7 Easy Tips to Take Better Pictures

Image: Pinterest

Like it or not, we live in a digital world centered around selfies, SnapChat stories, and status updates. Often our entire social existence is concentrated on taking the best photos possible. With the rise of social media content sharing, it’s no surprise that many of us want to know how to take better pictures. How exactly do those Insta-famous bloggers take such amazing pictures? Today, we’re sharing the secrets to taking the most photogenic pictures ever.

Learn the 7 Easy Tips to Take Better Pictures!

Work Your Angles

There are a few key elements to taking a great photo that universally apply to everyone. No matter what your natural body shape, face shape, or complexion, one of the best ways to instantly take better pictures is to work your angles. Yep, just like the models!

Beauty is often associated with creating long lines and symmetrical shapes. In fact, an article by National Geographic confirmed that we naturally assign beauty to things (and people!) that are more symmetrical. To work your angles, study your face and find which side is your “good side”. Almost everyone has a side that’s more symmetrical and photo-friendly. Work your body angles too! Find a go-to pose for pictures so you aren’t left feeling and looking awkward in pictures.

Image:Youtube

Define the Jawline: Chin Out & Up

Along with finding the perfect angles for yourself, work to create long symmetrical lines to take better pictures. One way to do this is to give yourself a distinct chin and jawline. Even if you were born with a retiring chin, you can work on posing to give the illusion of a more pronounced jaw line. To do this, make sure you don’t scrunch your chin up when taking photos; in fact stick your chin out slightly rather than pulling it back towards your neck. And, instead of pulling the chin too far down (giving the illusion of a higher forehead), bring the chin slightly up to clearly define the neck, jawline, and head.

Image:Style Caster

Body Language Talks

Quite literally, your body language can speak volumes about you as a person. How you hold yourself in photos automatically tells a story to the viewer; if you’re awkward and uncomfortable taking a photo, chances are your body is giving you away. Instead of letting your emotions dictate your stance, flip it around! Find a stance or pose that makes you feel confident, happy, strong, and comfortable. Use this power pose in pictures to exude positive feelings. The more positive you look, the more photogenic your pictures!

Image:LinkedIn

Lipstick, Ladies!

When I’m taking a picture, one of the first things I do is add a pop of lipstick. Often times bright flashes can drain the color from your face. The reverse self cameras for selfies are even worse; they camera quality is often grainy and the color seems to always distort itself. To combat these issues, try adding your favorite lipstick color! A splash of color can brighten up your entire face. It’ll also make your teeth look significantly whiter. It’s a win-win!

Image: Kelly golightly

Authentic Smile!

The legend that is Tyra Banks often says to “Smize” during photos. So, what exactly does the supermodel turned business mogul mean? She’s referring to the act of “smiling” with your eyes. When you take pictures, your face has to tell a story. Instead of cheesin’ with no meaning behind why you’re cheesin’, give yourself a real reason to smile. The next time you’re about to take a picture, smile from an authentic place - what really makes you smile? Think about that and then smile. Your pictures will look 1000 times better!

Image:The Gloss

Find Your Best Light

This is one of those rules that can be hard to implement but will make a huge difference in the overall quality of your pictures: find the best light. Nope, the fluorescent overhead office lights will not work. The trick is to find a spot to take photos that offers shade and light. For example, the tramp in backyard is my ideal place to take selfies. It sounds silly, I know, but the lighting is perfect!! The black of the trampoline is a great backdrop, and the way the light hits helps create imperfection-free skin. Find a place that can be your go-to spot with amazing light!

Image: Enolabs

Use Height to Help

Where’s all the shorties at? If you’re short (like me!) it can be hard to create long, lean lines in photos. One of the best ways to elongate yourself is to add height. Sure, you can add height using heels, but there are also many other ways to make yourself look longer and leaner. Try lifting up through the crown of your head when you pose or slightly raise off your heels to create longer, leaner leg lines. Create space in your limbs by posing with your legs and arms separated instead of stacked and squished together. Another one of my favorite lengthening tips? Slightly arch your back when you stand to give your booty and legs a pop!

Image: Stylecaster

Ready to take your own pictures? Try our 7 Easy Tips to Take Better Pictures and let us know how it goes! We’d love to share your pictures with our HAPARI community. For more posts like this, check out the HAPARI Blog. We’re like your favorite lifestyle blog, but better - mostly because we follow the HAPARI code of creating quality content you want to read. See you there!