Want Great Wedding Photos? 5 Ways To Make Yourself More Photogenic
Creating wedding photos that you'll love calls for more than just finding the right wedding photographer. You, the bride (and your groom), are also part of the equation. And if you're often not happy with the way you look in pictures, there are a few things you can do to help ensure the best possible result. Here are 5 easy suggestions.
Find Your Pose. Spend some time before the big day learning how you want to pose in a way that makes you feel good about yourself. Avoid face-on poses with your hands hanging straight down. Instead, try doing a three-quarter twist -- placing your hips about 45 degrees from the camera -- then putting your weight on your back foot and crossing the other leg in front of it. Get your hands in the action -- on your hip, holding your bouquet, holding your groom's hands, etc -- since hand placement can add interest to a picture.
Relax. People tend to stiffen up when faced with formal photo shoots, making them appear unnatural and uncomfortable. To avoid this, take a moment to breathe if you feel yourself pinching, furrowing, stiffening or squinting. Close your eyes, purposely let your face go slack and loosen your lips. If you want, hold this relaxation mode while the photographer counts down, then open your eyes and smile.
Say it With Your Eyes. More serious pictures of the bride and groom are a hot trend, but you don't want to look unhappy or bored either. So, if you're going to tone down your smile, focus on what you are saying with your eyes. The idea of "smiling with your eyes" is a unique facet for each person, so it's a good idea to practice a little before the wedding. Combine some smiling eyes with a small, knowing grin, and you have the makings of a beautiful shot.
Test Your Makeup. It's also good to do a practice run with your makeup before the ceremony. By taking some photos in your planned makeup -- and with any bronzing agent or self-tanning lotion applied -- in the venue or as close to it as you can, you can identify problem areas. Some makeup or bronzing creams looks fine in regular light but can come out orange, look like sweat or glisten in the wrong places when shot with a camera.
Straighten Up. The simple act of straighten up and not slouching can do wonders for your overall look. If you want to slim down visually, put your shoulders back and your chest forward, then pull your stomach in toward your spine. Do you tend to get a double chin in pictures? Move your head forward slightly and place your tongue on the roof of your palate. Saggy arms? Lift them out just a little to give them more visual space. Elongating or straightening out your perceived problem areas can help minimize them in pictures.
It's vital to work with a good photographer who understands your needs and wants and knows how to get the most out of each picture. But you can help him or her by practicing your own methods for improving your look and feel when you're the subject. By knowing how to relax, how to stand and what to wear, you can help make sure you end up with a lifetime of great photo memories.
For more information and tips, talk with a professional wedding photographer, such as those at Joe Damone Photography.