Help me look better in photos please!

[OMGitsnotgood]

I know people who look the same in photos as in real life; some who look better in photos, and others like me who rarely take a good photo. I appreciate most people are critical of pictures of themselves, but even my nearest and dearest will tell you I don’t photograph well. It's become a bit of a family joke! Consequently I shy away from the camera. However, we have several big celebrations and social events coming up where I won’t be able to avoid having my photo taken. Does anyone have any hints and tips for improving the chances of looking halfway decent? I do try to relax and smile naturally but it doesn't make any difference. Any help appreciated! Thanks

Watching with interest, even my DH laughs at my photos

I put on a fake smile because I realised it looks better on me than smiling naturally for some reason. Also wearing lipstick means I don't look washed out. Wear colours that suit you. Good posture is important.

i'm the same. in every family photo I look awful and everyone else looks fine.

sitting / standing straight seems to help but I don't always remember at the right moment.

Same, also a running joke. I look ok in real life but in photos I like deranged, honestly whenever I see a photo someone else has taken I cringe

Perhaps try to be in as many photos as possible?
If you are only in 3 photos, maybe you think you look good in only 1 of them.
But if you are in 15 photos, then you will look good in at least 5 of them!

I'll practise my fake smile - any suggestions on how to make that work please? I would normally be wearing lipstick on those occasions, and I know my colour palette for clothes..It's more my face. I'm no great beauty but not totally unattractive. Just not photogenic at all

That might be worth a try, could backfire though!

Practice with selfies and your partner taking photos. Learn which is your best side.
If you imagine you are standing in a square. Move your feet so they are facing out of the front corner and your body too, then turn your face to the front, to the camera. Much more natural looking than standing straight on.
Practice different smiles, with teeth without teeth showing.

I’ve had to learn the fake smile too, and it works! I used to look dead miserable in photos because when I think I’m smiling, I’m actually not. It took me years to realise that. So when a camera comes out I do the straight posture (no slumping) and I have to consciously stretch my lips and show my teeth, as if I was saying “eeeee”. Sounds awful but it works for me. It’s because my natural smile is more like “resting slightly sad face”.

Practise by taking some selfies. Try different smiles and poses. I am someone who has to take about 50 photos to find one which is passable. There’s someone on Pinterest who does good vs bad photos and the difference is amazing when she just changes something subtle.

I agree that posture is important too.

I wish I knew, there's very few photos of me, I either looked like I've been on the piss or I'm taking part in a gurning competition.
Can't stand having my photo taken.

Check Instagram/ tiktok there's accounts how to pose better. For example Christine buzan

But also remember, some people take bad pictures so it's not always (necessarily) you! Also different camera/ settings take a different picture. But if you know your best side/ good pose you've got a chance at least for a decent one.

Posture as a PP said and also tongue on the roof of your mouth when smiling

I'm alright looking in the flesh, but totally unphotogenic. I wouldn't have had half the sex I've had if I really did look like the photos!

At nearly 50, I have figured out that I have to do a kind of dreamy gaze into the camera when posing... that sounds weird, but don't know how else to describe it. Like a slight unfocussing of the eyes.

Still have to get the whole angles thing worked out but yeah, can recommend the dreamy gaze 😂

My dad likes taking photos on days out done. However he takes everything in landscape mode so everything looks even wider than I should. Also my parents are quite skinny I'm not which also makes me look wider

I love Christine Buzan's Instagram posing tips. Her commentary has such incredible energy and honesty.

Those that say practice with selfies I look terrible in those as well!
I look fine in a mirror. The nicest photos I have of me are when I don't know I'm being photographed. Soon as a camera is there i look all nose and chin 😭