Style Matters: How to look good in photos

Thursday, April 19, 2007

It's the time of year for weddings photos, senior pictures and prom snaps. We spoke with photographers Bart Levy and Beth Schneider and makeup/stylist Mary Ann Hogan for columns last week and today to get the lowdown on looking good in photos.

Makeup

Color photos: Wear normal makeup and bring it with you for touch-ups. Even if you don't wear makeup, use lip gloss. Check your makeup outdoors to make sure facial skin tones match your body color.

Black and white photos: Use heavier makeup so the photo can be overexposed a bit to eliminate unwanted features such as enlarged pores.

Avoid iridescent eye shadows which reflect light; all you'll see is the eye shadow.

Apply a bit of concealer lighter than your skin tone next to the temple and above eyebrows to lift the entire face.

Body position

The most flattering (read slimming) pose: Face front and cross one leg in front of the other, then turn your body at a 45-degree angle away from the camera and turn head and shoulders toward the camera. Place feet in ballet third position (one foot angled in front of the other).

Place hands on hips or raise them slightly to make arms look thinner and shoulders look less rounded.

Stretch your neck like a swan and tuck the chin slightly down. Think of Lady Diana, who always knew the best angles for her features when being photographed. Not only did she assume this position, but she liked being shot from above so when she raised her eyes, they looked larger.

When smiling, open your mouth and instead of plastering on a phony grin, pretend you see a favorite person; slightly open your mouth, take in a breath of joy and hold it. This creates an open-eyed, spontaneous look.

Evelinda: Remember to relax. With digital photography, photographers can make many changes. Just ask Judie: Her recently divorced niece had her ex turned into a potted plant in a family photo.