With a culture revolving around cameras and photography, pictures have become an important part of life. Photos are useful tools that allow us to document the past and help relive the best moments of our lives. Since everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, you don’t have to be a professional model or popular influencer to want to look better in pictures. Everyone wants to look cute and even the most beautiful women in the world find it challenging to be photogenic all the time. Some people are naturally photogenic with cute smiles that always look great, while others may need practice learning to pose, smile and angle their face to create a flattering shot.
Being photogenic is all about finding a balance between acting natural in front of the camera and perfectly posing and smiling to capture the right image. Whether you’re taking pretty pictures with friends or just want to make yourself take better photos for social media, there are many tips to looking more photogenic. To help you with tips and tricks, we’ve compiled this guide on how to look good in pictures. From selfies to photos and makeup to lighting, explore the best ways to be photogenic and take cute pictures you’ll love!
How To Look Better in Photos
Study Photos of Yourself
Studying photos of yourself is one of the best ways to look good in pictures. If you have a photo that you love, decide what makes that picture special. By the same token, grab a couple of bad photos and determine what you don’t like about them. Learning from experience is key to taking cute photos and becoming photogenic all the time. Take time to study photos from your past and only carry forward what works.
The angle of your face or the way your hair is styled can alter the feel of a photo, so keep this in mind when assessing poses. It’s a good idea to keep your neck long and your chin slightly raised in pictures for an elegant style. If you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera or are constantly blinking, close your eyes just before the shutter clicks. Photographers say this calms the face and produces more natural shots. You’ll also need to start practicing the right faces to make in pictures for a photogenic finish.
Practice Makes Perfect
Posing well is essential if you are to capture that perfect shot. Once you’ve figured out your best poses and expressions, you will need to remember them when it counts. Don’t be embarrassed to take time in front of the mirror. After you’ve assessed your old photos, pick some of your favorite looks to practice. With proper preparation, you’ll know what to do with your face and how to smile to recreate a flattering photo, resulting in beautiful pictures of yourself that you can be proud to collect and show off.
When practicing, try out multiple angles and smiles. For some people, a cheesy smile looks great. If you’re going for a sexy look, try an open-mouthed pout or that classic kissy face you’ll find in selfies. Take note of your eyes in the mirror; large smiles that don’t reach the eyes can look odd, so experiment with that twinkle in your eye! It’s all about letting your personality guide you. Using a tripod with a timer or clicker can be helpful as you find what looks best on camera.
Choose The Right Lighting
Lighting can make or break a photo, so dedicate plenty of time to your setup. In the daytime, avoid taking photos when the sun is blaring, as your face may be poorly lit or shadowed. Cloudy days are better as diffused light gives a more even cover.
When indoors, it’s best to stay away from overhead lighting that makes features appear sunken and harsh. Natural lighting produces photos with a soft and ethereal glow, so use it to your advantage by shooting in front of a window.
If you’re hitting the town, take your gadgets with you. Selfie phone cases that transform into a light source are ideal for low-light situations and can boost nighttime shots. The addition of a mini ring light for your phone will also mimic a kinder more natural daylight.
Use Photo Editing Phone Apps
Phone apps can take your photos to the next level. If you’re unfamiliar with your phone’s camera settings, try an app like Camera+ 2 to optimize your pictures. This app will ensure clear optical quality, the right shutter speed controls and offers a degree of depth that’s hard to beat.
For photo editing, you’ll want to use FaceTune to retouch your pictures. This user-friendly app is popular with Instagrammers who need to retouch photos. Apps like Lightroom, Photofox and Adobe Photoshop Express are more complex, but if you’re looking for additional features and filters, they are worth downloading.
If you frequently take photos outdoors, photo editing software can even help remove distracting background imagery. Remember to keep your edits subtle as overly retouched images can look fake and hurt your brand.
Wear Flattering Clothes
Beautiful clothes build confidence on and off camera, so dress to impress with styles that suit your body type. When preparing for an occasion or event where you’ll take pictures, make sure to wear stylish outfits that complement your look and desired style. If you have a small waist or want to create an hourglass figure, draw attention to it with a stylish belt or fit and flare skirt. If you have beautiful colored eyes, wear eyeshadow that draws attention and makes the color pop. You’ll want to bring focus to your favorite features.
Vibrant colors work well on camera, but if you want to let your makeup and accessories take center stage, wear muted colors like black, navy, or beige. You’ll also want to think about patterns and designs that can be distracting or colors that will clash with your makeup or surroundings.
Knowing whether your skin tone is warm or cool is also helpful. For example, orange works beautifully on warmer skin tones but looks harsh on women with pale skin or red hair.
Generally, tight patterns don’t translate well on camera and are best avoided. Play it safe and stick to block colors and simple designs that keep the focus on you. If you know where your next shoot is going to be, choose clothes that stand out against the background. Bold reds and earthy greens are both stunning options that suit most environments.
