How to Smile Naturally for Photos
If you’re like most people, you probably feel a little self conscious when someone takes your picture. Feeling awkward makes your smile come out looking a little bit forced, which only makes you more self conscious the next time someone picks up a camera.
A bright, confident smile is possibly the most attractive thing you can wear.
Smiling naturally in pictures makes you look more photogenic, shows off your best features, and results in a photo that makes people feel great when they see it.
Stop cheesing and start smiling like you mean it with these easy tips.
1: Relax
Have you ever noticed that candid photos often come out far better than posed pictures? That’s because the subjects of those candid photos aren’t thinking about the camera, their posture, whether or not their forehead looks shiny, etc.
In other words, those great pictures are people who are relaxed and in the moment.
You can channel that same carefree attitude by thinking less about the camera pointing in your direction and more about the things that naturally make you smile.
Feeling nervous? Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes for a couple of seconds, and refocus. If you’re at an event (like a wedding) that’s inherently happy, be present and think about how much you’re enjoying yourself. If that’s not an option, remember a time when you laughed until your stomach hurt, and let that big, natural smile shine through.
2: Practice
People who have their photos taken regularly (models, celebrities, people with photographer friends) find that practicing their smile ahead of time is helpful.
Smile in mirrors, and when you find the smile that looks most natural, take note of how it feels on your face. The more often you practice consciously, the easier it will be to get that same smile back when you’re not looking in a mirror.
Sometimes, it’s easy to smile too hard for a picture. A little bit of practice makes it easier to strike a natural pose.
3: Think Happy Thoughts
It’s a lot easier to smile when you have a reason, isn’t it?
Fortunately, you’ve had lots of reasons to smile in your life! Think back to a time you laughed until your sides hurt, or remember a meaningful moment like your wedding day, and let that genuine emotion shine through.
Remembering a smile-inducing moment might even be better than laughing at something in the moment.
Laughing feels great, and you should do lots of it. In pictures, though, it’s hard to get a good shot when you’re in the middle of a laugh. Rather than a bright, friendly smile, your face will be a little stretched.
By thinking back to a pleasant memory, you can bring up your best, most genuine smile in a much softer way.
4: The Look Back Trick
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to hold a smile while the photographer gets ready to take the picture? That’s part of the reason that old photos always looks so serious – it’s really hard to keep a smile on your face for more than a few seconds.
If you feel awkward, you look awkward. Staring at the camera waiting for the shutter to click is about as awkward as it gets, so try this instead.
First, look down at the ground or off to the side where you can’t see the camera.
Think about something other than the photo. Ask the photographer to signal you when they’re about to take the picture.
Just before the photo is taken, look up at the camera and smile like you’re greeting a friend. You might also find it useful to imagine you’re shaking someone’s hand as you meet them for the first time.
By doing this, you take the pressure off, and you don’t have to hold your smile for very long at all. It takes a few tries to get the timing just right, but once you do, the final shots look much more natural and comfortable.
The most important thing about posing for photos is that you’re comfortable in your own skin. Even if your smile’s not perfect, your skin isn’t as clear as you’d like, or you aren’t thrilled with your shape, you can still share some joy with a big, happy smile. There’s a lot to smile about!
