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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why I always look awful in photographs?

135 replies

WillGymForPizza · 18/04/2019 16:23

Just that really.

When I look in the mirror I don't think I look all that bad, but if someone takes a photo of me I can guarantee I will look at hot mess. In fact I don't think there is a single photo of me in existence where I look ok. I have an awful smile, but then if I don't smile and try to go all Victoria Beckham I look miserable and my jaw and cheeks look strange.

Candid photos are even worse. I nearly always seem to be pulling odd strange facial expressions, standing weirdly and my eyes always look small and piggy.

I know it's a first world problem really. But can anyone offer advice on how to look a bit more human in photos?

OP posts:
QuilliamCakespeare · 18/04/2019 16:29

I am the same - massively un-photogenic but passable in the mirror 🤷🏻‍♀️

Iltavilli · 18/04/2019 16:35

No advice here, just a huge sense of familiarity.

Changemynamexchangemyname · 18/04/2019 16:36

Me too! It’s so depressing. I always look slightly deranged.

GunpowderGelatine · 18/04/2019 16:37

Are you me? I feel exactly the same. I'm fugly in photos, but I'm sure I look just fine IRL Confused

Brandnewshit · 18/04/2019 16:38

Yep me too.
Something weird happens when a photo is taken of me.

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 18/04/2019 16:38

Me 5. Apparently it's because we panic when a camera comes out which is no surprise given I look bloody awful in every pic. But I'm told that it is possible to learn to take a good photo, I just have no one to teach me

CupOhTea · 18/04/2019 16:39

I look ok in candid photos but awful in posed. Except some of my wedding photos. The photographer pulled off some sort of sorcery on those Grin.

I’m like chandler from friends. Rigour mortis grin as soon as I see a camera. Dreadful.

Gotakeahike · 18/04/2019 16:40

I’ve come to realize that very photogenic people often practice. I could never figure out why some people I knew in real life always seemed to look much more flattering in selfies and then realized that they often work quite hard at it. And I think people like that end up developing a camera awareness, not unlike professional models. I thinks it’s a learned skill that you can work on if you’re inclined.

ShakeYourTailFeathers · 18/04/2019 16:40

Yeah and me.

To make things worse DH is really photogenic. So he's in a lot of nice pix with Shrek Grin

BobbinThreadbare123 · 18/04/2019 16:40

Same. I'm reasonably slim but always look huge in pics, even when I was a size 6! I can't smile on command and my natural repose face has a 'feck off' vibe. Or, the photographer is at an angle and I have no eyes due to glare on my glasses. My face always looks wonky, or I'm blinking, or I've been caught mid sneeze. However, in the flesh I don't mind myself and I have never had trouble attracting a partner. Ah well. I just avoid photos now.

RuffleCrow · 18/04/2019 16:40

I'm exactly like this - I go full Chandler Bing in every photo without realising it. My brother is the same so I suppose we can blame our parents.

TeaStory · 18/04/2019 16:41

Count me in. I cringe when I see photos of myself appear on social media.

HariboLecter · 18/04/2019 16:43

If I pull a face I look okay stupid, but okay actual posed photos, laugh.

RedRiverShore · 18/04/2019 16:43

I look truly awful in photos, though probably that is the true me.

HariboLecter · 18/04/2019 16:43

Bluegh not laugh.

Shodan · 18/04/2019 16:45

I avoid having my photo taken now if I can, I always look grim in them!

I'm sure I don't look like that irl Grin

One of my best friends booked a photo shoot for me, her and my other friend for my birthday and honestly I could've cried when I saw the pics.(disclaimer : I was Quite Poorly at the time so not feeling terribly chipper anyway). They looked lovely, whereas all I could see was my fat arms and my witch's chin.

Don't get me started on selfies either...

MyNameIsFartacus · 18/04/2019 16:46

I have this, I have come to accept that it's just the way my face looks unfortunately! Like good body, ugly face - I try to play up the other positives about myself - I'm quite a strong person - and be a good person, so that my very mediocre face doesn't matter!

Shufflebumnessie · 18/04/2019 16:49

You're not alone! I look horrendous in just about every photo. Mind you, I can look in the mirror and think I look passable but look again 10 minutes later and I look like I've been dragged through a hedge (even if I've just been sat on the sofa). I blame having children and 7 years off sleep deprivation.

MeOldBamboo · 18/04/2019 16:51

Me too, I’m always pulling a face, gurning or have a double chin on show. I could count the number of photos I actually like on one hand. But it doesn’t bother me, it usually looks like I’m having a good time!

gamerwidow · 18/04/2019 16:53

I look ok in candid pictures but I do not know how to pose for a picture without looking like an idiot. I think it’s the unnatural nature of it.
People who look great in posed pictures tend to a) practise a lot and b) take lots of pictures and cull the bad ones. It makes for really boring pictures because people work out one pose where they look good then do that pose for every single picture.

Kelsoooo · 18/04/2019 16:54

I look like a potato in nearly all pictures of me.

And my arms look huge

Which is really odd because like my legs, my arms are slim and toned.

I've learnt how to pose, DH is a photographer of sorts

But still. I'm not attractive in photos.

supadupapupascupa · 18/04/2019 16:58

Part of why you look so strange is because you see the reverse image in a mirror surely? It's not what anyone else sees or the camera. However..... I'm not photogenic, no matter how hard I try. I have one child who is, another that isn't. I think it's to do with skin quality. I have dry pale skin which in real life is lovely but just doesn't photograph well

TooGood2BeFalse · 18/04/2019 17:01

There is this man at my work.In person, he is your average-looking fellow, not unattractive at all but you might not look twice (unless he has a secret glowing personality I have yet to discoverWink)

He is very much The Face of the company.Whack him in front of the camera and he literally looks stunning.Extremely handsome. It's not make up.I don't get it...

cunningartificer · 18/04/2019 17:02

I always think I look awful in photos, but once saw one of my sister which was really pretty..and then realised it was me. The moment I realised it was me I thought I looked awful. So for me it’s a lot about my (negative) self image, which I’m working on.

It also helps to have someone who can take decent photos to prove you look human when you feel awful. A friend once took a photo of me and dc when I was avoiding photos as I was feeling very postnatally un-glowing and promised it would be flattering—it was and I still treasure it although I know it doesn’t reflect reality!

CaptainMyCaptain · 18/04/2019 17:04

When DH takes a photo of me I look grumpy because he faffs about so much. When 8 year old DGS takes a photo he makes me laugh and I always look much better.