How to Look Good in Pictures

Co-authored by Traci Halvorson

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

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Anyone can look good in pictures by figuring out how best to pose in front of the camera. Even if you feel like you aren't photogenic, learning some simple tricks can make a huge difference. These techniques include positioning your body in better ways, changing the lighting or scenery that you're in, and practicing confidence so that you can come to love any photo someone takes of you. Once you get these methods down, you'll be ready to strike a pose at any moment!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing For Taking Pictures

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1
Determine why you look good (or bad) in pictures. Study photos of yourself. When did you look good? When did you look bad? Can you spot the difference? Look at pictures of other people and find out why they look good. Some problems might be:
- Lighting of your photo
- Squinted or closed eyes
- Wrong angle on your face
- Not using your best smile
- Cosmetic issues, such as blemishes and black heads, or a hairstyle or clothing choice that doesn't suit you
2
Practice posing in front of a mirror or a camera. The best way to find out your best angle or smile is to practice. Decide what positions you look best in.
- Decide if your right or left side looks the best. Our faces aren't completely symmetrical, so one side generally looks better than the other.
- Try angling your body so that you will be familiar with how to position yourself when you get in front of a camera. You need be turn about 45 degrees for the most flattering pose.
- Your hair style usually helps determine which side looks better, especially if your hairstyle is asymmetrical.
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3
Wear the right clothes. Wear clothes that you know look good on you. Dress in flattering cuts for your body type. Know what colors look good with your complexion and hair. This is important for looking your best in photos. As a general rule, solids look better than patterns.^{[1]
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- When wearing patterns, make sure to choose them carefully. Patterns can make you look bad, depending on your body shape. Smaller patterns can look busy and messy in a photo. Instead of wearing patterns from head to foot, pick one patterned element in your wardrobe.^{[2]
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- If you want to look thinner, wear darker clothes. If you're thin, try wearing a light dress or light-colored sports coat.^{[3]
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- Most importantly, wear clothes that you are confident in.
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Smile naturally.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Traci Halvorson
Modeling Agent

Expert Interview. 28 May 2021.} A fake smile can make you look bad in a photo. It looks forced and doesn't meet your eyes. When you take a photo, you need to give your best, most natural smile so you look your best.
- To give your best smile, you need to feel some kind of emotion. If you aren't happy in the moment, think of a happy memory, your favorite meal, or something that makes you laugh.^{[5]
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- A real smile engages the eyes. Try squinting with your lower lids. This can help you look more natural.
- Put the tip of your tongue on the back of your top teeth. This can help you smile naturally and avoid a too-wide grin.^{[6]
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- Get someone standing out of the picture frame to make you laugh.
- Practice in a mirror. Learn to feel the difference between your natural smile and your fake smile.
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Get the right makeup. For women, makeup can help make you look great (or terrible) in photos. Learning how to highlight the right areas can help make you look good in just about any photo.
- Use concealer instead of thick foundation. Use concealer for those trouble spots on your face, like red areas around the nose or dark circles under your eyes. Place concealer on the shadows on your face, which can be found by tilting your chin down while looking in the mirror. Then place translucent powder on your T-zone - the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. These areas can look greasy.^{[7]
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- Line the eyes with eyeliner to help them not disappear in a photo.^{[8]
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  Research source} Pair that with mascara to help your eyes pop.^{[9]
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- Place some blush on your cheeks to make them look less flat. Try a medium pink, coral, or peach shade on your cheeks.^{[10]
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  Research source} If you don't have blush, pinch your cheeks right before you take a photo to give them color.
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Give your hair some life. Before posing for a picture, flip your head over. This gives some volume if your hair has gone flat. You can also try running your hands through your hair to fix your part or fluff it up.
- Go easy on the styling products. Hair that looks wet or crunchy from too much product won't photograph well.^{[11]
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- Control frizz so you don't see flyaways in your photo. Put some pomade or dry oil on your hands to help sleek down your hair.^{[12]
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- Also think about posing your hair. Don't have it on your shoulders. Instead, have it in front of you, behind you, or over one shoulder. Practice beforehand and decide which placement flatters you most.^{[13]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Learning How to Take Good Pictures

