6 Ways to Take a Better Photo

Fashion & Style

kate10

Truth be told: I’m not a photogenic person. I’ve got decades of evidence to support this statement, starting with my very first portrait taken at the hospital. This image marks a phase in my life when I looked exactly like a mini Yoda. Thanks for pointing that out, Mom and Dad. But really, the camera causes my personality to retreat like a turtle hiding in his shell, and I become very, very aware of myself. Now that we’re living in an era where employers will check LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram before the first interview, having a professional headshot is more commonplace than ever. Personal photos are imperative when engaging with others in an online environment, and much to my dismay, the #selfie is here to stay for that reason alone. Because many people find the camera intimidating, I thought I’d share a couple survival tips I’ve acquired from those awkward moments spent in front of the lens.

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1. If possible, only work with a photographer you feel very comfortable with.

A few weeks ago, I agreed to sit in front of the camera for my friend Colleen, a photographer who is interested in portrait photography. She’s an incredibly warm and wonderful person, so once I arrived at her studio I subsequently apologized for the work that was ahead of her. Colleen assured me that feeling uncomfortable was completely normal, and bringing out my personality was her job. And she did just that! Not only did Colleen work her butt off to make me feel comfortable and natural, she captured a different side of myself I hadn’t seen before. In short, working with someone who can coach you through your session changes everything.

2. Take a deep breath and exhale.

This is the best tip I’ve picked up from photographers over the years. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or stiff, take a deep breath through your nose, then exhale through your mouth, letting your shoulders pull away from your neck. This relaxes your face and shoulders, and even helps your eyes engage with the camera in a more natural way. I think Oprah gave this same tip once, but that’s beside the point. It works.

3. Play. Sit. Move. Laugh.

I never know what to do with my hands when taking a photo. They sort of hang awkwardly and that translates into a bizarre-looking facial expression. To combat the “where do I put my hands” conundrum, I do a couple of things. 1. Turn on some music and start moving. I tend to flip and toss my hair a lot in general (a nervous tic), so I’ve coined my go-to move as “The Hair Flop”, which results in photos that start to look more like me. It’s weird, but it works. 2. Sit down and move. Posing in a chair feels more natural for me. I’ve found leaning forward on my elbows and resting my hand on my chin felt somewhat less weird. 3. Think about how you stand naturally when engaging in conversation. For some people, this is crossing their arms, or putting their hands in their pockets. If it feels good, it gives the photographer something to work with, and you don’t feel ridiculous. Smiling and laughing never hurt, but if you feel unnatural doing it, try something else!

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4. Think of those you love.

When you start to get anxious in front of the lens, imagine a person who accepts and loves you for who the person you truly are. When I’m uncomfortable, I think about moments when unconditional love was given despite my quirks and insecurities. It brings subtle emotion to your face, which helps make the portrait a truer, more confident reflection of yourself.

5. After 45 minutes, you’re not going to take a better photo.

Posing for photos is hard work. In fact, it’s deceivingly exhausting, and if you’re still posing for a headshot after 45 minutes, the likelihood of getting the perfect shot is going to decrease significantly. So feel free to tell your photographer to call it quits once you’ve given them enough time to work with what they’ve got to work with. I had a headshot session go more than 3 hours once and no one was happy with anything we captured after the first hour.

6. A friend and a little booze never hurt.

I’m just stating the obvious at this point, but if having your photo taken is uncomfortable, try to make the environment as fun as possible. My bestie Dee (pictured below) is always my cheerleader when it comes to getting outside my comfort zone. Friends like that are the best kind.

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Above all, having your photo taken is uncomfortable, but marking a moment in time with an image is a great way to reflect on phases of your life. I treasure the photos my father took of my mother when they were in college, and even though she is still a little sheepish about them, they’re an incredibly powerful peek into her life. Someday when I’m old and wrinkled, I’ll look at these photos and remember my first year of marriage, the year I left a steady job and started a studio with five other creatives. And that’s pretty cool.

Many thanks for Colleen for taking these photos of me despite my reluctance. You’re awesome.

BY Kate Arends - April 29, 2014

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April 29, 2014 1:35 pm

Great tips, Kate! I feel totally awkward in front of the camera and look like a deer caught in headlights or a complete goober in most candid photos. I absolutely love the first photo of you! So badass!!

April 29, 2014 4:09 pm

Thank you! These are so,so good. I am no stranger to being the awkward , non-photogenic friend in the photo. Those pictures of you are amazing!

Kirsten
April 29, 2014 4:37 pm

Gorgeous. Both you and the photos.

April 29, 2014 5:10 pm

I duno how you say you’re not photogenic! These photos are fantastic! you look so natural!
I get super awkward in front of the camera too, these tips are great. I can attest to working with a photographer you feel comfortable with making a difference, it totally makes me feel more comfortable and when they have great ideas to get you to relax it’s even better!

April 29, 2014 5:54 pm

Agree with the above – you look lovely but more than that, you do look natural and like a Real Person. In the vast and sudden world of social media, it can be discouraging and also disconnecting in a way to see all the perfectly styled images of women and men. Thanks for the advice!

April 29, 2014 6:58 pm

a beauty inside and out. xo

colleen
April 29, 2014 8:04 pm

perfect timing-i’m being photographed tomorrow for my website. Thanks so much xo

April 29, 2014 8:48 pm

Love these photos and your friendship. Reminds me of the relationship I have with mine. Seriously, booze never hurt 😉

Emma S.
April 29, 2014 9:22 pm

Beautiful photos, Kate! You are stunning.

April 30, 2014 8:03 am

These are great tips for anyone who feels awkward in front of the camera. I’m a portrait photographer & use very similar techniques to help my clients relax 🙂

Bee
April 30, 2014 9:24 am

Cheese!! Perfect tips! Pinning.

April 30, 2014 10:19 am

Thank you! It’s not often that bloggers talk about how awkward posing for photographs can be, when I feel like it is part of my daily life!

May 1, 2014 8:45 am

Great post – you look completely natural (a feat in itself since posing for a photo is in itself a totally unnatural thing!) Thank you for the tips. I find Im either always sporting a full on grin or if I attempt not to smile I have resting b*tch face unfortunately…..will try the exhaling etc.

May 2, 2014 12:25 pm

[…] Kate of Wit & Delight schools us on how to take a better photo. […]

[…] Genius tips for being a bit more comfortable in front of the camera. […]

May 4, 2014 5:33 pm

Great tips, and not ones that I’ve heard a million and a half times. You look beautiful in these photos, and your photographer friend is very talented!

May 6, 2014 1:13 pm

Great tips! I always photograph like an alien, so they are very welcome!

Colleen
May 15, 2014 8:50 am

Kate! I just saw that you posted this! Thank you so much for letting me photograph you and for just being an awesome human. xoxo

May 16, 2014 10:44 am

[…] // Outfit pics can be hard work, and Wit & Delight has some great insight on keepin it cool in front of the […]

May 17, 2014 1:10 pm

Great tips, Kate! Thank you. I’m terribly awkward in photos but I know it would be good practice to publish photos of myself every now and then. Hoping to be better about that soon.

May 18, 2014 11:00 am

[…] 6 Ways to Take a Better Photo – Wit & Delight […]

November 25, 2015 11:40 pm

Great tips. Thanks for your sharing about photoghraphy! ^^

March 14, 2016 9:12 pm

Thks for tips. I love B&W portrait pictures. Love it!!!

August 31, 2018 4:26 am

Awesome post! thanks for sharing.

[…] Wit & Delight […]

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