How to Be Photogenic

You don't have to be a model or a celebrity to be photogenic. However, you can take some tips from these seasoned professionals and look your best in a photograph every time. It doesn't require a makeup artist or an expensive wardrobe, just a few insider tricks of the trade.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Look slightly to the side of the lens. This reduces the chance of having red-eye from the flash and also avoids the "deer-in-the-headlights" look.

2. Stand with one foot slightly in front of the other, with your body angled to one side. This is a slimming pose for both men and women. Check out your favorite celebrity magazine to see how frequently this photogenic pose is used.

3. Think of a happy thought if you are going to smile for the camera. Remember to engage your whole face in the smile, so you don't appear as if you are revealing your teeth for a dental exam.

4. Tilt your shoulders back slightly. Most people have poor posture, which looks dreadful on film.

5. Tip your chin up, so that you avoid the appearance of a double chin. Even slender people will give themselves a double chin if they don't follow this photogenic tip.

6. Adopt a Mona Lisa expression of contentment if you don't like your smile. Bad teeth or not, a serious or melancholy look comes off as grim, not mysterious.

7. Ask the photographer to keep the camera slightly above your eye level, which will encourage you to lift your whole body towards the lens. A photographer should never crouch down on the ground in front of the subject, unless photographing small children.