Little Known Tips and Tricks to Look Your Best in a Photo Shoot

While it is impossible to look completely perfect in any photo (in your own opinion while looking at photos of yourself), there are some things you can do to feel more confident and pleased with your appearance in professional photos.

Here are some tips compiled by professional photographers and models to help you look your best in your photos. Things you can do to prepare a few weeks ahead, days before, and even the morning of to help get the best pictures.

Hair

If you plan to get your hair cut before the photos, make sure to do it around two weeks before. This will give a good buffer in case something happens where you are not happy with the cut. For guys, a cut a few days before photos will work.

If you are doing photos outdoors bring some hair accessories so that you can pull your hair back or up on a windy day

Eyes

If you wear your glasses most of the time, wear them in your photos, if you are concerned about glare in your lenses detracting from your eyes you can get a pair of frames without lenses

If you are having an issue with red eyes, Visine drops are very helpful. It is a good idea to lay off alcohol the night before a shoot to avoid red eyes as well

Lips

It is common for people to wipe or lick their lips at some point during a photo shoot, if you plan to use lip gloss or lipstick bring it with you to refresh your look. It is a good idea to use lip balm regularly starting a few days before photos so your lips look their best

Teeth

If you hope to brighten the pearly whites start a whitening treatment two weeks before photos

Skin

African black bar soap is a great help for breakouts, you can use it a week in advance of your shoot

Don’t cake on makeup/concealer in effort to hide facial blemishes, it is easier to edit them out then edit visible cakey makeup

Dry skin can detract from photos, to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized begin a daily routine for all of your skin. Start this a week before photos. When you are finished showering lightly pat skin so that it is still damp and then apply lotion. Focus on arms, shoulders, neck, face, hands, and anywhere else the camera will see.

Avoid sunburns and tan lines by taking a break from baking in the sun or a tanning bed before your shoot, be mindful of your sun exposure at least a week leading up to photos

Clothes

Prepare your favorite looks a few weeks before your shoot. If you purchase new clothes make sure to try them on with plenty of time before photos. Have the right undergarments that will not be visible in the photo

If you need to iron your clothes do it the night before and let the clothes breathe on a hanger. If you plan to wear materials that wrinkle easily do not wear them to the shoot, change into them at the studio or shoot location

Nails

A fresh coat of nail polish applied the day of will make a huge difference in photos just make sure to pick a subtle color that will not draw attention away from your face. Make sure that the color compliments your outfits as well.

Of course the best advice in looking your best for photos is to relax and just have fun. Listen to and trust your photographer and your photos will turn out better than you expected. ~NY Photographer Jane Goodrich

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