i am beautiful: how to look great in front of the camera
As you stand in line at the checkout counter, your eyes naturally get drawn to the magazines in the stands. Scanning through the magazines, you may notice that almost everyone there looks absolutely amazing! It must be nice to be born beautiful, right? Then getting in front of a camera would be easy!
Fortunately, for the rest of us, looking great in front of a camera isn’t all about genetics. There are many practical things you can do, both on and off the camera, to make you look good.
As a photographer I am completely aware that, for many people, getting in front of a camera can be a little awkward. And, to be honest, I much prefer at the back of the camera than in front of it! Having said that, because I spend a lot of time behind the lens, I want to share some advice that will help you look great in front of the camera!
study the pros
Ever wonder what models do all day? If you’re like me, you probably have scenes from Zoolander in your head: **blue steel**. The scene, as silly as it is, has some truth to it.
Models, like most business people, are constantly finding ways to make their product more appealing. In their case, their body is their product. They spend time figuring out what colors look great on them. They spend time figuring out which is their best side. They spend time figuring out how to stand/sit/lean so that they always present their good side to the camera. They pour all this effort so that when it comes time for their photo shoot, they will have the key to be really really ridiculously good looking: confidence. Once they have that, they will look ahmaaaaaazing, daaaaahling.
Have a look at some magazines and notice how they stand, how they look, where they look, what they wear and imagine yourself walking down the street, rocking out your fashion collection from your closet. Mimic their poses, practice them, and tell yourself: I am beautiful!
practice on your mirror
Your mirror is your most honest and kindest friend when it comes to looking great in front of a camera. It tells you exactly how you look without being judgmental, so you can spend some time looking at it and trying out different looks. Here’s a quote from a famous (fictional) male model:
If I have a day off I’ll spend four to nine hours in front of the mirror, trying just a tilt of the head or a furrow of my eyelash. I mean my body, my face are my tools. — Derek Zoolander
Okay, you probably really don’t need “four to nine hours” on your day off in front of a mirror, but I believe if you spend some time in front of the mirror, you’re a step further in looking amazing for your photos!
Really important side note: once you discover something that works for you, because a mirror is a reflection of you, you’ll need to flip it! So, if you parted your hair to the left, part it to the right.
get some rest
This is the advice you hear most often on this topic — and for good reason! It’s cheap, it’s easy, and it really does work! Being rested helps:
- your eyes to look better
those dark bags under your eyes either won’t be there, or at least, they won’t be as visible - your skin to look better
by allowing your skin to be rejuvenated and less prone to blemishes, like acne! - your entire body to look better
because you’ll have the energy you need to support your body properly, and you’ll be in a better mood overall
A well-rested person, is a good looking person!
love your photographer
This, of course, is my favorite piece of advice! When selecting a wedding photographer, I advise brides to choose wisely, and choose someone you connect with, because I strongly believe that there needs to be chemistry between you and your photographer. He needs to be someone who can put you at ease and someone that you can have fun with. A good photographer is one that helps you forget that there’s even a camera around.
Your photographer is the first person to ever see the photos from your shoot. He is the one who visualizes them, composes them, and positions you. Trust his creativity and his style and complement it with your personality.
Your personality, of course, is the most important aspect of your photos. Without it, you have simply have people in a frame. With it, you have a captured moment, a locked-in emotion. Love your photographer, and gush with personality, and you will have amazing photos.
Great-looking people aren’t born, they’re made with a little work, a little rest, and a lot of love! Now, repeat after me: “I am beautiful.” Good. Now do something about it!
