If you recently asked for tips on posing for photos, this post is for you.
Since I was already dressed to take my mother to the dermatologist today, I thought I would share yet another monochromatic tee and jeans outfit. The navy tee is here. The dark-wash jeans are almost sold out here but these are similar. The shoes are here. The belt is here. The bag is over five years old and is from Kate Spade, New York.
A straight-on stance with no angles in your body is rarely a good pose, but we often resort to it when there are family photos or one with the gals. Create more flattering angles by resting a hand on your hip or thigh and placing your feet at angles instead of side by side. Know your best side and make sure you present it for photos. My best angle is straight ahead, so even if my body is angled away from the camera, I will turn from the waist to face the camera straight on.
Your best light is consistently low on the horizon and in front of you. Overhead lights or noonday sun will focus on the uneven textures and create shadows on your face. A soft, relaxed smile and open gaze will always look more natural. A forced big smile always looks fake.
When I’ve worked with inexperienced models, the first question is, “What do I do with my hands?” Do what feels natural to you. Rest your hand on an object nearby, put one hand slightly inside a pocket, or touch your fingers together in front of you below your waistline.
Bend one knee to point the toe and rest your hand on your thigh. Use space between your feet and at your sides to create angles.
Noses, hands, knees, busts—whatever is closest to the camera will look more prominent. So back up about six to eight feet from the photographer and point one toe toward the camera to look longer and leaner. The camera should be about heart-high. If the camera is positioned too high, your legs will appear shorter in the photo because the angle distorts the perspective, making your lower body seem further away, visually shrinking your leg length.
When seated for a photo, avoid crossing your legs at the knee. Instead, cross your ankles with your knees together. Rest your hands in your lap and keep your spine straight.
Good tips! Just wondering if you have ever taken a “selfie”? Seems none but the very young and beautiful can pull that off. You, by the way, look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
All of the closeup photos on the blog site, as well as most of the outfit photos, are selfies. I use my cell phone to take portraits and a tripod and timer on my camera to take almost all the outfit photos.
Hi Susan thank you for the wonderful tips. I have not ever looked good in a photo so never been comfortable being in one. If I can I avoid being photographed. How can I pose so as to not look oversize and show my tummy? However I think I need to try your tips out and see how it goes. Inspiration is the word for your blog I love reading them.
God Bless
ELIZABETH SA
Thank you, Elizabeth. Keep your hands closer to your waist to make your tummy less obvious. Cover your waist with your arm when you turn to a 90° angle. Share your beautiful smile, which, I’m sure, will be the focus.
Love this post! I think this is one of your most informative. The pictures are very helpful. Thank you for helping us project our best self in photos!
You are so photogenic and this is great info to have. Maybe I’ll finally get a few good photos in the album thank you! I had to chuckle when I saw first photo – you have such a sense of humor!
And that’s why you always look great in all your photos. In this post, and many others of course, your hairstyle is perfect, your smile is magnificent, your eyes… I love the charm you have Susan.
A very interesting post.
I always wonder how to stand when somebody takes a photo of me.
And I’m a zero for selfies 😉 !
Susan, I love these. My favorite is the one with your foot on the wall. My photography was selected in a monthly theme for a gallery. My friend took a photo of me in front of my art. I turned a little sideways.
It enlarged my already huge top and I have one arm that’s looks twice as long as the other.
I’m saving these tips.
Thank you Susan I most surely will try this pose.
God Bless
ELIZABETH SA
Susan, I love these. Thank you so much.
Thanks Susan! Great information.
Some really good tips. I just hope I remember this when pictures are taken.
GREAT POST WITH WONDERFUL, PRACTICAL, AND EASY TIPS. THANKS! AND YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND STRIKING IN THESE PHOTOS!
Thank you for these great tips, you look smashing!
Thank you! Great ideas!
Susan these are great tips thank you! Can I ask another question please …. You are tall enough and slim enough to tuck on your blouse/shirt/top into your jeans or skirt. Do you have any tips for those of us who don’t have such good figures or thick waists! thank you’
Consider that a top landing just beneath the broadest part is always more flattering than a long one that might hug under the tummy (or hips) and draw more attention to them rather than hiding.
Great tips!! You look amazing! Not a day over 45!!
Susan, I was one of the subscribers who requested tips on how to pose for photos. Thank you so much for this very informative post! Now I, like other readers mentioned, need to remember them when having my picture taken!
Thanks again for the great information! And by the way, that square neckline is very flattering on you.
Thank you Susan. You just get better and better. Your hair looks great. I tried to grow my hair out but I could not control it. I ended up cutting it but have not found a good style in the shorter look yet.
Thank you for your wonderful post! My husband and I are leaving for Europe tomorrow and I will certainly put your tips to use!
Your tips are so very helpful – thank you!
