7 Tips for How to Look Better in Photos

Have a photoshoot coming up? These tips for how to be more photogenic and look better in pictures will help you look and feel amazing during that photoshoot for family pictures, headshots, or anything else!

A couple of weeks ago one of my long time internet friends sent me a message on Instagram asking if I could do a post sharing tips to be more photogenic in pictures. And actually a lot of you have requested this over the years, but I’ve never done a post about it!

I’ve been shooting photos for my blog for more than 8 years, and trust me, it took some practice.

How about a nice example for your enjoyment.

This is from 2011, and it’s so cringey I can hardly look at it.

Anyway, there are definitely some tips that will help you be more photogenic. Here are a few that will hopefully help when you’re taking family pictures, headshots, your own blog photos if you’re a blogger, or any other photos you might be taking.

Try these 8 tips for how to be more photogenic

Tip 1: Take one step forward.

Instead of keeping your feet together, take a small step forward with one foot. Adjust your weight and rotate your shoulders a little bit. Don’t turn your legs in weird ways like I did in my bad example photo above. Just stand naturally and then take one small step forward. That’s it.

You could also cross one leg in front of the other, as I did in the photo above with the hat. Point your toe a little bit and your legs will look nice and long!

Tip 2: Choose figure flattering clothing

When it comes to choosing outfits for photos, there are definitely a few things to consider.

• Skip any boxy or shapeless pieces. Honestly, be careful with oversized pieces in general. They all can easily make you look wider and bigger.
• If you’re petite, put on some heels to add height and help you stand tall.
• V-necks are always going to be flattering because they elongate your neck and open up your face.

In our family photos from last summer (above), you can see how a simple fit and flare dress accentuates my waistline, and then breezes over my hips. The longer length is super flattering and cuts off just above my narrow ankles, rather than at wider parts of my leg.

Tip 3: Turn your head and lift your chin ever so slightly.

A little head turn makes a big difference.

Don’t turn your head sideways (it’ll make your eyes extend back too far and look unnatural) — just a slight and very natural rotation and a slight lift of your chin (I mean SLIGHT) will be very flattering to your face.

I have a straight on and a slight rotation side by side above and you can see the difference in the shape of my face.

(also see it in action in our family photo from the previous tip!)

If you have a side part, turn your head so the part side faces the camera — it’s more flattering for your hair against your face!

Tip 4: Try this easy turned pose that works every time.

Rotate your body so your shoulders and feet are at a 45 angle from the camera.

This is a simple trick I use all the time. It’s an easy pose that doesn’t feel forced or overly posed.

Don’t forget good posture – no slouching!

Also, don’t throw your shoulders back too much or you’ll look stiff. But make sure you’re standing up straight — it’s so much more flattering for your body, and makes you look taller and slimmer!

Tip 5: Use these tips if you don’t know what to do with your hands in photos

What to do with your hands?

The age old question — what do I do with these hands?! These are a few of my go-tos when I’m in a photo by myself. When you’re in a group photo it’s much easier to lean up against someone, hold a baby, or hold someone’s hand.

• Touch two fingertips on each hand together
• Put one hand in a pocket (not both!)
• Tuck a strand of hair behind your ear
• Touch the end of a strand of hair
• Touch your purse if you have one
• Hold your sunglasses
• Fold your arms loosely, and then bring one hand up in a loose fist and put it in front of your mouth or touch an earring. It sounds weird, but you can see an example above!

Tip 6: Move your body!

Especially when you’re taking pictures by yourself, it can feel pretty awkward to just stand there. So don’t just stand there — take a step forward, take a step back, look slowly from side to side, adjust your weight, move your hands from your hair to your bag to your sunglasses to your pocket. Twist your shoulders side to side. Smile, laugh, look pensively off to the side. Do a twirl!

The more you move, the less awkward you’ll feel. Seriously, try it!

This also definitely applies to group photos. Walk together, pick up the kids and give them kisses, dance with your husband. The more you move and play, the better the shots become.

Tip 7: Practice in the mirror.

Ok, you might feel embarrassed to do this, but I promise it helps. Everyone is different, and some of these tips above might need some tweaking to make them work for you. Try different angles and faces and hand placement, and then commit some of the best ones to memory so you can try them out when you’re in front of the camera.

I hope these tips are helpful — go take some pictures and try them out!

And remember, getting good at anything takes practice, including posing in front of a camera!

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