The 9 Biggest Secrets of Photogenic Women

By Kelly Stoddard


You know those women who look beautiful in every single snapshot? While some may be genetically blessed, the real reason they never take a bad picture is because they know how to work the camera. We talked to photogenic women, professional photographers and makeup artists to get their sneaky-yet-simple tricks that go well beyond the tired "hand-on-hip" rule. Photo by Getty Images

1. "We don't allow photos taken from an angle below our chins."

"A picture from a direct or higher angle is more flattering," says Colleen Morrissette of Boynton Beach, FL. The pros agree. "Shooting down at a slightly higher angle helps avoid a double chin," says South Florida-based photographer Kim Stanton. It makes eyes pop too, which is why photographers often shoot from chairs and ladders at weddings. So ask whomever is taking your picture to stand on a step or slightly higher ground-or at least to hold the camera or phone at eye level or higher and tilt the top away from them slightly. The result: a thinner-looking you.


Related: Try these simple exercise drills to slim down fast.


2. "We stick out our heads."

"It feels awkward to lean toward the camera, but the pics always look better," says Mindee Aviva of Los Angeles. This tip is especially true for family portraits, says Stanton. "It also helps avoid a double chin and makes you appear slimmer." If you don't feel comfortable jutting out your head, center your shoulders and lengthen your neck enough to feel a small pull at your collarbone. It will have a similar effect as the pro method and be less obvious.

3. "We don't suck in our stomachs."

Surprise! Your go-to inhaling move can ruin your posture instead of making you look leaner. "It makes your shoulders slouch," notes Amy Foster of New Smyrna Beach, FL. "Instead, exhale and engage your core, as though you're holding a yoga pose, while bringing your shoulder blades closer." As soon as someone breaks out the camera, take a deep breath. Then, lift up your chest, bring your shoulders back and exhale deeply just as you smile. Practicing these easy yoga poses before an event can benefit you, too.

Related: Trim your tummy in weeks!


4. "We know how to avoid blinking."

Don't get caught with your eyes closed! "Look down at the ground and look up right when it's time to say cheese," suggests Kim Alexander of Charleston, SC. "This helps you look fresh-not bored staring at who knows what-and prevents blinking." If you wear contacts or have allergy-related dry eyes, another thing you'll want to do: Pack lubricating eye drops and even an extra pair of contacts when you know you'll be posing for pictures. Social situations, especially ones with alcohol, lend themselves to dry, itchy eyes, which make you blink more.

5. "We slim ourselves with makeup."

Try these contouring tips from Laura Geller Cosmetics national makeup artist Marissa Rudolph. -To pop out your cheek bones, use a fan brush to lightly sweep bronzer directly below your cheek bone, in the indentation that forms when you make a fish face. -To minimize a double chin, sweep bronzer right below your jaw line. -To cover cellulite on legs when you wear a dress or shorts, use a bronzer specifically for the body (like Laura Geller Beauty Baked Body Frosting) and apply all over your gams.

6. "We don't smile; we 'squinch.'"
According to New York-based photographer-and YouTube sensation-Peter Hurley, a combination of squinting and pinching can give you a naturally sultry look in every picture. It narrows the distance between your pupil and your lower eyelid, making you appear more confident. Master this look with his 15-minute YouTube tutorial. Another method to avoid a forced smile? Have fun! "If people are comfortable, they take better pictures," says Stanton.

7. "We shake out our hair."

By the end of the night, your tresses have most likely fallen flat. Pictures seem to amplify that dullness. "Before anyone snaps a pic, I quickly turn my head over and give my hair a good shake," says Rudolph. "It gives me a ton of volume." If your hair loses volume fast, try conditioning only the ends of strands and using a residue-fighting shampoo. Women with fine hair can also pump up their 'do with a root-lifting spray like Living Proof Full Lifting Spray. One more trick: Pack a travel-size dry shampoo in your purse to get volume (and nix oiliness) on the go-just be sure to tame frizz and flyaways before photo time.

Related: See 10 hairstyles that make you look younger.


8. "We're honest about our strengths-and weaknesses."

Every body is different, so everybody shouldn't blindly follow the same rules. "If you have a short torso-like me-resist the urge to put hands on your natural waist," says Foster. "Place them at hip level or below for a longer-looking middle." If you have thicker legs, "cross them or pop one out when standing up and pivot your upper body," recommends Morrissette. This makes your legs look trimmer and nips your waist. And don't simply wear dark colors to hide your least favorite areas. Choose hues you look good in-and make you happiest-like the shades that bring out your eye color, says Stanton.

9. "We make the most of the other people in each photo."

"When in doubt, disguise yourself in between friends," says Morrissette. But avoid leaning on them too much. "Don't crowd all together hunched over and with bent knees like this is a sorority group photo," cautions Alexander. "Stand tall with good posture. Don't try to be the smallest-you'll look like you have a bad back."


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