How to Always Look Great in a Photo

Most photos of people look like they were taken for a lineup of the usual suspects or in the middle of their run from a tsunami. Photos taken spontaneously catch the person off guard usually with their mouth gaping and their eyes wide open, not always a pretty picture. It is best to be prepared for the camera and what it can do. Great photos don’t come by chance. It is time to be proactive about how to be the wonderful shining self you want to see in you next photo. The world is waiting and you can do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Mirror
• Good lighting
• Chair (it may take several sittings and you need to be comfortable each time)
• Camera and tripod

1. Sit comfortably on a chair before a well lighted mirror. Ensure that there is no other lighting in the room that casts shadows or reflections. What you are wearing or not wearing isn’t the point. This step is to learn to relax and begin the process of training your face to respond on cue.
2. Smile at your mirror image and gauge what reaction you have. Think of a pleasant image or story.
3. Try several different expressions and smiles, such as a slightly serious look or a hint of a smile. Then try a broad smile. Don’t go for the looking sideways look, it mostly doesn’t work and is difficult to maintain.
4. Decide which smile or expression fits you and the image you want to portray. Go through the different expressions and smiles as many times as it takes to find the right look for you.
5. Find the look, smile or not that fits your image, the view of you that you want the world or at least your friends and family to see. Remember, strangers are impressed by the first photo that they see of a person.
6. Practice that look over and over until the muscles in your face return to it each time you are ready for your close-up. You must train your facial muscles to respond to that look until you can feel that look without a mirror. That is very important.
7. Set up a tripod and timer to take photos of you with your photo expression on. The more you practice, the more your face will automatically go to that set of facial expression when you want it.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax--you are alone and not in front of a firing squad.
• Visualize you at your most perfect and go for it.

Who Can Help:

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