The reason you don’t like photos taken of you may be because you don’t think you’re photogenic. I’m not about to tell you that it isn’t true, but I will tell you that you (and everyone else) can look great in photos too!
WE ARE NOT ALL PHOTOGENIC
Photogenic people simply look great from almost any angle. That isn’t even to say that they were born that way. The top models, for example, will practice in front of a camera or mirror to always make sure that they look their best by making sure that their best angles are always in view. Finding the right angles can be a difficult job.
One of the reasons I’m writing this is because women tell me they’re not photogenic or good looking enough. They will often compare themselves to other women I’ve photographed. I always have to tell them that many of the women I’ve photographed either aren’t models or just started out. At the same time these same women believe a photo session shouldn’t last too long…which I don’t really understand. The truth is that it takes quite some time and effort to find the angles and bring out the personality of someone who isn’t well practiced.
KNOWING YOURSELF
As I just alluded to, you can look in front of the mirror and figure out what your best angles are. You’ll find the best angles through experimentation, but a quick Google search can give you some of the typical posing tips. They can even be as complex as tucking one knee behind the other, pointing your front toes, dipping your chin into your shoulder, raising your closest eyebrow, giving a hint of a smile, slightly closing your eyes, relaxing your mouth, pulling your hand through your hair, pushing out your hips, and straightening your back.
Well…that’s one scenario anyway.
There are endless permutations and a lot of it will have to do with your personality and what naturally looks good for your look. I told you it wasn’t easy! Finding your best looks can be hard especially if you only have a single mirror. You can always have a friend watch as you shift from pose to pose as well.
YOU CAN BE PHOTOGRAPHED
The purpose of this article wasn’t to teach you how to be photogenic, but to tell you (from the experience of a professional) that you (and anyone else) can look good in photos. It doesn’t matter what your face or body shape look like. Anyone can be captured on camera. You just need the right angle so practice, practice, practice!
Jonathan How is the photographer behind Made by Ten and calls Milton his home. He specializes in creating beautiful, creative portraits of real women. He uses photography (and this blog) to help them build confidence and love for themselves and creates artistic images for their homes and offices. You can see him driving around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada from portrait to fashion shoot and back again.