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Style Matters: Secrets to taking flattering photos

Published April 12, 2007 at midnight

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Judie: Ever wonder why models look so great in photos? Excluding the fact that they are gorgeous, even these wonders of nature have their ways of tricking the camera to make themselves look even better.

Evelinda: Gone are the days of slathering Vaseline on the camera lens or covering it with flesh-colored panty hose to soften the look and blur detail.

Now the pros carry their own chips, which are loaded into the camera to automatically adjust the settings for the most flattering picture, says makeup/stylist Mary Ann Hogan, of A A A Acme Makeup, of Denver and New York, 1-646-285-6658.

Judie: Since models and celebrities get photographed daily, they know how to stand a certain way – positioning their bodies at a three-quarter turn, heads facing back to the camera, necks outstretched, hand on hips, feet angled.

And, these VIPs have professional stylists who are constantly dressing them for "candid" shots.

Why should they be the only ones to know the secrets to taking flattering photos? Since most of us can't afford a stylist, Style Matters spoke with some professional photographers and a makeup artist who gave us tips on how the rest of us can look great in photos.

J&E: Bart Levy, of Bart Levy Photography (303-369-6990), specializes in photographing children, families and high school seniors. He says the first rule of thumb is to plan for your pictures.

"Typically the face is the focus. The viewer's eyes go to the face and the skin tone. The key is that you wear what looks good in a portrait, not what looks good in the mirror," Levy said.

Beth Schneider, of Beth Schneider Photography (303- 683-6683), has been shooting photos for 25 years. She specializes in special occasions and head shots.

"The first thing I tell people is not to wear clothing with very busy patterns," she says. "The biggest mistake people make is dressing in the wrong clothes."

Tips from the experts

Clothing and accessories:

• Avoid short sleeves. It makes for too many arms and different skin tones for group and family photos. For individuals, take a serious look at your arms. Are they nice enough to be recorded in perpetuity?

• Necklines should flatter the face. If you have a heavy neck and chin, choose tops in darker colors with higher necklines.

• Try not to wear glasses unless you think they are an integral part of your image. Glasses distort the face and reflect light. If you choose to wear them, try borrowing a pair without the lenses.

• Large metal pendants and earrings are distracting to the camera because they reflect light.

Style Matters emcees Fashion Project, a fashion design competition for Colorado designers with proceeds benefitting Dress For Success Denver; April 18 and 25, at Tamarac Square, 7 p.m.; www.fashionprojecttamarac.com