A Totally Easy Guide to Looking Great in Photos

Planning & Advice

Not photogenic? Nonsense! You don’t need to look like Gigi Hadid to have great photos. It’s all just a few simple tricks, and we promise you’ll stop running away from the camera and start looking great in photos. And our awesome advice is good for practically everyone – from the bride and her girls to the parents and guests. Ready? One, two, three!

Engagement photo sessions

If you have a chance to book an engagement photo sesh, then go for it! We can’t recommend it enough. First, even if you think you’re less photogenic than a walrus, then your photographer will show you that’s just not true, simply by taking the time to find your best angles. He or she will take many photos and you’ll see for yourself how beautiful you could look. Second, it’s hands down the best photo prep you could do for the Big Day. The photographer won’t have to do any guessing – they’ll already know your best angles, and you’ll be looking utterly gorgeous to boot! Third, you’ll learn the single rule of looking photogenic – the more photos are taken, the more you’ll relax and naturally look your very best. And that’s the whole secret!

Photo from Anita & Jamie’s engagement photoshoot by AVBart Wedding Photography

The countdown

In posed photos, ask the photographer to count to three before the photo is taken. This is very helpful if you’ve already been grinning through many rounds of snapping, and your smile is starting to feel a bit strained or fake. That little pause lets you take a small breath, relax your face, think of something funny, and bring out the natural smile that makes you look gorgeous. You’ll also avoid blinking at a crucial moment!

Ballet body

Have your grandma and mum been telling you since you were a child to ‘stand up straight’? Well, what do you know – the right posture is key to looking slimmer and more graceful! It’s not a big secret – pretty much every article about looking good says to pull those shoulders back and tummy in. To avoid walking around like a soldier, just imagine a ballerina – how tall they seem and how straight they stand, even when completely still. Now, think of yourself as that ballerina, and BOOM – instant result!

Photo from Helen & Philip’s real wedding by Insight Photography

Strong lips and eyebrows

Undoubtedly, a bride and her bridesmaids will already have their makeup game on point – so this one definitely benefits the guests. We need to look no further than Tilda Swindon. Have you ever seen pictures of her on the red carpet? She’s a beauty and one of the best actresses out there, but she also has a penchant for wearing minimal or no makeup. And then, when you compare her usual look with ones where she wears even a slick of lippy, the difference is tremendous. You won’t have to lay on the makeup with a trowel – just give those eyebrows a touch of pencil, and add your favourite tint to the lips. That’s all it takes, and the camera will love ya!

Photo from Amy & Ger’s real wedding by Konrad Kubic Photography

Angle is everything

Turn your body and face slightly away from the camera – it’s a trick that’s been around since posing was invented. Don’t believe us? Ok, look at any ye olde portrait of monarchs, aristocrats, and other posh peeps – hardly any of them are standing facing the artist (and the viewer) stock straight. At the very least, they’ve got one knee bent. And why is that? Because angles photograph better. You’ll instantly look slimmer, more relaxed and natural – all the things you want in a photo!

Photo from Maya & Manuel’s real wedding by Federica Nascimben –The Italian Wedding Event

Hand on hip

Look at any photos from any red carpet, and you’ll see so many stars posing with a hand on their hip. Adopt the pose, but to avoid looking like a teapot, move your elbow slightly to the back. It will do your whole posture a huge favour, and your whole body will look more relaxed. A tiny move with a huge difference!

Photo from Roseanne and Emmet’s real wedding by David Maury Photography

Avoid the trout pout!

Professional photos aren’t selfies. We repeat – professional photos aren’t selfies! Don’t make a fish face when you see a camera pointed at you, or even sense one being around. It’s one of the least flattering looks for anyone over 10 years of age. In fact, it’s only allowed when others around you are pulling funny faces. Otherwise, don’t. A smile always looks a million times better.

Make hair bigger

We’re not talking Sofia Vergara in a shampoo commercial… although, if you have the mane for it, why not? We simply mean, whatever you do to your hair now, take it up that extra notch. Give the roots a little more lift, the waves a little more swoosh, or the updo an extra half an inch in height. All it takes is a new styling product, like a mousse or a sponge booster. Ask at the pharmacy, they’ll recommend the perfect thing. Or, if you feel like treating yourself, go for a professional blow-dry – they’re absolute miracles. Fabulous hair means fabulous photos!

Photo from Joanne & David’s real wedding by Peter Rowen Photography

Go easy on shiny stuff

Glitter, skin highlighters and any other products that add sheen look awesome in real life. But in photos, a touch too much and you’ll simply look sweaty, not dewy. It’s best to err on the side of caution, and apply less than you think you need, not more. For most people, it’s usually enough when they do a strong eyebrow and lip – as we already mentioned above.

Photo from Miranda & Matthew’s real wedding by Daniel, DKPHOTO

Cheese is out, money is in

Apparently, there’s a better word to make you smile than ‘cheese’. That word is – money! Try it – apparently, cheese makes your smile look fake, but money makes for a much more relaxed and pleasant expression. There’s also an added bonus of people not expecting it – so they break out into giggles when they hear it, which of course looks great in photos! So remember – don’t say cheese, say money!

Photo from Ciara & Mark’s real wedding by Couple Photography

Avoid orange

Did you know many colours photograph stronger than they really are? Well, the same goes for your skin tone. If you’re thinking of getting a little bronzed before a wedding (whether you’re a bridesmaid, bride or guest), take it easy on the tanning bed or lotion, because lighter is always better. Another thing to remember is how you look in comparison to other people. When everyone is pale, a tanned person stands out even more, and it’s a fine line between that just-been-on-holiday glow and fell-asleep-on-the-tanning-bed look. In this case, less is definitely more.

The bulging pockets

This one’s for the guys, as us ladies usually have a stylish purse to hand. The groom, groomsmen and male guests – take everything out of your suit pockets to stop them from bulging. It makes the dapper silhouette look like a bad fit. Just think of Bond, James Bond – would he ever get caught with lumpy pockets? Nope. Be Bond and don’t.

Photo from Allida & Evan’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

Let’s sum up looking great in photos, from head to toe!

Do hair slightly bigger than usual, and define lips and eyebrows. Matte or semi-matte foundation won’t make you look sweaty. Go easy on tanning.

No trout pout – say ‘money’ and smile!

Put your hand on your hip then move elbow back. Angle body and face away from the camera.

Ask the photographer to count to three.

And if you have a chance to take a pre-engagement photo shoot, then you simply must take it!

And that’s all, folks! Hello gorgeous photos forever!

Main photo from Genevieve & Ronan’s real wedding by I Do Knot