Holiday Picture Anxiety...HELP?

ThicknPretty · 11-05-2009, 10:50 AM

Okay, so I am really not photogenic...plus the fact that the camera adds about 10 pounds to my already bigger frame...so needless to say I am not wild about pictures. I actually hate them...I haven't let anyone take a picture of me in years (even with my son, which is sad).

I want to change this. I am working on losing weight, but the holidays are basically here and the cameras are coming out even though I haven't realized my goal...

So my question is: do you guys have any tips for working the camera? Any poses, stances, clothes, tricks, makeup or lighting ideas that are more flattering? Anything would help!

beerab · 11-05-2009, 11:39 AM

Sticking your neck up and out helps make your face thinner- practice that because you want to do it just enough to where you aren't giving everyone a pig nose either!

effie12 · 11-05-2009, 12:37 PM

A lot of magazines sing the praises of the 3/4 towards the camera pose. Where you have your hips angled just slightly away from the focus of the camera? I've never tried it, but if it works... (sorry that description was awful, but I'm not quite sure how to explain it). Also, tilting your chin down just a little bit can help hide neck fat (though your neck needs to be stretched out, like the other poster said).

For me, I've found that pictures of me sitting and those taken from the side are the worst, and when my arms are just plastered to my sides, it makes me look awkward and hi-lights me middle. The more relaxed, the better. Though this is easier said than done!

-Effie

Morrobay1990 · 11-05-2009, 10:09 PM

this is a great question. i know i'm going to have to attend the Christmas party for work, they've already made reservations at a big restaurant somewhere. i HATE having my picture taken, and i don't know why it's mandatory. not looking forward to it at all, so please...more ideas of how to deal with it.

Sirenity · 11-08-2009, 01:35 AM

Check out these links, they may help:

http://beauty.about.com/od/hairstyle.../photopose.htm

http://www.jurgita.com/articles-id104.html

Good luck to you.

BrittniMarie · 11-08-2009, 04:21 AM

Never have pictures taken where the camera is under your face shooting in the upward direction... not flattering at all... You see every ounce of weight in your face when you do that.... I personally love when my husband takes pictures of me because hes nearly a foot taller than I am and so he angles the camera down to get my face and it hides my double chin nicely Good luck!!

yoyoma · 11-08-2009, 05:53 AM

Thanks for all the tips, and especially the links, Sirenity. Very interesting!

amynbebes · 11-09-2009, 01:07 PM

If you're standing to the side or at an angle put your weight on your back leg that won't show. Which ever leg you're putting more weight on appears slightly larger because of muscle use and such.

Sarilyn · 11-10-2009, 01:37 AM

First, you look great! You should not be afraid of having your picture taken at all, but I do understand your feelings on it. I feel the same way exactly.

You should try to overcome your anxiety over having photos taken, people want those memories, and you will too someday, believe it or not. I had photos taken just a couple of days ago at a family dinner, and while I dreaded them, they did not turn out as horribly as I had thought, not that they were great by any means. But a wonderful time was had by all, and the pictures are already a great reminder of that. Seeing myself smiling and laughing with my family is fun, even though i do not look the way I would like to look, it's the memories and the pleasant feelings the pictures evoke that are what's important, not physical perfection.

Sonata · 11-18-2009, 01:34 PM

I understand how you feel. I actually made a bargain with one of my husband's camera-happy cousins last Christmas to keep the camera the &$@#^& away from me, lol.