By Cari Cooney
How many times have you had your picture taken, professionally or in a casual setting, looked at the picture and thought "Gee why didn't I pose better?" Perhaps you were slumped or your head was tilted and looked unusually attached to your neck. This article will give you some great tips to help you achieve picture perfect posing next time the camera's on you!
Many people, especially women, want to look their best in pictures...and that means looking as good as possible. How many times have you looked at one of your pictures and said "Wow, do I look a little heavier than usual in this shot?" Or how about "That picture doesn't look like me at all!"
Let's talk about some of the ways you can position yourself to look great. It's not about looking skinny, that isn't the intention of this article, it's about looking right.
Act natural
It's a general rule in photography to act natural. If you don't act like yourself, the picture won't really reflect who you are. Remember not to hold your breath and never look straight into the lens of the camera. I usually try to look at the top of the person's head taking the picture. Fake, large smiles often don't work well. Remember, if your cheeks are hurting when you try to smile, then you're probably trying to hard. Relax!
Turn slightly to the side while standing
If you're taking a group shot, or a full body shot where you'll be photographed from toe to top, you should always remember to turn slightly to the side. Professional photographers will most always have you turn a little, as shots taken straight on don't look as good.
Use this tip in a casual setting too. Just turn a little to one side and keep your head facing forward. This works great for people who have broad shoulders that make them feel insecure. Look at Figure A for an example of a standing picture.
FIGURE A
This shot shows a standing picture with the body turned to one side. See the nice, even distribution of the body. (click for larger image)
Cross your arms to draw attention away from your stomach
Figure A also shows another great tip for looking good in a picture. This picture was taken for headshot purposes, so I've lightly crossed my arms. This also can draw away from your stomach if you're insecure about it. Don't cross your arms in a group picture unless everyone else is doing it, otherwise you'll appear grumpy.
Don't cross your legs
If there was one solid piece of advice I could offer you when taking a standing picture, it would have to be: don't cross your legs. You'll see a lot of celebrities on the red carpet crossing one foot over the other for the paparazzi. They think it makes them look slimmer and taller, but in reality, it just makes them look like they have to go to the bathroom.
Tricks for seated photography
Turning your body to the side still applies when you're taking a picture sitting down. If you need to get a shot of you sitting, try getting a barstool or another backless chair to sit on. Whichever side of you is closest to the camera--put that leg up on a small box. It gives the pictures a "squared" look and doesn't look like you're being forced to pose in a chair. Elevating your leg about 6 inches makes a big difference. Look at Figure B for an example.
FIGURE B
I'm sitting down in this picture and the photographer is on a stool, standing much higher than my eye level. My leg is propped up on a small milk crate. These shots can turn out great! (click for larger image)
Plus-size tips
I wanted to give some "plus-size" tips for people who were wondering the best ways for them to pose in pictures. I asked my plus-sized fashion guru pal, Sandra Jayne, if there was anything I could share with everyone at Connected Photographer. Her advice is listed below.
- Don't keep your arms straight. Bend one or both slightly to avoid making the photo look artificial.
- Try putting your most of your weight on one foot when standing. You can rest one arm on your hip. It can give a slightly slimming effect, and makes your photo look sassy!
- Watch your chin! A chin in a low position can show wrinkles, giving a "double chin" look. Tilt it up a littler higher than you usually do. Don't go too high, or it will look like a mug shot!
Now you have some great advice you can evoke the next time you are getting your picture taken. These tips are for anyone, not just models, and can be applied to anyone of any shape. Be natural, be yourself and be beautiful!