Picture perfection
21 Apr 2009 06:00 AM |
Posted by Editor
I’ve noticed something about the First Lady of late. It’s not just that she has impeccable fashion taste (she does) or that she looks like the kind of woman you’d want to be friends with (I do), it’s that – and I feel awful for saying this – but she doesn’t take the best photos.
Now, before you all panic that I’m insulting an icon, fear not, I too look better in the flesh than in the flash. Hence I feel for Michelle (or should that be Mrs President?). After all, people are far more interested in seeing photos of her than moi.
So what’s a girl to do, strike a pose in front of the mirror striving for picture perfection? Well you could, but it might be easier to follow this advice…
Illuminate, illuminate, illuminate. It really is the sure fire way to get cheekbones that would cut ice. Pat it along the bone, where light naturally falls, to get some supreme chisel going down. Bh recommends: Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator
It’s also very important to test out your make-up in different lighting. "If you apply make-up under fluorescents, it can look very different in incandescent light or daylight," warns photographer Paul Cincotta. So be sure to do a few trial runs before hitting the road.
If you find that the flash is whiting you out, there are a few things you can do. Lay off sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide. Alternatively, try going up half a shade in foundation to give added oomph to your complexion or invest in a decent bronzing powder. Bh recommends: MAC Bronzing Powder

Ps. Steer clear of glitter. As much as we love a bit of sparkle, shimmer has the tendency to make you look a bit hot and bothered so stick to a matte foundation. Bh recommends: L'Oréal Paris Matte Cashmere Liquid to Powder Foundation
What’s your fail-safe photo pose?
Member Comments
(85)
Posted by:
Sweetlolliepop64
(Australia)
really good tips..thanxx
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 6:59am)
Posted by:
elainebr18
(Member since 2008, Australia)
unfortuantly i dont think there are any tricks out there to make my pics look good lol, except of course a good airbrush!!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 6:59am)
Posted by:
Star791
(Australia)
Friends often tell me I am photogenic. Im not sure about that, I have seen photos that make me go eeww. I must admit, most of the photos that I have from nights out anf parties are favorites, maybe its the lighting.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 7:43am)
Posted by:
MissKrispy
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I don't have a pose, I just pull a smile and hope for the best.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 8:00am)
Posted by:
softness
(Member since 2007, Australia)
They are very good tips. I don't think I've got a fail-safe pose! That is funny LOL!!! But I know a few good silly poses I can do that generally look good on film. They are silly in real life because they are extreme and not 'normal' or natural but they make my features stand out in a photo and it looks nicer than if I just stand and smile!!!!! But for a more normal-ish 'pose' I know that standing with my face at an angle to the camera definately shows off my cheekbones and a bit of my profile. I feel suddenly narcissitic writing this!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 8:04am)
Posted by:
Leppy
(Australia)
Great tips, but is there a trick on how to keep my eyes open? I seem to have my eyes shut in most of my photos.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 8:44am)
Posted by:
annibaby
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I need to wear some bronzer on my skin to give me some warmth otherwise I look 'ghostly' in pictures. When I smile I remember a tip I read from somewhere to get rid of that double chin look. Simply place your tounge on the roof of your mouth and presto no double chin.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 8:44am)
Posted by:
Beauty Obsession
(Member since 2007, Australia)
A little bit of base and colour on me makes me appear less pasty in a photo. If I'm tired in a shot it really shows in my eyes so a good eye cream and bit of concealer does wonders for me.
