid of the jitters. The photographer will be grateful to know how you feel, since this allows him or her to do something about it. No photographer wants to take a photograph of somene who doesn't feel and look their best. Be sure to do what the photographer may ask, too. Your cooperation may be all that is needed for an experienced photographer to capture you at your best. If you are asked to look to one side, to turn your body away from the camera and look over your shoulder, or to pose in a certain way, do it. It may sometimes seem to you that it feels unnatural, but the pictures often tell a different story.

If you are posing with a group, you may feel uncomfortable because you are so close to others. But, group pictures are generally better when everyone is quite close to one another, particularly large groups. Too much space between people in a group will look unnatural and lack the cohesion that is needed for a successful group shot. Smaller groups of close friends or family members can often be posed with space between one another, and it is generally best to let your photographer position everyone for what he or she feels will make the most-pleasing composition.

Your eyes - People who will see your pictures will look at your eyes before anything else. It's only natural, since the eyes are so revealing of character.

• Engage the viewer of your picture by looking straight into the lens. Your photographer may want you to look away for certain poses, and that is fine. Trust the photographer's judgement. But, be sure that not all of the exposures show your eyes looking aside.
• Take care not to frown, squint, lower your eyebrows or eyelids. You don't want to look too serious or sleepy.
• But, be careful that you don't overdo it by opening your eyes too wide so that you look like a deer in the headlights.
• Many otherwise lovely portraits are spoiled by a subject who blinks just when the shutter is tripped. Try to be aware of your blinking so that you only do it between exposures.
• Most times, you want to look friendly and approachable, and your eyes and facial expression are critical. A relaxed, natural gaze is almost always preferred.

If you normally wear glasses, you don't want to have a reflection fom them block the view of your eyes. To prevent this, you can drop your chin slightly so that light is reflected down, not towards the camera. For certainty, though, you can visit your optometrist and ask her or him to remove the lenses from your eyeglasses for the photo session, and replace them afterwards. Many prescription eyeglasses automatically darken in brighter light. Like sunglasses, they will block the view of your eyes. If you have an alternate pair of glasses that don't darken, you should wear them. You can also keep your glasses covered so they are in darkness, then put them on at the last moment before they have a chance to change. Ideally, you would have the lenses removed, though, for the picture.

And of course, you should not wear sunglasses during a picture session unless you wish to look like a highway patrolman on duty.

Your head and face - You may feel that your face has a "good side." Most of us do. Turn your head slightly so that side is facing towards the camera, but don't turn so sharply that both your eyes cannot be seen.

Make sure that you don't keep your head in the same position for all of the shots that are taken. Experiment a little to provide you with a choice when looking at the pictures later. Angle your head in different ways. Raise and lower your chin slightly. Stretch your neck a little to make it appear longer and slimmer. Sticking out your chin a little bit will help to eliminate the look of a double chin. Never draw your chin in towards your body unless you are naturally very thin or are going for an unusual expression that is appropriate for the purpose of the photo session.

Your body - Rarely does a body look good when it is square on to the camera. Turning slightly to one side will make you look slimmer and accentuate your body's features. Don't rotate your body too far, though. Its front should still be seen, at a slight angle from the lens - rarely more than 45 degrees, preferably a bit less. Once again, though, follow your photographer's direction. Many "rules" of posing can be broken for the right reasons, and your photographer sees you better than you can see yourself from in front of the camera.

Posture is very important. Consciously be aware of it so you don't slouch or lean back too far. Straightening your back while lowering the shoulder that is closer to the camera will tend to make your neck appear longer and slimmer. But don't overdo it; you must remain natural-looking and comfortable. Check Body language for more helpful tips.

Limbs - What you do with your arms and legs can make or break a picture. Crossing your arms over your chest is a no-no, except for certain shots where a stern, disapproving or "muscleman" meaning must be given to the shot. The same applies to placing your hands on your hips. If you really don't know what to do with your hands, place them together in your lap when you're seated and place one over another in front when you are standing. When you are really uncertain or don't feel comfortable with them as they are, ask the photographer for directions.

As a general rule, don't stand with your legs wide apart. Women who point a toe towards the camera with one leg just in front of the other usually look slimmer and elegant. When seated, place your knees together and angle your legs to one side, especially if you are wearing a skirt or dress.

Have fun - Break the mold and ask the photographer if he or she would like you to try different poses and expressions after you both feel confident that you have captured the pictures originally planned. A photographer will often agree unless you have exceeded the time limit for your photo session.

Most photographers welcome the chance to let loose and have a fun session. They know that some terrific photos can come out of an impromptu shoot where the subject is willing to experiment and do something for the joy of it.

Now is the time to turn your back to the camera and look over your shoulder, to bend forward with a hand on a knee, to place your hands on your hips and try a different, fun expression, or to sit on the floor and hug your knees. These are only some suggestions. Check out our Posing Guides for other great ideas. Choose a few, print them out and show them to the photographer.

Think of yourself as a model. Go for it; have fun. Be enthusiastic and set your inhibitions free. Use props, if they are available. Toss a coat over your shoulder. Pose against an interesting or unusual backdrop. Look elegant, then look silly. Smile and laugh, then try a serious look. Anything goes.

Your photographer will probably become enthused and recommend different poses and shooting situations, and your session will be memorable and will likely produce some wonderful, fun pictures that you will always be delighted to look at.