Picture Perfect

Blueclick Photography

How Not to Fear the Camera

Do you feel awkward being photographed? Do you avoid having being in photos whenever possible? Does the thought of being tagged online in a photo make you cringe? 

Before I discovered the tricks to getting a good shot I used to despise having my photo taken. My dislike for being in front of the camera started on school photo days! Due to my shortness I was always placed in the front row. For me it felt like they may as well put a sign on my head saying ‘shorty’. (At least the sign would have made me look taller!) 

Most people hate having their photo taken for a variety of reasons. I’ve heard plenty of excuses like I don’t like my nose, arms or body. Everyone has hang-ups even models tell me they don’t like parts of their bodies, one even told me she didn’t like her elbows! I used to hate my big lips, big teeth and chubby cheeks. Part of learning to love your photos is learning to love you. I hope the following tips will give you the confidence to stand tall, look great and strike a pose! 

#1 Life isn't perfect but your outfit can be

Choosing the right colours and styles is a must for good photos. Bright colours stand out and look great in most environments.  Solid colours are less likely to clash with the background so choose prints wisely. 

For group shots and family portraits avoid the following:

Don’t wear a white shirt and denim jeans. This is over done and can make you look like you are still stuck in the 90s. Jeans are great for a smart casual shoot but dress them up with a coloured top and heels.

Don’t all wear the same colour. Everyone’s clothing should blend not match. For example person one wears blue, one wears white, one wears pink and one wears yellow.

Beware of prints, too much contrast and the image will look messy. Prints work well in moderation, for instance one person could be in a floral. This makes it easy to pick out colours that will tie in with the floral print.

#2 Face It

Hair and makeup will make a big difference to your photos. Make sure your hair is neat and tidy, fly-a-ways can be tamed with hairspray or try a sprinkling of water. Makeup is a must to stop your face looking shiny, quickly reapply powder and lipstick before each shot. 

#3. Act like a teenager
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For every great photo there is bound to be 20 bad ones! I highly recommend taking hundreds of selfies. This helps in many ways, for example you get use to seeing your beautiful face. Also it will help you find your best side. Everyone has one side of their face that looks better than the other. Finding yours will allow you to position yourself in photos to show off your best viewpoint. 

#4 Strike a pose
You might feel awkward at first but great posing can make you look taller and slimmer! The aim is to create triangles in your body. So remember never stand front on to the camera. 

Step 1.
Stand with your feet pointing at an angle to the camera. Put your weight on your back leg. This will create a bend in your front knee. 
Step 2. 
Twist your torso towards the camera and pull your shoulders back. 
Step 3. 
Place the hand closest to the camera on your waist. This will create a bend in your elbow making your arm look slimmer. Rest the other arm on your leg. 
Step 4. 
Stick your chin out like a turtle’s neck emerging from its shell. It may feel weird but trust me this will help you to avoid having the feared double chin and can make you look younger.
Step 5. 
Smile! No resting bitch face, duck face or pouting.  Create a genuine expression by smiling with your eyes.

​#5 Final Touch

One of the best things about photos taken on your phone is the editing apps! There are plenty to choose from however my personal favourite is Facetune. You can smooth your skin, make your teeth whiter, remove redeye and fix blemishes.

If you need photos for an important occasion or for business headshots I recommend getting a professional to take your photos. A skilled photographer will make sure the lighting is correct, make you feel relaxed, help you to pose and ensure the images are edited to perfection. 

There are plenty of times when you will end up in front of the camera for example, weddings, family events, birthday parties or for business. Don’t be running for the hills the next time you are asked to be in a photo. Like Madonna said "Strike a pose there's nothing to it".