How to look good in Photos: Your guide for Nailing this year’s family photos
The Brownfield Family | French Park, Cincinnati | Maternity Photographer
I get it, believe me. As someone who always thinks they look terrible in photos, I drag my feet when it comes to getting them taken. (Yes, I know I’m a photographer. That's why I’m much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it.) I hear it from so many of my clients “We’ve hated all of our photos in the past”, “We’re super awkward- good luck!’, “Can you get rid of my bonus chin?” Here’s the thing, first of all, no one is as judgmental of you as you are of yourself. I promise. Second of all, your family and friends don’t care about how you look in photos. One day, when you're gone, all they’ll care about is that they have pictures of you to look back on (speaking of which, PRINT YOUR PHOTOS. A blog post for another day.) And finally, there a some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way as a photographer that can help you go into your session with confidence, even if the thought of photos makes you sweaty.
Clothing Matters
Your family’s styling plays a huge role in what your final images look like. I always suggest earth tones and more neutral colors (think brown, olive green, burnt orange, rust, cream) and, if you’re someone who really gravitates toward bold colors choose jewel tones over pastels or neon. Also, coordination is key! Choose three to four colors (yes- white, black, denim and khaki all count as colors) and incorporate them throughout everyone’s outfit. Everyone doesn’t have to wear every color, but there should be 1-2 elements of each. The trick here is to make sure everyone ‘goes’ together, not that you all match. I also love a good pattern, but unless you’re a master at mixing patterns, experiment with just one, or try incorporating different textures, instead.
My other key piece of advice when it comes to clothing? Be comfortable. If you never wear a dress and heels, don’t wear them to your session. You won’t feel comfortable, and your photos won’t look like you. If you do wear dresses, great! But wear something that flows and moves- I’m going to make you bend and move around so you want to choose something that allows you to do that comfortably.
See how they’re both wearing earth tones? They don’t ‘match’, but they’re coordinated and their clothing doesn’t compete with the environment- or them!
Angles Matter, Too
As your photographer, it’s my job to make sure I’m featuring you from the most flattering angles, and I will- but I have a few tricks you can use, too! First of all, a big reason my client’s smiles always look relaxed and natural, is because they are. I rarely pose my families, ask them to look at the camera, and say ‘cheese’ unless they’ve asked for a token Holiday Card photo. But, if you DO want that photo, smile with your tongue touching the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth. It looks the most natural, promise. My second trick? Slightly point your chin at whoever you’re looking at (your partner, your kid, the camera) to avoid any double chin action in your images.
Another trick for looking natural and relaxed in your family photos? Keep your hands busy- put them on a hip, on a bump, in a pocket, on a person, it doesn’t matter, just don’t let them hang out lifelessly on your sides. I only have a few rules for my sessions, and this is one of them- make sure you’re always touching at least one other person. The second is to stand close together… and then get closer. My final rule? It’s cheesy, but it works. Just have fun. Happy people are the prettiest people.
Honestly, that's about all it takes. Your photographer should be able to take care of the rest.
Can you believe when this gorgeous mama first reached out, she said the she and her husband were hesitant to hire a professional maternity photographer? She told me that they’d had a really bad experience with their wedding photographer and that they didn’t print a single picture because they hated them so much (this makes me so sad for so many reasons). She also told me that they weren’t very comfortable getting their pictures taken and that I’d need to tell them what to do. And I did, but, to be honest, a few minutes in, they were at ease and having fun, so I didn’t have to do a whole lot other than put them in the right light and give them a few simple prompts. (Want to know how we captured that amazing smile in the first photo above? It’s my secret, and I’ll never tell. Unless you hire me, in which case- sexy pizza toppings.) Anyway, I’m pleased to report that this reticent couple love their photos, and I can’t wait to see them and their new addition again in November :)
