Everyone is Photogenic – Tips for Acing Your Next Photo Session
I’m here to tell you that no matter what you’ve heard in your past, EVERYONE IS PHOTOGENIC. Truly. I mean that.
We are so used to seeing ourselves in a mirror, in motion and as a reflected image. Or we see ourselves on selfie mode (also a reflected image) on a wide angle lens held high above our head. Those are all slightly distorted looks. (You’ve probably seen certain mirrors that make you look extra tall or wide. And don’t get me started on that wide angle lens on the fronts of our phones and computers.)
It can be a surprising seeing yourself frozen in a photo taken on a professional camera with a professional lens taken in a way that the background is blurred because of the camera and lens settings.
It is also my job to help you relax during your photo session so that you can shine.
Still, there will be unfortunate moments during every photo session. That even happens to Beyonce.
The magical part is that you’ll never see these moments. I always double click the shutter. It eliminates the eye blinks and a few other mishaps.
In the end, I only deliver the photos where I think you look amazing. And then you get to choose what makes it into your final gallery.
So, with all that being said, I have 7 tips for the subjects of a portrait.
- Stand up straight. Many of us are used to hunching over our phones and computers. All you need to do is roll those shoulders back and down.
- If a limb bends, then bend it. Pop your hip, put your hand on your waist or in your pocket, lean on something. All of it will create more visual interest.
- Tuck your chin and push your forehead towards the camera. Anyone can have a double chin…and everyone can minimize it.
- Look at the top of the lens. Your eyes will open up naturally.
- Keep your hands busy. Hold some books, type on your computer, grab the edge of your jacket, hold a pen or a mug of coffee. The possibilities are endless! (And don’t forget to clean up your nails! Detail shots are always a great enhancement to every branding library. You can’t be in EVERY single photo you post.)
- Come to your session ready to relax and have fun. Get good sleep, drink lots of water, let everything go (even for just a bit.) Come ready to laugh. (We’ll do lots of fake laughs, which tend to turn into real laughter!)
- Breathe. See above. You’ve got to relax. Fake it until you become it.
- Find the right photographer for you. That person will have years of experience and will know how to help you feel more comfortable. She will know how to (un)pose you and find the right light so that you will be delighted with the results and excited to share them with your future clients.
Below, this is a before and after of me during a branding portrait session with Anaeka Photography (because I would NEVER share an unflattering photo of a client). Notice the difference a pose makes? It is so simple, yet easy to forget in the moment. That’s my job as your photographer.
Let’s set up a zero-pressure inquiry call and chat personal and/or commercial branding! (And yes, personal branding is a term used interchangeably with headshots.)
Not the most flattering photo ever taken…- Just needed a little posing guidance and it all looks MUCH better!