For close-up shots, delicate jewelry can add a touch of elegance. To make a statement, wear a classic fedora or costume necklace to draw the eye. When choosing shoes, take things to the next level with stylish stilettos , cute suede knee high boots, or sexy heels. Heels can add height, elongate your legs and create a slim look.
Apply The Right Makeup
Properly applied makeup can transform a dull photo into a masterpiece. Camera settings alter the way makeup looks, so any foundation or concealers that aren’t perfectly matched to your skin will look obvious. If you don’t usually wear makeup, it’s important to use it on camera to avoid looking washed out.
To avoid flashback that can make photos look white and blotchy, stick to powders, moisturizers and sunscreens products without SPF. You’ll also want to keep your skin matte with pressed or loose powder products.
For a cute doe-eyed look, curl your lashes and apply a thick coat of mascara. Small amounts of white eyeliner on the waterline also helps to widen the eyes. Using a darker brow pencil to define the eyebrows is a great idea since this style will stop you from looking washed out. Brows are crucial for shaping the face, so don’t leave them out.
Contour is also a must, as natural features can look two-dimensional on camera. For a chiseled look use a contour powder to carve out cheekbones and add a pop of blush to your cheeks for a fresh-faced glow. Avoid applying shimmer on the face, but a brush of sparkling powder across the collarbones looks beautiful on camera.
Style Your Hair with The Right Products
Your hair can make or break a picture, so you’ll need to choose a hairstyle that looks good and style your hair with the right products. Flash can be unforgiving on flyaways, so use a top-rated anti-frizz serum or spray to tame unruly hair. For a lighter touch, apply a spray oil or light hairspray to your palms and pat stray hairs into place. Styling your hair with quality products will ensure a healthy, natural look.
If you’re attending an important event, treat yourself to a professional blowout. The results should last up to three days if your hair is left unwashed, which is ideal for multi-day events. For beautifully sleek hair, finish your look with a spritz of shiny spray for a beautiful finish.
Volumizing products look great in real life but should be avoided when taking pictures as thin hair can look lifeless when weighed down. Even if you tease your locks at the roots, light will penetrate gaps in the hair and make it look flat. Bouncy hair that moves well is key to a great shot, so don’t be afraid to let your natural hair shine.
If you still want to create volume, use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to enhance fullness all over your head. When taking a picture, consider running your hands through your hair to boost volume.
Choose Your Angles and Positions Carefully
It can be effective to look at pictures that inspire you when working out your best angles. Red carpet photos are a great place to start for this. Celebrities are seasoned pros at working the camera, so take note of how they position their arms, shoulders, and hands.
For a slimmer silhouette, angle your body to the side and roll your shoulders back to relieve tension and open the chest. Experimenting with angles helps you find your best side.
Whether you prefer your right or left side, tilting it towards the camera will create beautiful shots every time. Angles highlight your best features, so don’t be afraid to ask friends to switch sides in a group shot.
Clear The Background
Don’t let a poor background ruin your shot. It isn’t always possible to find a clear background, but busy settings can distract your viewer. If you’re taking photos inside, find a simple wall to stand against. Double-check that the background is clear of clutter before taking a photo to keep the focus on you. As a rule, standing against a plain background will produce a stronger image.
How To Smile Better in Photos
Learning to smile for photos can be a process that requires time and effort. Much like the tips and tricks you need to become photogenic, creating the right smile to look good in pictures is all about relaxing and being natural. Most people have beautiful smiles in candid shots, meaning the trouble starts when we know a camera is coming out. If you’re feeling nervous, consider closing your eyes, taking deep breathes, and thinking about a happy or funny moment. Keeping your eyes shut until you need to take a picture will help you calm down, relax your face and jaw muscles, and smile more naturally.
You may also want to practice smiling at home, in front of a mirror, to find the most flattering look for you. Some people might look better smiling without teeth for a sexy vibe, while others may want to pull off a cute and happy expression with teeth. Whether you’re taking a selfie and posing by yourself or appearing in a group photo with family and friends will determine your smile, angles, and positioning.
How To Be Photogenic
- The most important step to looking better in pictures is to take the time to study and analyze what you need to improve.
- You can be photogenic by practicing your pose and learning how to smile instantly, allowing you to look perfect in pictures every time.
- If you want to smile better in photos, have the photographer tell a joke or think about something funny for a more photogenic look.
- When doing your makeup, make sure you match your foundation to your skin tone, curl your lashes, apply mascara, use lipstick, feature some light blush, and fill in your eyebrows.
- The best hairstyles are sleek and shiny, but your hair should still look natural and healthy so apply just the right amount of styling product.
- When taking a cute picture, always think about angles and positioning that have created the best pictures for you in the past.
- The right background and lighting can drastically impact your look in a photo so choose light-colored backdrops that will brighten your face.