Ooh, what a fun post! I love these tips. Too often I have seen a photo of myself and thought, I should have done this or that. But! I didn’t have specific suggestions on the ‘how to.’ Now I do!
May I say, from having been in photos with you, the camera loves you. You are so beautiful and photogenic, but you also radiate a special aura of confidence and class. It all shines through in your photos.
Thank you for your always kind comments, sweet friend.
Wonderful photo pointers. Thank you for those poses that enhance.
Now i’ll have to get someone to take my picture using your suggestions. Maybe it will make me look better. L O L.
Great tip
Very good tips. I should always stand rather than sit for photos. I forget till I see what a lump I look like seated but I remember after I see the picture.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s always so tricky getting a good
photo. Great tips. You look stunning, as usual.
Great tips. Thank you for sharing Susan. I always learn something from your posts.
Love your suggestions and tips!
‘Confidence is our best accessory!’ – very well said.
Excellent thank you. Now I am a grandmother I am put in more photos and have found it a bit confronting. Happily eye s are always on the baby but I’d like to feel less worried I am looking uncomfortable.
Thank you!
Carolyn
Beautiful! I love all your post and learn quite a bit on fashion and how to pose for photos,.
Oh and love your hair. I’m trying to transition into my grey . Hard to do.
HELP, Susan.
I bought a suede look chocolate deep pair of slouchy boots at Banana Republic Factory. They’re mid calf. I purchased a gorgeous blazer today to go with them in a plaid. I was going to buy a chocolate brown midi pencil skirt, but then I had a thought. Is a pencil skirt too refined for slouchy boots? I don’t know what to wear these boots with. Any suggestions? Deep brown is one of my colors and after several years of not finding that color, it’s “in” this fall. I’ve been getting everything I can in it to fill in my wardrobe.
I too love the chocolate brown that is finally popular. The slouchy boots will look good with straight jeans or then pencil skirt. Buy some brown tights so that you can continue the visual line. The plaid blazer will be great with anything!
Hi Susan,
Excellent suggestions, you are a natural in front of a camera. I’m sure this took some practice right? Looking so great and beautiful like you do does not happen over night. At one point in our life we all looked at some of our pics like the one you shared with the “X” in our lives. I was never taught how to stand when I was a young little girl maybe that is why I looked so awkward. I still do not stand in that cool, calm and natural vibe like you. Your next rewiring is opening up time slots for young ladies that want to enter beauty or acting positions.
You look so pretty taking your mother to her dermatologist appointment. Your parents raised and brought into this world a unique and special child that turned into “our dream daughter.” You are a gem.
Thanks so much for the lovely comments, Katherine. My mother will enjoy reading it!
Thank you, Susan. Wearing skirts and boots is new to me. I would not have been confident wearing the pencil midi skirt with these boots without your blessing. Now I’m excited! And I already had the brown tights from everything you’ve taught me. Bless you, Susan, for all the teaching. Have a nice weekend!
Thank you for sharing these very helpful tips!
Excellent tips. I saved this article to my Pinterest account so that I can reference it anytime I want to.
I hope you and your loved ones are safe from the flooding. Thinking of and praying for all of those impacted.
We are safe and well, thank you for your concern.
I hope you are safe following the hurricane, Susan. I read that Johnson City suffered damage from flooding.
I hope you continue to be safe and comfortable, seeing so much damage in your beautiful area and all the places you visit.
The devastation is heart breaking.
It is indeed shocking and heartbreaking. Thankfully, we are safe.
Thinking of you. Asheville, Biltmore, and Johnson city too.
Thank you. We are supposed to have even more rain for the next few days.
Thank you, Susan—great tips!
I hope you are safe from the storm. I am thinking of you.
Thanks for checking on us. We are safe.
Y’ou have been on my mind as I’m seeing all the devastation on TV. It’s a relief to read in the comments that y’all are safe. Continuing prayers for all affected.
Thank you for your kindness.
Thinking of you during the storm and terrible flooding in Tennessee and the Carolinas. Please let all your readers know you are safe.
We are safe. Thank you for checking on us.
Susan, I’m hoping that you and your family is safe after the storm. I’ve watched with sadness the destruction in Asheville. My prayers go out to you.
We are safe and well. My heart breaks for the people affected by the devastation. Thanks for checking on us.
Good to hear everyone is safe. I noticed where the hurricane was going.
I sure hope you guys are ok and have not been affected by flooding
Dear Susan
Thinking of you and hoping all is well after the horrific storm. I don’t know if it came close to your lovely home, but wishing you safety and prayers for all.
Sincerely
Jana
We are safe, Jana. Thank you for checking on us.
Great ideas. Most helpful
If your hands and arms show age (spots, veins, creppy skin). It’s not flattering to roll our sleeves up.
Personally I newer wear sleeveless, short or cap tshirts or blouses. In my opinion Cap sleeves are not flattering on anyone.