How to Look Perfect in Every Photo

In the day of selfies and social media, taking awesome pictures is an absolute must! We put together 14 tips to make sure you look your best in every photo. From knowing your good angle to strategically placing the camera, these tips will without a doubt change the way you pose for photos. We promise after you nail these photogenic tricks you'll never take an unflattering photo again.

To the Left 
Most people know their “good side”, but according to a scientific study usually the left side of the face is more attractive. Whichever side is your best, fight your way into posing from your good side so that it’s the side facing towards the camera.

Body Shrinking Trick
Never be the one to stand the closest to the camera, or you’ll look disproportionately larger. Instead, position yourself on an even plane with the other people in the photo because whatever is closest to the camera always seems bigger. Along the same lines, if you lean into the camera and stick your head out forward and tilting down a little bit, your head will look bigger, giving you the optical illusion of a smaller body. Also try cocking one hip away from the camera.

Look Taller
Take full-length photos from a lower angle to visually stretch your figure, making you look taller and leaner.

Don’t Take this Head On
Turning your head slightly is more flattering than facing the camera straight on because it will give your features more depth. Remember it’s all about angles. Never stand facing the camera, but position your body to one side or the other and even cross one of your legs or bend one of them to break up the shape.

Smile with Your Eyes
Try smiling without moving any muscle in your eyes—it feels fake, flat, and boring. Now try smiling just with your eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. Even when you don't smile with your mouth, but just with your eyes, you can take a good picture. Now smile with your eyes and your mouth. Voila—beautiful!

Stick your Neck Out
Push your face forward ever so slightly. It makes your face look thinner and hides any sign of a double chin.
 
Cheerleader Pose
Everyone in America has gotten the memo that the cheerleader, hand-on-hip pose will make your arms look more toned, but they often miss a key point: You have to put one arm on your hip but then angle it BACK so that your elbow is facing behind you. This angle makes your pose look more natural, but you still get that same toned effect.

Go Natural
Hair that moves in the breeze, or when it’s tossed comes across as sexier on film, so take it easy on the styling products. You don't want your do to look stiff or crunchy.

Play Up your Brows
Not only do your eyebrows convey character and emotion, they often mean all the difference between looking wide awake and washed out on camera. Darkening them by one shade with a pencil or powder will frame your face and balance out your makeup. 

Avoid the Spotlight
Avoid standing directly under a light, which can cast weird shadows on your face. Instead, stand facing a natural light source, such as a window, or in a spot where soft light hits your face from the side.  

Blush is a Must
Without some color on your cheeks, your face can look two dimensional in photos. Use a medium pink shade on the apples of your cheeks to help shape your face.

Pucker Up
Avoid nudes, which can wash you out once the flash hits, and bright colors, which often come across as harsh. A berry lip color with a hint of sheen flatters everyone.

Say Cheese…NOT
Swap out the traditional “Cheese” for the word “Money” right before you hear the shutter click. The strong e sound makes the corners of your mouth go up, and the crinkles around your eyes make it look like a genuine smile.

Let the Camera do the Work
A good one doesn't have to be complicated. It takes great pictures and doesn't require expertise. With these tips, you’re ready to start posing and snapping your way to perfect photos every time!