12 Tips to Get a Picture Perfect Smile

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Effective tips to improve your smile and self-confidence in photos

Co-authored by Crystal Bear and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: September 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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Flashing the perfect smile can be challenging sometimes, but luckily, there are tons of ways to improve your technique and look more confident in photos. In this article, we’ll teach you how to smile better on the spot and keep your smile looking beautiful. We also spoke with professional photographers and dentists for tips on how to maintain a natural, healthy, and genuine grin.

Tips to Smile Better in Photos

Smile with your eyes to look more genuine and happy.
Think about something funny right before taking a photo.
Position your camera above eye level for the best angle.
Don’t let your top and bottom teeth touch when smiling.
Relax the muscles in your face and don’t force a huge smile.
Wet your teeth with your tongue to get a brighter smile on camera.
Practice smiling in the mirror so you can flash a nice smile on the spot.

1

Smile with your eyes.

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Lift your eyes and cheekbones to make your smile more genuine. According to modeling agent Traci Halvorson, the key to a beautiful smile is to “be alive in your eyes.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Traci Halvorson
Modeling Agent

Expert Interview. 28 May 2021.} Start with a relaxed face, then squint slightly to lift the corners of your eyes. Follow up by lifting the corners of your mouth to smize. You’ll know you’re doing it right if you cover your mouth and it still looks like you’re smiling.^{[2]
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- Smiling with your eyes is also known as the Duchenne smile. It involves contracting the muscles around your cheekbones and upper lip to create a beautiful, genuine smile.^{[3]
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- Narrowing your eyes might seem counterintuitive to a good smile, but it actually isn’t! Believe it or not, widening your eyes too much can make you look fearful and unapproachable.

2

Think about something funny.

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A funny memory can help your smile look more friendly and natural. Think about the last time you were laughing with a friend or cracking up at your favorite TV show. Chances are, that smile lit up your whole face—your eyes were crinkling, your cheekbones were lifted, and those telltale smile lines were curving from your nose to your lips.
- Picture that same funny moment whenever you’re about to take a picture. You'll end up with a smile that’s beautiful and authentic.^{[4]
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- On the flip side, look up a picture of two celebrities or politicians meeting on camera. Their smiles are probably tense, forced, and the exact opposite of what you want to go for.

3

Position the camera slightly above your eyes.

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Keep your camera above eye level to avoid any unflattering angles. According to professional photographer Crystal Bear, you can take better photos by “facing a window with your [camera] just slightly above eye level and looking down at you.”^{[5]
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Expert Source

Crystal Bear
Professional Photographer

Expert Interview. 21 January 2021.} This will help your chin look thinner, plus prevent the camera from distorting your facial features. It’s a small trick that can make your smile appear much brighter on camera!
- If you’re taking a selfie, Bear recommends using the back camera on your phone and “putting it on a tripod.”^{[6]
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  Crystal Bear
  Professional Photographer
  
  Expert Interview. 21 January 2021.}
- Whatever you do, don’t hold the camera below your eyeline. This upward angle shows off your nose and chin more than your stunning smile, which you definitely don’t want!^{[7]
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4

Separate your teeth as you smile.

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Don’t let your top and bottom teeth touch each other when smiling. Leave a tiny gap of space between your upper and lower rows of teeth for a natural smile. Clenching your teeth together can cause muscle tension and make you look uncomfortable. In fact, your teeth should only touch when swallowing for proper jaw position.^{[8]
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- Practice smiling with your teeth slightly separated in the mirror, then smile with your teeth touching. You’ll be able to see the difference!

5

Keep your smile relaxed and subtle.

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Some people find big, V-shaped smiles less attractive and photogenic. According to research, smaller smiles with a medium mouth angle are considered more attractive than huge, toothy smiles with a high, V-shaped angle.^{[9]
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PLOS ONE
Online peer-reviewed, open access scientific research journal

Go to source} Keep your smile natural instead of over-exaggerating it—you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes!
- This isn’t to say that toothy smiles are totally off-limits! Showing a little teeth is fine, as long as you’re not forcing a huge grin.
- Focus on lifting your cheekbones, slightly squinting your eyes, and keeping your jaw relaxed. These are all key elements of a natural smile!

6

Lick your teeth before the camera flashes.

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Wetting your teeth with your tongue can add some shine to your smile. As you’re getting in position for your photo, quickly slide your tongue over your upper and lower rows of teeth. A quick coat of saliva helps your teeth look bright and polished, which takes your smile to new, beautiful heights.
- Petroleum jelly can also do the trick—just rub a little bit over the front of your teeth to give them an extra sheen. Just be sure not to swallow it!

