Tips for a more flattering photo:
- Avoid a double chin by elongating your neck and pushing your face forward (think of sticking your forehead out and tipping your chin down). Most people have the instinct to tilt their chin up to hide a double chin, however this will angle your face in a way that makes the camera look right up your nose and it will flatten your jawline.
- Turn your shoulders so you are slightly angled towards the camera. The shoulders are the widest part of the body and shooting at an angle, rather than square on is more flattering.
- Lean toward the camera by elongating and SLIGHTLY bending forward at the waist. This will minimize and flatter the upper body and chin area.
- Keep your feet close together. Point your foot that is closest to the camera towards the camera, and shift your weight to the back hip. This will help put your knees hips and shoulders at a flattering angle.
- Put the majority of your body weight on one foot, this will simulate an hour glass figure.
- If it bends, bend it. Straight arms and legs look stiff and unflattering. To look more relaxed, try bending arms slightly at the elbow, tilting the head slightly, leaning slightly forward at the waist, relaxing the fingers, with a slight bend in the knees.
- Keep arms away from the body. By moving your arm away from your body you’re creating what is called “negative space” around your torso. Arms flat against the body will make the entire torso look wider and flatten out the muscles in your arms making your arms appear wider.
- Avoid symmetrical arms and legs, this will shape more flattering body lines.
- When you smile, lift the tip of your tongue against up behind your front teeth, and don't stiffen your cheeks, this will help you have a more natural smile.
- Avoid standing directly under a light, which can cast shadows on your face. Instead, stand facing a natural light source, such as a window, or in a spot where soft light hits your face from the side.
- It isn't as imperative that men be shot at an angle, shooting from straight on can enhance and broaden the shoulders/chest. Arms against the body can also help flatten them out, making them appear broader.
- Good posture is crucial. Put your shoulders back, chest up and hold your abdomen in tight.
- If you have a belly, avoid turning or angling yourself too much to one side.
- Project your chin and jawline toward the camera. Think of leaning in toward the camera and pushing your neck forward slightly.
- If you have thinning hair or are completely bald, avoid having a light source directly behind you.
- To accentuate the jawline and make it look more pronounced, bite down just a bit (but don't overdo it!)
- Stand with your feet apart, and keep your hands in a slight, loose fist.
- Bend your knees slightly and distrubute your weight evenly.
- Don't stiffen your cheeks when you smile, and don't say cheese! If you must SAY something, try saying words that end in an "uh" sound like "Grandpa" "Mocha" "Yoga" to help bring the corners of your mouth up naturally.
- Pay attention to the details! Tuck in your shirt and straighten your tie.
- Avoid putting your hands on your hips, as this can be a very feminine looking pose. If you don't know what else to do your hands, loosely in the pockets is a great, classic pose.
- Schedule a time when your kids aren't going to be hungry or tired.
- Bring some favorites to the shoot: toys, snacks, or even people to help being out those smiles.
- Make sure their clothing is comfortable, with no itchy tags.
- Plan incentives and communicate them in advance to the kids. Knowing that there is a reward for completing the shoot can convince kids its worthwhile to cooperate!
- Be on time, or come early. This will help ensure that you have a few minutes for your child to get comfortable with your photographer.
- Stay out of your photographers way. Let your photographer call the shots and direct your little ones. Your job as a parent & subject is to look at the camera and be ready for the moment the photographer has your little one smiling. Let your photographer take charge!
- Don't stand to the side of your photographer and call out to your little ones to coax a smile. Their line of sight will be off camera. If you must stand somewhere close by, stand behind and level with the camera.
- When holding a child in your arms, be mindful of clothing getting bunched up, and leaning back or forward too far.
- Don't line your heads up in a row. Vary the "levels of heads" within the portrait, by having adults kneeling/sitting and choosing which children will stand.
- Keep in mind the classic pyramid pose when positioning yourselves. Form around the loose shape of a pyramid, with more faces towards the bottom.
- Don't be afraid to get close. In normal interactions a bit of personal space goes a long way, however translated to a photograph, that bit of personal space can make you look miles apart and disconnected. Lean in close together!