Becoming more photogenic

Nicki

I always look awful in photographs! Well maybe I look that bad in real life too, but what I see in a photo is not what I see when I look in the mirror, so I'm hoping that maybe I am just very unphotogenic

Anyway, I am having some headshots taken on Monday in preparation for going back to work after bringing up children, and I was wondering if anyone had any tried and tested tips to look better in photos. I have asked a professional photographer to come and do them, so I think all the technical stuff like lighting and backdrops are covered. What I am really looking for is advice on what sorts of thing to wear, how to prepare for it, and how to pose in the most natural and flattering way, given that the photo is just going to be head and shoulders. Any and all tips welcome. These could include some beauty rituals to do between now and then to help with the raw materials!

LEJC

I've got no advice for you really other than I feel your pain...as someone whos spent the last 40 years avoiding photos I can only say it doesnt get any easier as you get older.


perhaps relax and try to enjoy....and if you can get to the point where you are laughing/smiling at something naturally it usually comes out better than a pre planned smile....for some reason I always think that nerves show out in photos too.

BlondeHeadOn

The professional photographer is a good idea, he/she should have more idea of how to take flattering shots. See if he/she will take a lot of shots in different positions so you can pick the ones that look best.

Wear something that you feel good in, and that is also comfortable.

Hope it goes well and you get some lovely shots!

j.e.j.

What is it you don't like about the way you look in photographs? Does the camera make you feel nervous? Maybe you just need to relax a little and look at the lens like you would another person (if that makes sense :rotfl: )

Unless it's a modelling job you're going for, you probably don't need to go to the expense of getting a professional photographer in?

Toothsmith

Then there's always Photoshop afterwards!

AbbieCadabra

i'm not being big-headed, honest , but i'd consider myself reasonably attractive in the 'flesh', however, take a photo, & it's a completely different story, a horror story in fact! doesn't matter what i do, i just don't look right.

i think my hit rate of photo's i consider ok is about 1 in 20, if i'm lucky. i was at an event a while ago & had a look at various photo's that were taken, all by different people & nobody professional. hated most of mine but couldn't believe what i was seeing of a friend, she looked ok on the day, but nothing special that would make you go 'oh wow' or anything. her photo's? absolutely stunning & she looked a good 10-15 years younger than she does in the flesh! photogenic indeed...

& yes, a sneeky tidy up on photoshop might be the answer.

Scrapaholic

Have a bit of a practice to see if you think you look nicer with a smile showing teeth or not . Have you a "good side" ? Sure the photographer will make sure there's some good ones to choose , that's their job. Do you wear make up ? Wouldn't want my photos taken without a bit , well, a lot , really , of make up ! Could anyone take some practice digital shots of you before the shoot ? Sure they'll turn out well . Let us know .

theoretica

Why do you need photographs for going back into work? I ask partly in nosiness, but also because it will change how much you can alter them - have you seen yourself in sepia?

Nicki

theoretica wrote: »

Why do you need photographs for going back into work? I ask partly in nosiness, but also because it will change how much you can alter them - have you seen yourself in sepia?

Its the norm for the kind of job I do, where most people at my level have an internet presence and a printed media profile (ie send out press releases and articles on my area of expertise). Sepia wouldn't work but photoshop is OK

cte1111

I think some people do just take great photos. However, most people will take a better photo with lots of make up. Make sure that your foundation isn't too pale / orange though.

RachRubyD

Think its to do with confidence. I wouldn't say am ugly but am not extremely beautiful either but I take awful photos because I feel uncomfortable the flash makes me blink so my eyes are always half shut haha.

Other people who don't look so great in the flesh seem to take fanastic photos because they are confident and beaming.

Youtube A model Recommends she has videos on how to prepare for photoshoot beauty wise and also how to pose. Its really easy poses just like don't clench your jaw together as it makes your face wider and shorter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnZc8PB84Ac&feature=c4-overview&list=UUFcvOUnOcfJKg8QsOZT6gKQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFx4befaGmQ&list=TLipEyDeInzrXd5CoyH7w34W7bKviZCH1c