7

Make your smile symmetrical.

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A bright, symmetrical smile looks more genuine than an asymmetrical one. Studies show that people associate symmetrical smiles with beauty and attractiveness.^{[10]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} More often than not, cheeky, sideways smiles are linked to sarcasm, rather than genuine happiness. So, try to smile with your face fully and evenly pointed forward—that way, there’s no room for doubt that your beautiful smile is genuine.
- To fix an uneven smile, try chewing on both sides of your mouth and sleeping on both sides evenly. You can also perform facial exercises, like practicing a fish face or holding a pencil in your mouth, to strengthen your jaw muscles.^{[11]
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8

Improve your posture.

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Maintain good posture to increase your overall attractiveness. Instead of crossing your arms in front of your chest, stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, and raise your chin. Proper posture improves your health and self-confidence, causing others to perceive you as more attractive, too.^{[12]
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Research source} The more approachable you look, the more genuine and beautiful your smile will seem.
- Try lifting up your chest a little bit and leaning forward slightly during your next conversation. This posture will make you look even more friendly and engaged.

9

Practice smiling in the mirror.

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It’s easier to perfect your smile when you can see it head-on. Memorize exactly what the smile feels like—what muscles are you using? What makes this smile different from all of the others? The more you practice in front of a mirror, the easier it will be to produce a natural-looking smile on the spot.^{[13]
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- It can help to take a look at an old selfie where you’re busting out a beautiful grin, or to google pictures of happy-looking people. Take a close look at their expressions and try to copy exactly what they’re doing. It may seem silly at first, but it’s a great way to master a beautiful smile!^{[14]
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10

Moisturize your lips.

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Smooth, luscious lips are an important part of a beautiful smile. If your lips are on the chapped side, swipe on some healing and moisturizing lip balm. Look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products with ingredients like castor seed oil, ceramides, shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, dimethicone, hemp seed oil, and/or white petroleum jelly.^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source} Apply the balm throughout the day to keep your lips (and smile!) looking gorgeous.
- If you like, apply lipstick. Studies show darker shades can make women look more attractive and feminine.^{[16]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
- As tough as it may be, try not to pick or bite at your lips when they’re chapped. This will only make things worse!^{[17]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  
  Go to source}

11

Practice good dental care each day.

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The most beautiful smile of all is a healthy one. According to board-certified dentist and oral surgeon Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS, you should “brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush.” Make sure to “use dental floss to clean the spaces between your teeth.”^{[18]
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Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS
Board Certified Dentist & Oral Surgeon

Expert Interview. 20 September 2023.} To maintain a beautiful smile, visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and cavity prevention.^{[19]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Here are some other easy ways to keep your teeth in great shape:
- Cut back on sweet, sugary treats.
- Steer clear of cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Buy a new toothbrush every 3-4 months, or whenever the bristles are worn out.
- Use toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral care products endorsed by the American Dental Association.

12

Whiten your teeth.

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Bright pearly whites can enhance your natural smile. There are tons of teeth-whitening products on the market, so start with a whitening toothpaste and see how that works for you. For faster results, use whitening strips or whitening gels. They usually have higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to lighten your teeth.^{[20]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- You can also try toothpaste with baking soda or whitening trays to whiten your teeth at home.
- If you have sensitive teeth, talk with your dentist before trying any at-home whitening products. They can tell you which products work best for you and offer other suggestions.
- To get the best results from whitening strips, licensed dentist Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE says to make sure you “don’t apply it to the gums” and ensure your “teeth are dry prior to application.”^{[21]
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  Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
  Licensed Dentist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}

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Tips

Talk to a dentist or orthodontist to see if dental work like braces or plastic aligners could be a good option for you and your smile.^{[22]
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Blue-tinted lip gloss and blue-based lipsticks can help your teeth look whiter.^{[23]
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Take a moment to relax and shake everything out before a picture. The more relaxed you are, the more genuine and beautiful your smile will seem!

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Think of elongating your spine when standing, and keep your shoulders relaxed and your feet flat on the floor when sitting. Maintaining a relaxed position can make your smile look more natural.
If you're smiling for a photoshoot, wear an outfit that makes you feel good. This can increase your confidence and make your smile even brighter!
Place the tip of your tongue behind your teeth to avoid over smiling.

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