How to Look Great in Every Photo

If you've ever watched even a single episode of "America's Next Top Model, you know that it takes a helluva lot more than saying "cheese" to look good in a photograph. 

Those wannabes spend countless hours testing and trying the expert tips they're taught to figure out their best angles, learning how to "find the light " and mastering the "smize" -- Tyra-speak for smiling with your eyes -- before even having professional hairstyles andmakeup done to be shot by a top photographer. The kicker? More times than not, the judges aren't even impressed by their photos. 

The scoop on posture"Stand up straight," implores celebrity stylist Beau Quillian who has styled the likes of Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Jessicas Biel, Alba and Simpson. He says that when it comes to posing, posture reigns supreme. 

"Good posture can take off five pounds," he advises, adding that it's equally important not to stand with your hands at your sides.












The smile testTo look great in every photo you need to figure out the smile you're most comfortable with. "Practice in the mirror," counsels Quillian. "See if you like a semi-smile better than a big toothy one. Or, maybe you look good smiling with no teeth. A lot of people think they have to go with a default giant grin, but that may not be your best smile." 

The key to avoiding a frozen stareClearly there's a difference between being snapped at a bar between shots of Jaeger Meister and posing for dozens of portraits at your sister's wedding. 

"If you 're going someplace and you 're going to be photographed a lot don't hold the smile for multiple photos -- let it go and then start again with a fresh smile," cautions Quillian. If you don't, "by the second or third snap you'll end up with a frozen look." 

Quillian also thinks that people shouldn't be shy about rearranging a shot. "If someone asks you to pose with a group and you prefer to be on the left side, go ahead and ask people to scooch -- whatever makes you comfortable -- remember, a photo lasts forever." 






The DL on Facebook profile picsForever shouldn't be how long you keep the same Facebook profile picture. Quillian says "I love it when my friends change their picture -- it's more interesting -- I admire people who are constantly refreshing their image." 

What makes for a great Facebook shot? "I think that it's really about choosing what represents YOU," Quillian contends.

The 411 on adapting your makeup for different lightingCan your makeup affect how you look in a photo? "Absolutely," says celebrated makeup artist Tina Turnbow who's worked with celebs including Mariska Hargitay, Amanda Peet and Vera Farmiga. 

"What works well for pictures is using enough makeup to enhance your features but not so much that you overwhelm them," says Turnbow. "Don 't overdraw your lips and do not contour too heavily. In a picture everything is more obvious, so use restraint!" 

The kind of light you'll be posing in makes a difference too. Natural sunlight is the most unforgiving and will show every flaw and drop of makeup so, if you're posing outdoors, keep your makeup natural. 

Alternatively, fluorescent bulbs wash out color and blur definition. So, if you're having an office headshot taken, add some color and definition back to your face with blush and naturally drawn lip liner. 



The makeup tricks to use before every photoRegardless of the light, "even out your skin," says Turnbow. For the most natural finish, use yellow-toned foundations and concealer since pink ones look fake in photos. 

"You definitely want to define your eyes," adds Turnbow, who advises against getting overly dark eye makeup because heavy shades can look harsh. "Don't go too black and be sure to blend, blend, BLEND!" And, enhance lips by going a shade darker than you normally do. 

"Remember," summarizes Turnbow, "in a picture, everything is more obvious. So be attentive to detail!" 

The five rules pro photographers recommend you live byPractice: "One of the differences between most of us and people who pose for photos for a living, is that we don't have very much practice having our photo taken," says Stiles. So don't be afraid to use your bathroom mirror to practice (no one will know except for you!). 

Do your homework: "We all have our good and bad angles; the trick is knowing what they are," insists Stiles. Horne concurs. Take time to "look at pictures you've been in and see what angles you look best at and try and stick with them.