Being photogenic is all about working your charisma for the camera. Some have it, and some never will. Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and think you look horrific — while your friend (who you thought was having a just-got-outta-bed-and-looks-like-poop day) looks amazing? If you have, you’re not one of THEM, you’re like me.
There are tons of tips floating around to help those of us that aren’t especially photogenic — like…
Make sure to tilt your head up slightly and position yourself so the camera is at or a little above eye level.
Make sure you have good posture before the shot.
Relax and lean slightly toward the camera for a better angle.
Think happy thoughts and look slightly above the lens to reduce redeye.
Be animated and smile with your eyes.
Of course, people who are more animated with their facial expressions are more photogenic. Still, that whole animated thing can be overdone, and I can prove it.
Have you been behind the lens with one subject in particular that always drives you crazy because they will never, EVAH, just smile and let you take your photo? Well, I don’t care how difficult you think YOUR problem subject is, I promise that my son, Ben, is worse. Times 100. Maybe more. And, he’s had years and years of practice.
Browsing through some old photos this evening, I just can’t seem to figure out where he picked up mugging for the camera…
No amount of head tilting, posture improving or leaning forward could help the way I look in the above photo. I do have “think happy thoughts” mastered though!