How to Smile for the Camera

Being photogenic is one thing. Becoming photogenic is another. Learning how to smile for the camera, to present your best self on film, is easy with a few simple steps. Read on, fix a few photo blunders and you’ll soon smile for the camera with a model’s confidence.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital camera to view progress
• Friend to snap shots

1. Face the camera. Rotate your body slightly while keeping your head straight toward the lens. Position one food behind and slightly diagonal to the front foot. Stand up straight and keep your arms relaxed and at your sides. This length and rotation shapes a nice silhouette for a woman. Men may want to face the camera head on with their whole body when being photographed.

2. Make eye contact with the lens. Try to project some intensity, and focus on one spot so as not to look dazed. Too much intensity, however, will communicate a stiff demeanor.

3. Begin by smiling as naturally as possible, but make the following facial adjustments to shape the lower part of your face. Flex the muscles below the lips slightly to widen your smile and tighten your otherwise slack chin. Smile through your cheekbones, but widen the eyes simultaneously so that you avoid squinting.

4. Lengthen your neck and stick out your chin slightly. Imagine there is a “C” running from your chin and jaw line down through the hollow at the base of your neck. This image will keep you from haphazardly loosening your chi, which creates the dreaded double-chin effect.

5. Think of something pleasant or enjoyable when you smile for the camera. When the camera clicks, you want to appear earnestly happy.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax your body and facial muscles in between shots so that the next time you smile for the camera, you’ll seem charmingly spontaneous rather than fake.
• If you’re having trouble smiling naturally, laugh slightly so give your smile an organic look.
• Practice in front of the mirror to know exactly how to angle your face or how much teeth you should show. Camera smiles are different for everyone. Check out some past pictures to see what stance and degree of smile becomes you the most.

[yogisgirl]

on 11/4/2009 Great tips. Thanks.

[smileformetoys]

on 1/27/2009 Great tips. Everyone should spend some time thinking of how they can look their best in a photo. A life time of ducking and running from the camera doesn't make for a good slide show at the milestone birthday or anniversary parties!

[Trese]

on 2/3/2008 Nice article. It brings out some points that the similar articles in EHow do not.