Say cheese! Picture the scene: your coworker thinks it would be a fantastic idea to capture a group photo of you and your colleagues during an exciting work event. Your reaction could go in either one out of two ways: excited to participate, or hesitant to be photographed for a variety of justifiable reasons. You might not feel your hair looks its best during that precise moment, or you dislike having your photo taken because you can’t seem to take a decent picture to save your life. Some people are simply more photogenic than others, but what’s their secret? Is it because they’re more attractive than you? If that’s the case, then why is it that Bill from Accounting, who you know is objectively not more handsome than you, always looks like a stud in company photos, while you can’t help but notice that your eyes are closed every time your picture is featured in the company newsletter because you blinked mid-shot despite your most sincere efforts not to?
If you consider yourself unphotogenic or feel anxious about having your picture taken, the idea of getting professional headshots may seem daunting. In today’s digital age, however, headshots are an inevitable must, especially if you’re an NYC-based professional. Luckily, not all hope is lost if you fall under the unphotogenic category. There are plenty of tips and tricks out there to make you look stunning in your headshot or professional photos in general, which will give you newfound confidence (and better corporate photos for the company newsletter). The truth is, unless you’ve conducted plenty of research on how to appear more photogenic in pictures, or on the off chance that you attended a professional modeling agency at some point in your life, these tips and tricks probably wouldn’t have come to you naturally, so don’t be too critical of yourself.
Without further ado, here are a few ways you can drastically improve your photogenic game in time for your next headshot session, or for whenever the next corporate event arises where the cameras will be flashing.
- Find Your Most Flattering Angle
Ah, the angles. Yes, some folks are quite dramatic with their angles, and in pictures, they look nothing like they do in person. However, finding your most flattering angle isn’t a means to deceive; it is simply to put you in your best light. Most people do not have symmetrical faces, making it important for you to find “your good side.” You can experiment by taking selfies to see if you look better from your left or right side. Don’t forget to tilt and turn your head to see which direction your face looks best. Perhaps you look the most flattering on the left side with your head tilted upward. Experiment!
- Smile with Your Eyes
A forced smile can create an uncomfortable and awkward appearance in photos, which is certainly not the desired result. Instead, try smiling with your eyes. After all, your eyes are the windows to your soul, and recalling a joyful memory can lead to a genuine and captivating smile through them.
- Listen to the Directions of a Professional Photographer
If you’re having trouble looking photogenic, your headshots photographer in New York City can guide you on head positioning, smiling, projecting professionalism, and much more. Photographers know how to capture your best angles in your best light, which can ease the anxiety of being photographed. Your NYC photographer will capture numerous shots of you throughout your session, allowing you to select your favorites.
- Be Authentic
Embracing authenticity in your photography enhances its value for both you and your viewers, as it allows them to truly see the real you. By being natural, any camera-shyness will be sure to disappear. Have you ever noticed that some of the best photos are candid ones? This is because it captures people during their most sincere moments.
- Focus on Posture and Pose
There are many ways to focus on your posture and pose to improve your photos. You can:
- Use your hands. Feel free to place one on your hip to portray confidence, or place one hand behind your head.
- Lean your shoulders back to exude a relaxed, laid-back state.
- Shift one of your shoulders to the right or left while standing in a half-turn.
- Play with your hair to portray nonchalance and poise.
- Incorporate a prop that highlights one of your essential work tools. For example, a doctor could be touching or holding their stethoscope while an IT professional could be photographed typing code onto their computer.
- Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back for a polished look.
- Smile Like You Mean It
Practice by smiling in the mirror until you’ve gained the muscle memory to replicate it in photographs. When you feel assured about your smile, it will shine through in your photos, resulting in images that look significantly more captivating.
With these tips and tricks to become more photogenic and confident in your professional photographs and headshots, you’ll be unstoppable. Enhancing your photography will not only elevate your online branding and business but will also significantly boost your self-esteem!
