How to Be Photogenic (Men)

Co-authored by Frankie Sanderson

Last Updated: November 28, 2023 References

Looking good in photos is tough, for men just as much as women. It's not a great feeling to look back on a photo that didn’t capture your good side, but by paying a little extra attention to your facial expressions, your camera pose, and your general appearance, you can make yourself stand out in every photo and look good doing it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Accentuating Your Face

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1
Smile genuinely for the camera. Try not to show your bottom teeth, as it can bring extra attention to your mouth and make it appear larger in photos. Aside from that, don’t think too hard about it and just try to show your most genuine happy face. If you still find yourself smiling awkwardly in front of the camera, try mouthing the word “Thursday” rather than “cheese”, as it creates a more realistic smiling mouth shape.
- If you want to show your most genuine laughing smile, tell yourself a joke or think of something funny before the photo is taken, and your face will light up naturally!^{[1]
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- Consciously putting your tongue behind your teeth when you smile can help to make your smile appear more full and more genuine in photos.
2
Tidy up your hair and clean up your facial hair. It’s important to be groomed for photos, and for looking great in day to day life as well. Make sure your facial hair is lined up neatly and use an electric razor to shave off the any ragged straggler hairs.^{[2]
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- If you have long hair, try to keep it away from your face, and consider putting it up into a ponytail or trendy man bun so as not to get in the way of your features.
- If you know your picture is going to be taken in the future, consider getting a haircut touch up to boost your confidence in your look.
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3
Look away from the camera to show your side profile. Facing the camera head-on can make your jawline appear different than it might in real life. Turn your head about 10 to 15 degrees away from the camera - your chin and jawline will appear much stronger, and you will have a candid look in the photo.
- You can tilt your head down slightly too for a similar effect. This helps to bring focus away from your face and highlights your chin.
Candid-style photography can make the subject feel more mysterious and unrevealing. Whether you are facing the camera or looking away slightly, averting your gaze from the camera lens can do wonders to make you look more "in the moment" in a photo and bring the viewer's attention to features other than your eyes.
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Take care of your skin on a regular basis.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Frankie Sanderson
Makeup Artist & Stylist

Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.} Skincare is a habit men tend to pass up in favor of looking rugged, but it is important to have a well-washed face and to pay attention to blemishes and marks. In the modern era of HD cameras in everyone's pocket, even minor issues can show up more prominently in a photo.
- Consider buying a daily face wash or pay more attention to scrubbing your face in the shower each and every day. You'll amaze yourself with how much your skin condition improves in just a few weeks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Paying Attention to Your Style

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1
Pick out clothes that match your appearance. Taking pictures with a white t-shirt, cargo shorts, and velcro sandals won’t do you any favors in the photogenic game. Try to find clothes that go well with clothes you already own, and don’t be afraid to try something different. Sometimes, variety is the spice of life.
- Clothes can be the easiest way to improve your appearance in general, but will not always be enough to make you photogenic.
- Wearing clothes that make you feel confident and handsome is more important than picking out the trendiest styles.
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Choose colors that accentuate your features.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Frankie Sanderson
Makeup Artist & Stylist

Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.} If you have red hair, for example, you should try to avoid green and blue, as these colors clash with orange, while colors like brown and grey don’t distract from your colorful hair. If you have light skin, dark colors can work well to contrast your complexion, whereas if you have dark skin, light colors can create a similar effect.^{[5]
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- White clothes and lighter colors tend to make their wearer appear more filled out, and are recommended for skinny and thin men.
- Black clothes and darker colors have a slimming effect, and are recommended for plus-sized and larger men.
If you end up buying a new outfit, getting a different haircut, or just want to test out a couple of different expressions and poses in the mirror, see how your look comes together yourself before bringing it out into the world.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Perfecting Your Camera Pose

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1
Stand confidently with your shoulders back. Stand as tall as you are able to, and push your chest out slightly with your shoulders back. This makes you appear taller but also stronger in photos, as a prominent chest and correct standing posture can convey a sense of confidence.
- Having correct posture is essential to appearing confident and photogenic on camera. Practice every day to improve your posture, not just for the camera, but for your own physical health as well.
2
Don’t stand too close to the camera in group photos. In group photos, the person standing in the front of will always appear to be much larger proportionally than their friends, even if this is not the case.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, if you are a smaller person, standing closer to the front can make you appear more prominently in the photo. A larger person should always aim to be in the back.
3
Take photos from above whenever possible. Ask the person taking the photo to take it standing up while you are seated. Taking photos from below can make people seem huge and make your neck seem fat, while photos from above can reduce this and bring attention to your jawline and chin.
- If you are taking a selfie, don’t take it straight on. Instead, lift the phone slightly above your eyeline and tilt your head towards the camera slightly for the same effect.^{[7]
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Blinking during photos is the number 1 way to ruin your camera presence. Try to blink a few times a few seconds before everybody seems ready for the photo, and you can save yourself both time and embarrassment by not having to take another shot.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I avoid looking washed out in pictures?

Frankie Sanderson
Makeup Artist & Stylist
Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.

Frankie Sanderson

Makeup Artist & Stylist

Expert Answer

For photoshoots, I recommend using makeup to define your features a bit more than your day-to-day makeup looks. The camera can wash you out otherwise.

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Tips

Go over older pictures of you and be critical of your appearance. Did you smile too widely in one, or start getting a glazed-over look in another? Pay attention to the things you can improve and slowly take steps to make your future photos the best they can be.

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Warnings

New clothes, haircuts, and looks won’t always be enough for you to feel photogenic every time. The real secret is having the self confidence to own your look, whatever it may be, and continuously make adjustments to yourself.

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