So I recently asked some amazing professional photographers to help me with this post, and asked them to contribute a few words to help you when you're faced with a lens pointing at you. Here's their top tips for looking your best in photographs....
Don't wear fake tan. It may look fairly natural to the naked eye but it almost always looks orange on a digital photo! Also, if the ladies wear fake tan and the men don't the difference is obvious on the group shots.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.ollievision.co.uk
A smile is in the eyes as much as the mouth - the better you get to know your photographer before the event the more relaxed you will be when smiling and that will shine through in your photos
- Helen Rushton
www.helenrushtonphotograph
A photograph taken from above is always best to avoid double chins and also makes your waist look smaller too!! Just make sure your top isn't too low cut or you might get to see more than you bargained for!!
- Kerry Diamond
www.kerrydiamondphotograph
I tell my clients, "Think like a swan, swans never have double chins"
- Mandy Charlton
http://mandycharlton.com/
keep your arm away from your body, put it on your hip and point your elbow out. stops flattened arms looking big against bodies
- Kathy Dunn
http://www.katherineashdown.co.uk/
Shimmy and relax your shoulders avoids that hunched-like-a-vulture look. And look up into the camera or at your partner.
- Rosie Woodhouse
http://www.littlepeopleportraitsskye.co.uk
When your arms hang at your sides it makes you look wider so always bend them at the elbow and create that little triangle of light between your body and arm. This is a great slimming trick.
- Robin Owen
http://robinowenphotography.com/
I tell clients not to smile because they're having their picture taken but because it's a beautiful day, because they're in love, because they've just married the love of their life. I also tell clients to whisper a compliment in one another's ears or to remind each other of something they noticed about one another on the first day they met, or something they love about one another. When they do this, it always brings natural, genuine smiles to their faces.
- Erika Szostak
www.photomadly.com
Get to know your photographer before the big day, via an engagement or portrait shoot - you will be much more relaxed in front of the camera come the big day and your photographer will have learnt a lot about you and the style you like! (And no red or patterns on clothing at the enagement shoot!)
- Sally Beard
www.thephotographyboutique
I always get clients to raise the chin slightly. That always seems to sort out the "double chin".
- Addey Kehinde
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagery-by-Addey-Kehinde/139728756082158
Kiss the back of your hand to plump up your lips again after you've been smiling for ages and your lips feel all thinned out.
- Hannah Webster
http://www.lifelinephotography.co.uk/
On my shoots I often say "chin up" as it avoids unsightly shadows under eyes (in natural light) and makes people look more attractive. If you are being photographed try to be mindful of your body and posture, (e.g. what you do with your hands, if in doubt hand on a hip always looks good) but don't concentrate on it too much, as long as you look natural and you're having fun the pictures will look good as well.
- Olivia Vitazkova
www.reverinephotography.co
Always stand with your weight on your back foot and bend your front leg. stand at a slight angle about 45 degrees to camera not flat on unless instructed to do so.
-Emily Walker
http://www.emilyhancock.co.uk
Be honest with your photographer about any concerns you have BEFORE the photo shoot. Do you have a skin condition that you don't want to show on the photos? What about a mole or birthmark that you dislike? It's vital to discuss this prior to the shoot so that the photographer can take action to minimise the appearance of a condition if necessary.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.Ollievision.co.uk
Always make sure you get an engagement shoot before your big day. You'd be surprised at the difference it will make to your wedding pics and how comfortable you feel if you and the photographer have built up a relationship and you have experienced the way he/she shoots. It also gives the photographer chance to get to know how you photograph. Try to be yourself and not to do to much 'posing'. The idea is to capture YOU Don't be afraid to chat, laugh and play around with one another as if the photographer isn't there- these make great shots!
- Emma Thwaites
https://www.facebook.com/
When you're being photographed try to think of your photographer as a funny friend, not a random stranger. The way you look at a funny friend is very different from a stranger. So your photographer is your best buddy. ;)
- Cathie Heart
http://www.cathieheartphotography.com/blog/
make sure the person with the camera is shooting slightly downwards so that your eyes look bigger, close your eyes for a moment before the click so they are fresh, make sure the light is even on your face and you're not squinting and relax!
- Jo Blackwell
www.joblackwell.co.uk
and finally, two tips from me...
If you're short (like me!) ask your partner to put their arm around your waist, rather than placing their hand over your shoulder. If it's on the shoulder, it can end up looking like you're being pushed down further, whereas round the waist makes you look closer to their height.
Ladies, try to avoid holding bouquets/handbags too high. Holding a bouquet under the bustline hides the outline of the waist and can make even a slimline lady look wider than she is. By keeping arms long and relaxed, you elongate your figure.
I hope you've found these tips helpful... feel free to add any you've picked up or know to the comments box below, and I may do a follow up on this post!
Lost of great advice there! What a fantastic post x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I had some great photographers with lots of experience between them to help me with the post. x
ReplyDelete