TIPS FOR LOOKING GREAT IN PHOTOS
Graduations, proms, pool parties, family barbecues, weddings … It’s the time of year when get togethers and social events are regular occurrences and that means commemorating these events with photographs. Being photographed can be intimidating business for many of us. Staring down the lens of a camera while trying to strike the most flattering pose isn’t as easy as it sounds. You want to put your best face forward but it doesn’t always work out that way. Fortunately, there are some tips to help you look your best in photos. EverBeautiful.com spoke with Alan Krame, president of Elite Photo & Video Productions, LLC in Boca Raton, Florida. Alan has photographed thousands of people, including the rich and famous and the not-so-much. Here, he shares his tips to help you look great in photographs.
EverBeautiful.com: Is there a way to pose that doesn’t look too, uh, posed?
Alan Krame: One of the first mistakes that people make is that they stand square to the camera. For a more flattering photo, stand at a 45 degree angle to the camera and turn your head towards the camera. This thins you and gives you a better body line.
EB: How do you compose your face so you look your best?
AK: To look your best in photos, you have to know what’s best for you. So you really need to stand in front of the mirror and practice posing. Do you look better with your chin up or with your chin down? Many people think they look better with the chin up. Bringing it down hides the neck a little bit – so here’s a secret … Put your weight on your front foot. Now it almost feels as if you’re leaning towards the camera. Bring your nose and chin up just a little bit. Because your body is leaning in, you can thin your body line a little more. The camera understands the perspective of left and right better than it does forward and back when a person is posing. So by leaning into it a little bit, you’re actually giving yourself a longer tapered line making yourself appear thinner in photos.
EB: Where should you look while being photographed?
AK: Because the cameras today are much smaller than in the old days and most are single lens reflex, look right into the lens if you don’t want to look like you’re looking off into the distance. I always tell people to look at my nose. “It’s my grandfather’s nose. He’s not using it.” If you’re looking at the photographer’s nose, eyes, chin, you’ll look like you’re looking into the camera.
EB: I always blink when I’m being photographed. Any tips for that?
AK: Work with the photographer and let him or her know to tell you when he’s about to take the photo. Then, just before he does, close your eyes, count to three and open your eyes. It’s very hard to blink immediately after closing your eyes.
EB: How should I pose in a group photo?
AK: For a traditional two person pose, stand next to each other at a 45 degree angle so that one person’s left shoulder touches the other person’s right shoulder. Lean towards each other. You should be on the same physical plane. For larger groups, you want to avoid what’s called the police lineup – ten people standing side by side. Instead, create two rows. Use chairs so that some in the group can be seated. Or use a staircase. Try to create two levels. If, for example, you have a group of 20, you want two rows of ten or 12 and 8, with all people standing on an angle with their outside shoulder pointing towards the camera.
EB: Do you have any makeup tips for when you’re the subject of a photograph by a professional photographer?
AK: I suggest a professional makeup artist if you can afford it. You want to look like you, but to achieve that in photos, you’ve got to go a little heavier on the makeup so you don’t look washed out. When the photographer uses flash, it burns through the makeup a little bit. One of the most important things you can wear is the right foundation. You want your skin to look as smooth as possible. Use a quality foundation in the right shade and a translucent pressed powder to eliminate shine on forehead, tip of nose, chin and cheeks.
EB: Is it important to know your “best side?”
AK: Almost everyone has one eye that’s bigger than the other. That’s a common complaint so, again, know your own face. If, for example, one eye is bigger than the other, put the smaller eye closer to the camera. The perspective will make your eyes look even in photos.
EB: Are there clothing colors or patterns to avoid?
AK: Yes, avoid sparkly things or beads by your neck or chest. When the flash reflects those things, you end up with white spots on your face. Bright colors will actually cast a hue to your face. For example, bright red will cast a red hue and make you look a little redder. Bright primary colors will also change skin tone. Black and white are classic because they don’t change your skin tone. When it comes to patterns, keep it simple.
EB: Where should the light be for the most flattering photo?
AK: A professional photographer will obviously know how to light his or her subjects for the most flattering photograph. But if you’re taking pictures with a group of friends, the photographer should always use a flash. There’s no such thing as a picture without flash. It evens out shadows. The sun will make you look like a raccon when it casts shadows. A flash will even out those shadows. The best thing you can always do is be in shade – of a building, a tree. If the sun is behind the photographer, the subject will squint. If it’s high in the sky, it will cast unflattering shadows. As a professional photographer, I look for even lighting. As pros we hold up big reflectors to get the subject in the shade to even out the lighting. So, even if you can’t get your whole body in the shade, at least get your face in shadow.
EB: Is it important to consider the background?
AK: Yes, and again, keep it simple. If the background is busy it’s going to detract from the people. Another good tip, stand square to the background, parallel to the wall. For group photos, everyone should be in front of the same background, if possible. The photographer should keep in mind that the best thing you can do is keep the subject at least six feet from the background. Flash will throw a shadow so if you’re directly in front of a wall, there will be a shadow behind you. You can’t make a shadow go away, but you can control where it falls. When you throw a light you cast a shadow. It’s basic physics. So by keeping people six feet away from the wall, the shadow will fall on the floor, rather than behind them.
EB: Any other tips?
AK: The person taking the picture will get better results when you move quickly and you’re friendly. Attitude counts. If you have the right attitude, people will respond in kind and you’ll get a better picture. If you take too long, people will get bored. The person taking the picture has the responsibility to have the right attitude to keep people smiling and happy. As for the subject, think happy thoughts. That’s good advice in pictures and in life.
About Alan Krame
Alan Krame owned and operated an acclaimed New York based studio for over 25 years which specialized in weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, corporate events, commercial photography, family portraits and head shots. While living in New York, Alan was the photographer for the Nassau County Police Department Police Benevolent Association and in this capacity had the opportunity to work with many well known dignitaries, including several mayors of New York City. Alan has also photographed and traveled with a number of celebrities including Sophia Lauren. To learn more about Elite Photo & Video or to book Alan Krame, visit his website: http://www.events2photograph.com, email him at elitephotopro@aol.com or call him at 561-998-6058.
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