10 Tips and Tricks to Look Better in Photos

Whether you are a model or just someone wanting to do a portrait session, there are some very easy ways in which you can look better in photos - and most of them will hardly even take any time. If you book yourself in to my modelling tuition programme, you can enjoy full modelling tuition and advice to help you get to that next level - but in the meantime, these ten tips can help you to look better in photographs every single time. Even if you are taking a selfie, consider these tricks to consistently get great results!

10. Prepare before the shoot

If your shoot is a one off, it’s really worth putting in a little bit of effort beforehand. You could think about buying a new outfit to wear, and getting your hair done as close as possible to your shooting date and time. If you are worried about your figure, you can even try putting in a few extra hours at the gym - if it makes you feel more comfortable, it will be worth it, because it will show!

9. Bring along some help

If you really want to look your best, having professional make up and hair can seriously make a difference. Even if you have a friend who is a bit of a wizard with an eyeliner, you can bring them along to make sure you look fantastic in every shot.

8. Practice at home

Sit or stand in front of a mirror, and focus on trying out different poses, facial expressions, and angles to see what works best for you. You can even use your camera phone to check the results, and try copying models that you admire.

7. Do your research

If you want to emulate the hottest fashion models out there right now, the best way to start is by seeing how they do it. You can also look at articles for advice - just like this one - and put together a file of all of your inspirations. This way, you’ll be able to put what you have learnt into action on the day of the shoot, without feeling at a loss.

6. Consider tutorials

Do you want your hair done a certain way? Is there a make up look that you know would look great on you? If you don’t want to hire a professional, then consider watching tutorials on YouTube that will show you how to get the look. Make sure that you practice before the date of the shoot in order to get it perfect!

5. Get to know your photographer

Talking to your photographer beforehand will really help you to relax on the day, and it will also mean that they get a better idea of what you want from your portrait. That makes it a win win situation, so having a little discussion about the shoot - even if just over email or Facebook messages - is a fantastic way to get the portrait started right.

4. Take a deep breath

It may sound like a cliché (and it may also sound easier said than done), but simply taking a moment to relax can make a huge difference to your photos. If you are nervous and tense then it will show up on camera; try to either calm yourself down, or fake it by trying to appear as calm and confident as you can. Planning in advance using these tips can help you to relax, too, as you will be more confident in what you are doing.

3. Discuss your ideas

If you have a certain look that you want, or have dreamed up a great concept, then it’s a fantastic idea to talk to your photographer about what you want to do. Not only will this give you a better looking image that you personally love, but also the professional experience that the photographer brings to your concept can really make it pop. Give them time to think about it beforehand and how to pull it off in the best way - if you come out with something unexpected on the day, it might not look the way that you wanted it to.

2. Look for the light

One of the biggest tips that I always give to aspiring models is to be aware of your light source. Whether you are shooting in front of studio lights, a flash mounted on the camera, or just the natural light of the sun, turning your face towards it can give you a much more attractive portrait because it eliminates strange shadows across your face. Keep looking towards the light, and you will find that you have a great set of images!

1. SMILE!

At the end of the day, there is nothing that can make you look more attractive or give your face more of a lift than a great smile. The more genuine it is, the better it looks - so try not to focus too much on dramatic, moody shots, and remember to relax as much as possible to let that real smile shine through. Smiling has the added bonus of giving your mood a boost, meaning that you will feel much better for the rest of the shoot as well!

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