What is the secret of looking good in photographs?

The main things that will help are:-

- Never stand or sit with your body facing the camera - it makes everyone look like the Hulk. Instead turn so your shoulders are at a slight angle to the camera and look back over your shoulder.
- Tilt your head very slightly to one side. Looking dead straight at the camera creates a cross to your features, and emphasises lack of symmetry, only the divinely beautiful can get away with it.
- If it's a full length shot putting one leg in front of the other and raising on your toes slightly (or wearing high heels) will make you look slimmer and more elegant.
- If you're a skinny girl wanting more curves, thrust your hips in one direction and your upper body in the other direction (craeating an elongated S-shape.)
- Suck your stomach in. You see those pictures of the models in magazines looking toned and gorgeoud - they are ALL sucking in their stomachs.
- Smiles should be natural or not at all. Don't force your expressions, think of it as method acting. To make a certain expression look natural you have to summon up the emotion that goes with it. Think of something to make you laugh if you want to look happy. If you want to look intense and sexy you have to pretend there's someone hot in front of you that you're trying to seduce.

Hide behind the tallest person or a tree....LOL!!! Sorry, that's my personal method. If someone really knows, I'd love to read it :-)

My secret is avoiding them all together.

touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth, it tightens your neck and chin area, lift your chin up a bit, smile without showing teeth, and look directly at the camera :)

Photoshop :)


No but really the lighting

being attractive to begin with, they are photographers not miracle workers.

I would say IMHO the 'secret' to all art is a unique point of view and the passion to capture and share it.

If all else fails, get in front of a mirror, and experiment with different poses, directions, head tilts, etc. When you find one you find most flattering to yourself, you may feel silly, but practice snapping to that pose with your eyes closed. Then open your eyes and see how close you got. I say practice because you want it this pose to come to you naturally when someone appears in front of you with a camera.. you don't want to actually LOOK like you're posing.

This is a good question that I wish I knew the answer to.
I know several people including two women in particular who are stunningly beautiful in person but photograph poorly.
I never can figure out why.
They are aware of it too and rarely let themselves be photographed.
Maybe it's lighting or whatever but they just don't photograph well.
In real life they are just gorgeous.

Borrow someone else's pictures

have the camera slightly above your eye level...When the flash goes off it will create a shadow under your chin...that will make you look thinner....then get a person that knows photoshop to add a tan, enhance your eye color & get rid of any unwanted marks...

airbrushing.....

Have the photographer use soft overhead lighting for the shot.

If you've ever seen someone shine a light directly under their chin you'll see the opposite of what I mean. ;)

think of the camera as an old friend and act naturally.
failing that use an airbrush.lol