This is the time of the year when we normally have our family picture taken. And as much as I love getting a new photo of all of us each year, tell me to smile and say “cheese” and all of the sudden I kind of freeze up. I smile a little too hard and tilt my head into an awkward pose. It’s not pretty. But there are ways to make getting a picture of me looking normal instead of like Chandler Bing when he and Monica posed for their engagement photos on the old hit show Friends. These are tips that are easy to do and require little to no effort in order to do them!
Just Smile
Simple, right? Not for me it’s not! But instead of plastering a big fake grin on your face, smile as if you would while thinking about your wedding day. Or your children. In other words, smile genuinely.
And try not to look directly into the lens; it makes it look like you are posing and know you are having your picture taken. Instead, try looking just above the lens so your gaze is more natural.
Smooth Down Your Hair
Most of us smooth down our clothes before a photo, but what about your hair? Don’t just run a brush through your hair because that may cause static and more flyaways. Instead, spray some hairspray on the brush before brushing your locks.
And here’s a tip that you can use anytime that you have flyaways. Carry a couple of unscented dryer sheets in your purse and run one over your hair whenever static is wreaking havoc. It works like a charm!
And Speaking of Hair…
In pictures, your hair will look like it has less volume than it really does so you’ve got to give it some oomph. Flip your head upside down or side to side and tousle the roots for some instant lift. Another way to get volume is to use a texturizing spray in your hair to add body and hold.
The Eyes Are the Windows to the Soul
So make sure they don’t look tired! Those dark circles underneath your eyes will look even darker in a picture, and will be more noticeable than any little wrinkles.
You can easily get rid of dark circles by using concealer. A peach-toned concealer (or just look for under-eye concealer) will counteract the bluish tones of the capillaries that cause those dark circles. Even if you don’t normally wear concealer in your day-to-day life, you might want to consider it for formal photos.
One thing you want to avoid in pictures is frosty or shimmery make up, which can create splotches in pictures if a flash is used. You’ll look spotty and shimmery, which may not be what you had in mind!
What tips can you offer to look your best in photos?
Photo Source: Alan Cleaver
