Having your portrait taken can be very intimidating especially if you don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. That’s one of the many reasons it’s so important to hire a professional photographer and a professional you feel comfortable with. But for those situations where you don’t get to know your photographer ahead of time, there are some things you can do to help you feel more confident when having your portrait taken.

Dress to Impress
What you wear and how you dress can have a big impact on not only how you look but how you feel about yourself. The cut and color of the clothing you wear can say a lot about yourself and it can highlight your best assets. Clothes that fit properly are going to be the most slimming and attractive on you. Be sure to select colors that complement your skin tone and hair color. Avoid patterns as they can be too busy and overwhelming. Whatever you choose to wear, be sure that you feel comfortable in it. If you aren’t comfortable in your clothes it will definitely show in your portraits!

A Little Make-up Goes a Long Way
Not everyone has a perfect complexion, but being sure to conceal blemishes, and highlighting your favorite facial features can absolutely help to let your beauty shine through. Be sure your foundation and concealer are blended in very well. It’s also a great idea to use a powder foundation on any of your shiny areas. The last thing you want is to look shiny in your photos. And don’t forget to put on a little mascara and eyeliner as well and some lip gloss. Little, subtle touches can make a huge difference in the end result!

Hair Grooming
If you’re planning on getting your hair cut – it’s best to have it trimmed at least a week in advance. Hair can do funky things when freshly cut. If you’re like me and horrible at doing your own hair, it definitely doesn’t hurt to have a professional style it before having your photos taken. Often a little pampering like that can go a long way to making you feel beautiful in front of the camera lens.

Posture
Often in everyday life, we don’t stand up or sit perfectly. Most people don’t have perfect posture, but being sure not to slump or slouch can have a huge impact in your portraits. It also helps you look longer and leaner, even when sitting. Good posture is often an indicator of confidence. So kick those shoulders back, straighten your spine and flash a confident grin at the camera.

Relax
The right photographer should be able to help you feel at ease. If however, you are not working with this sort of photographer, reminding yourself to relax and have fun can help immensely in translating to beautiful natural images. If you typically take bad portraits and get nervous in advance be sure to do the following just before your portrait is taken. Take a deep breath and exhale naturally, relaxing your arms and shoulders. As you exhale, smile and remember to stand straight and pull your shoulders back.

Think Happy Thoughts
Now of course, you can tell the difference between a genuine and forced smile and the best photos capture a person’s true smile. This can be hard to do when you aren’t comfortable with the photographer or when you’re caught off guard, or placed in some strange position. Conversing with the photographer or the person you’re being photographed with can help loosen you up. You can always try thinking about something funny or a loved one too. The more genuinely happy and comfortable you are the better your portraits will be.

As you can see the right professional photographer can have a huge impact on helping you capture the best version of you, but there are a lot of little things you can do to look your best. From the clothes you wear to the thoughts in your head, the way you present yourself and the way you feel can have a huge impact on the way your photographs turn out. And above all – relax and have fun!

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