Are there any tricks to becoming more photogenic?

Question

I don't photograph well. I feel self-conscious about posing, and I don't like my smile, so I dread having my picture taken. The "dread" shows up in the finished product. Even in a setting in which I'm more relaxed--at a party, let's say, when I've had a couple of cocktails--I still look less attractive in pictures than in person.

Aside from working with a good photographer and maybe getting some dental work done, are there any tricks to looking better in pictures?

Answer 1

what about just a little smile with your mouth closed? like kinda just half smile with one side of your mouth, that might look kinda s**y...

Answer 2

There are two important things you can do.

1) Get as much face time as you can in front of different photographers

2) Have a good MUA work on you before you shoot ... and maybe a stylist for a edgy look

Then have have fun

Answer 3

not really. take lots of pictures will help.

Answer 4

Step 1

If you are standing - turn slightly and rest your weight on one foot. It may FEEL goofy, but you WILL look better. Look at all the Paris Hilton pics and you will see that.

If you are sitting – angle to one side or the other.

Step 2

Lean slightly toward the camera – Leaning slightly toward the camera adds interest, dimension, and a natural look to a photo. Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin and also to prevent the camera from getting a view right up your nostrils.

Step 3

Models are taught to change state by developing a ‘trigger.’ So when they are about to have their picture taken, even if they are in a crummy mood, they can go from level 1 to level 5 in a heart beat. Firing a trigger is a reminder to do the things that make you look good. Believe it or not, THE most successful trigger we found over the years was called the ‘rear cheek squeeze.’ It’s really cool because it’s inconspicuous. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like; you squeeze the cheeks of your rear end together. Don’t make fun of it until you try it. To see it’s effectiveness try this experiment. Ask someone to sit on a chair and then ask them to squeeze their cheeks together. I have not met ONE person who doesn’t immediately smile and say something like, okay, now what?

Step 4

Learn to ¾ smile – People just don’t like pictures of themselves with huge smiles. Smiling too big exposes gums and causes your eyes to turn into slits.

Step 5

Never look directly at the lens – ALWAYS, look slightly ABOVE the lens.