How to Look Good in Photos || The Authentic Portrait

Because we get by with a little help from our friends.. right? This one is for EVERYBODY on how to look better in photos!

First things first - the old double chin issue. What did we do to deserve its sneaky and mean attacks (and just how is that I always seem to open the front facing camera when I’m looking at my phone)?

Here’s how to avoid it: don’t sink backwards. Most people tend to pull their faces in when they’re photographed, so you have to do the exact opposite! Do the turtle - elongate your neck and push your face forward a bit while tipping your chin slightly down.

Smiling in photos, seems like it should be a no brainer, right? Some of us have a hard time smiling naturally though, so just think about something that made you laugh recently.

If you have a tendency to blink in pictures, close your eyes just before the photo is taken and open them when the camera clicks.

Study your previous pictures where you like the way you look: is there a pattern? is there a certain angle you like yourself in?

Avoid standing under a direct overhead light: it can cause weird shadows on your face and wrinkles that aren't even there (I promise, they’re not there!)

Loosen your shoulders and push them backwards: straightening your back makes you look slimmer and taller.

Wear the right clothes: if you are a big pattern fan, be careful what to wear, for example horizontal stripes make you mostly bigger and wider. If you want to look thinner, wear darker clothes but the most important rule is to wear clothes you're confident in!

These are just some of the solid, easy to implement tips and tricks for photography that I talk about in The Authentic Portrait: A Parent’s guide to Documenting Childhood, an ebook perfect for anyone who want to learn the basics of photography and improve their photos without spending hours and hours taking classes. Find out more here!

Next time someone points a camera your way you’ll know just how to ensure that it's a winner! Share your photos with me over on Instagram in #TheAuthenticPortrait series, a series for learning and growing in photography. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #TheAuthenticPortrait!