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1
Tilt your head. When you look at the camera, don't look straight at the camera. Look slightly above or slightly below. Then, tilt your head up or down slightly.
- To get a stronger jawline and reduce the likelihood of a double chin, elongate your neck and tilt your chin down. It might feel funny, but it'll help you look great.
2
Find the light. Lighting is important when taking good pictures. If there's no flash, find a light source that shines on your face, not on the side of your face.
- Lamps, streetlights, windows, and doorways can give good light sources when there's no flash.^{[14]
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  Research source} They also can produce nice soft light for more flattering photos.
- Move around rooms to find the lighting. Try putting the lighting behind you, above you, and in front of you to find the best placement.
- One hour after sunset and one hour before sunset provides nice lighting for photos.^{[15]
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- Avoid lighting which places harsh shadows on your face. This can accentuate imperfections and give you unflattering dark areas. Bright lighting can also emphasize wrinkles and other trouble spots. The sun or bright, harsh overhead lights can cause this unflattering light. Look for lighting that creates an even glow from the forehead to the cheeks to the chin.^{[16]
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  Research source} Try taking photos on a cloudy day or using a lamp or softer light.
3
Angle your body to the camera. Turn your body 45 degrees away from the camera instead of taking a photo full on.^{[17]
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Research source} This pose gives a slimming effect and creates angles that look better in a photo.
- Pose like you're on the red carpet. Put your hand on your hip, angle your body away from the camera, and turn your face towards it.^{[18]
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- Turn your torso so one shoulder is closer to the camera than the other. This helps make you look slender.^{[19]
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- Whatever you put towards the camera looks the biggest. If you don't want to emphasize parts of your body, make sure they are not the closest to the camera.
- Pull your shoulders back and straighten your back. Good posture can make a world of difference when you are taking a photo.^{[20]
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Position your body correctly. Instead of having straight, limp arms and stiff legs, try bending them to give them life. Bend your arms and hold them slightly away from your body. This also helps create shape to your midsection instead of bulk.^{[21]
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Research source} Keep your hands relaxed and slightly bent.
- Bend your front leg and place your weight in the back leg.^{[22]
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  Research source} Or try crossing your legs at the ankles.
- Pull your arm away from your body and bend it slightly to make it appear slimmer.
One of the best ways to get the best picture is to take more than one! Even models go through numerous frames to get that one perfect picture. The more pictures you take, the better likelihood you will get a great photo.^{[23]
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Feel confident. Make sure you feel proud of who you are. You are unique and have great features. Focus on that instead of any faults you think you have. Being happy and giving a genuine smile in the photo can make a world of difference.
- Don't try to bend your body into uncomfortable or awkward poses. Pose to flatter your body, but make sure to stay natural. Being stiff will just make you look awkward, which will result in a bad photo.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What kind of photos do I need for a modeling portfolio?

Traci Halvorson
Modeling Agent
Traci Halvorson is a Modeling Agent, Former Model, and the Owner of Halvorson Model Management (HMM) in San Jose, California. HMM is a full-service, licensed talent agency representing over 300 professional models and actors. With over 25 years of experience in the modeling industry, Traci specializes in scouting, managing, advising, and launching modeling careers in the Bay Area. Traci holds a BA in Public Relations & Business Management from San Jose State University and also specializes in Marketing, Image consulting, and is a certified Life-Career Coach.

Traci Halvorson

Modeling Agent

Expert Answer

Add at least three of your best photos. These photos should include either a body shot or a headshot. You want photos that provide a close-up, showing the color of your face, your skin, and the expression of your facial features.

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What are some tips for selfies?

Community Answer

I have found using soft light and tilting my head helps. Or try angling your head upwards for more focus on the eyes. Try to highlight your best features. Take a lot of pictures, you're bound to end up with some you like.

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How can I look as if I am having fun smiling?

Community Answer

Think of something that makes you happy, or ask someone to be funny and make you smile.

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Some people look good smiling showing their teeth but some don't. Observe what's best for you.

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Try out poses and see what looks best.

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Slightly pouting (if you are a girl)might improve your pics.

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Always feel free to experiment.

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Angle your body 45 degrees from the camera and tilt your chin down slightly for a slimming effect. Bend your arms slightly and put your weight on your back leg.
Wear clothes in solid colors and patterns that flatter your body type. This ensures you look put together and gives you confidence in front of the camera.
Feel confident and focus on your best features rather than flaws. Happiness shows in photos, so remind yourself that you are beautiful and unique!
Take lots of photos so you have options to choose the best ones later. Posing for just 1 or 2 shots reduces your chances of getting a great pic.

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