10 Tips on How to Pose for Photos

There are people who are naturals in front of the camera and people who are not. The fear of posing solo without the comfort of a partner or group to hide behind is a hard one to overcome. Confidence is a big part it, obviously, but it helps to know what to do with your assorted limbs. Here is a guide to help you learn to pose and look great in photos. Know Your Angles When taking a full-body pic, have the person taking the photo hold the camera from Beachcamera.com just below eye-level. A pic aimed ever-so-slightly upward makes for long lines—hello, legs! But when posing for portraits, the best angles for your body aren’t always the same for your face. Taking a face shot from above gives the angles of your face more definition. It’s all about finding that sweet spot. Check Your Lighting Always turn your face toward the light, especially if it’s natural sunlight. This brightens your face and makes you glow. This results in your blemishes being blurred away. Relax The best way to look calm, cool and collected in your photos is to actually be calm, cool and collected. Relax your body—your eyes, too. If you’re uptight and stressing, your body is going to emulate that and you’re not going to get the shot. Take Bursts of Photos Most of us aren’t professional models, meaning we don’t always have a fancy camera on deck for our photoshoots. A good alternative is to take “bursts” on your smartphone instead. Simply ask your cameraperson to hold down the button instead of tapping it once. The result is a ton of photos that capture every single little movement you make in front of the camera. Afterward, you can choose the best ones. Demonstrate Good Posture Never, never, never slouch! It makes you look insecure and frumpy, and your belly will not look its best. Always stand up straight. You’ll look confident, happy and all-around more beautiful. Opt for Flattering Outfits One of the most important things to consider before shooting is what you’re going to wear. Some outfits just don’t translate well on camera. Wear colors and styles you know look good in photos. Own Your Good Side Some people are equally beautiful on both sides! But there are tons of us who feel more confident facing one way or the other. So if you got it (on the left, but not so much on the right), flaunt it. Keep It Moving Some of the best poses aren’t really poses at all, but actions caught in the perfect moment. A picture with movement is always more interesting and fun to take…and fun to look at. Take advantage of that and snap in burst mode with your camera from Beachcamera.com. Try Your Tiptoes One of the keys to looking fab in photos is to make yourself appear elongated. You can do this by standing on your tiptoes or by sticking a leg out when taking your full-body picture. Be Conscious of Your Beauty Products Greasy products make for shiny foreheads—and shiny foreheads cause your camera’s flash to bounce off your face instead of lighting it up. This isn’t a huge deal during the day. But if you’re aiming for a night photo op, consider what products you’re using and avoid any you know don’t make you look your best. Whether you’re taking the portrait or posing for it, knowing a few tricks can greatly improve your photographs.