I think I look better in a shoot that is less staged. There's been a lot of cases where I've looked good in a photo that was taken by surprise and wasn't one of those cheesy grins.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 8:55am)
Posted by:
Elle09
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Bronzer seems to do the trick with me. I look less pasty and more tanned, which brings across a really healthy appearance!! Great article Sarah!! xoxo
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 9:46am)
Posted by:
Skitzkitty
(Australia)
Avoid looking down into a camera - instant double-chin!! Do the red carpet pose (you know the one, stand side on with one foot in front of the other like all the Hollywood starlets!) to look slimmer.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 9:46am)
Posted by:
JL
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I think it is about time I bought some bronzer and illuminator. In fact I need to rethink and revamp my entire make up collection. The only problem is I just don't wear it often enough!!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 9:56am)
Posted by:
Elmo
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I'm with BO here - I look much better in a photo when it's taken when I'm unaware. Despite all my efforts, I generally just always seem to look horrible in posed photos! It's just too forced and unnatural - whereas action shots of me laughing look so much better! Def agree on the MAC bronzer though - it's one of my makeup staples!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:01am)
Posted by:
Stay C
(Australia)
Yay, a recommendation for my foundation. I love L'Oreal Matte Cashmere and I'm always recommending it to people myself. I did a friend's makeup for her wedding and I also used Napoleon Camera Finish to minimise shine and plenty of mascara so the eyes stood out in the photos.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:21am)
Posted by:
Bandaiblossom
(Australia)
Well, I guess I'm agreeing with Elmo, and thus, BO - posed photos make me look ick. BUT. It might be worth it to try out these products! :D
YAY ACTION SHOTS. And silly, crazy, fun shots in general...
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:21am)
Posted by:
Jacq
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I don’t take great photos at the best of times… and like most of the girls it’s a fluke when I do get a good one… However I do use Pam’s tip and mouth vowels in order to take a good photo…. A E I O U!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:23am)
Posted by:
drdaw
(Australia)
Sounds good - i'll have to look into a good illuminator.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:25am)
Posted by:
dancr
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Thanks for the tips Sarah. The best tip - applying makeup under fluourescents is very different to natural light. This is very true. I agree with MissKrispy in that I don't pose, I just smile and hope for the best. I too get told I am photogenic but I don't believe that at all!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:27am)
Posted by:
Bundybites
(Australia)
I avoid the camera lol. I hate photos :D. But when I do have photos taken I prefer just to be natural, don't force a smile, don't pose... Natural photos always look the best.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:36am)
Posted by:
melmeko
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I love this article but I totally believe there is no helpin me, lol. Any photo is always horrid. Posed photos look like mug shots and any other seems to catch me with my mouth open or my eyes closed, he he.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 10:39am)
Posted by:
mmmm
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I can sympathise, I'm terribly unphotogenic, when I force a smile I look half deranged. I've been practising in the mirror & have learnt to make my smile & face more relaxed & how to make sure my eyes are open. I also make sure I'm wear foundation without sunscreen so I don't look ghostly white with the flash.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 11:30am)
Posted by:
gabby19
(Australia)
haha this is so me. I think I look alright at home and then end up looking shocking in photos.
Thanks for the tips:)
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 11:59am)
Posted by:
captaincheeky
(Australia)
Photoshopping my pictures also work a treat, lol!!! Apparently theres this powder by cargo which is light-reflecting and makes the person be gorggg is photos!!! exxxyy too :(
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 12:38pm)
Posted by:
Bobbin01
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I find that if i work really hard at a pose, I can look ok in a photo but whenever Im caught offguard just being myself I have a really goofy smile that makes my eyes squint up and gives me a bit of a double chin. Still atleast I know in those pics that Im having fun even if I look a bit strange
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 1:42pm)
Posted by:
GoddessMagick
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Striking a pose for a photo isn't naturally occurring for me so making sure that i'm using makeup that doesn't reflect too much, have eyes that pop & contour my cheekbones...That's the best I can do to try for a good piccie. The rest is in the hands of the photographer (& possibly the photoshop/ airbrushing artist, lol) Like the clinique highlighter & Mac bronzer they sound like they might work wonders.
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 2:12pm)
Posted by:
HMad
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I remember reading somewhere that Linda Evangelista would only be photographed with her face turned slightly to one side as she was told that this was her "good side". Unless we are perfectly symmetrical like Christy Turlington, perhaps we could find our good angle and stick to it!
Posted on:
April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 2:37pm)
Posted by: Sweetlolliepop64 (Australia)
really good tips..thanxx
Posted on: April 21, 2009 (Apr 21, 2009 6:59am)