How can I look better when I’m being photographed? People ask.

Because there is no active verb to express “being photographed”, we use the passive voice. This conveys that something is being done to us as opposed to us doing something ourselves.

Being photographed should not be a passive action.

We don’t say Kate Winslett and Leonardo di Caprio are “being filmed”, we say they are filming or acting. They are performing for the camera.

So let’s stop “being photographed” and start “performing for the camera”. Let’s stop being victims of the camera and take control of the images it sees.

The camera can only photograph what we choose to show it. A Look Good on Camera photo-shoot will give you the skills and techniques to present the camera with images of yourself that you want to see in the photographs that it produces.

To look your best in photos you need to be relaxed.While today’s cameras can produce good photos almost anywhere, for truly beautiful portrait photography you need to have the facilities of a photographic studio. I can show you how to look better in pictures anywhere, but if you want really great photographs you need studio lighting. Because it is necessary to reduce the resolution of images to make them manageable on the web, the difference in technical quality between photographs posted on websites is not always obvious. However you can get a feel for the difference by comparing shots in our gallery taken in studio conditions e.g. Cheryl, Guy, and Rose with those that were not taken in a studio e.g. Emma and Fiona. For many people the thought of just visiting a studio is daunting, let alone the prospect of posing for a photo-shoot. If you add to that the need to change clothes, hairstyles and make-up, all in an alien environment, then unless you are a professional model, you are almost certain to feel uncomfortable. If you are uncomfortable you are not going to look your best. Every good photographer knows that relaxing their subjects is crucial to producing good glamour, fashion, or portrait photographs: and that can be difficult when the subject is in unfamiliar surroundings.Just as cameras have got smaller, so accessories such as lights and backdrops have become more portable. So it is now possible to set up a studio in anyone’s home, provided that they have some electric points and 10 square metres or so of potential space (for those of you who like me who are more familiar with imperial measurements that’s about 10 feet by 10 feet). I have significant experience of setting up my studio in flats and houses. Yes it takes a little more time and I may have to re-arrange some furniture, but I am extremely careful and your carpets, furniture and paint-work will be safe with me!You have the advantage of being in your own environment, with your own changing facilities, close to all your clothes and personal grooming aids. Please give me a call or email me if you would like to know more.

email bob@lookgoodoncamera.com to find out more about looking good in photos or telephone 07920 130985

Go to Home Page www.lookgoodoncamera.com 

Forget about the hand gestures which are so often the hallmark of insincere politicians. Disregard the carefully rehearsed actor’s rhetoric. The most expressive parts of the human body are the eyes. If you really want to send a message to the camera, use your eyes. Sorrow, mystery, anger, joy, compassion, sensuality, fun:- The list is endless. Don’t be camera shy. Engage withe camera. Use your eyes to talk to the camera and change the way you look in photographs. Yes, it takes practice, but it’s great fun. You can use your eyes to scold, to flirt, to question, to disapprove, to chastise……Be they blue, brown, or green they should always be seen. Your eyes are your individuality and using them will greatly improve how you look in photographs. By using your eyes you will add interest to your photos and look better in your pictures.

email bob@lookgoodoncamera.com to find out more about looking good in photos or telephone 07920 130985

Go to Home Page www.lookgoodoncamera.com 

I don’t claim to be an expert on hair styles but I do have an opinion about what suits an individual best. As an interested third party I find it surprising that the vast majority of brides want to wear their hair up on their wedding day (even our cartoon of the camera shy bride depicts her with her hair up).

Now there are women who look very good with their hair up, women who look good with it down and some who look good with it up or down (Alex, the bride on the front page of our website is one such lady). However girls, if you will permit a mere male to give his opinion, many of you look better with your hair down.

Putting your hair up can give you a very severe look and can emphasize your neck and ears.  Hair can provide a frame for the face and have a major softening effect. If you have decided that a certain style suits you best for everyday purposes, why change it so drastically on your wedding day? 

Another problem with wearing your hair up is that the laws of gravity dictate that at some time it is going to start falling down. You therefore run the risk of having your photograph taken when your hair is becoming increasingly untidy. If you have short hair or wear your hair down, it is a lot easier to do a little titivation prior to posing for your photographer.

If you disagree with me, at least have your photograph taken with your hair up beforehand. That way you can judge for yourself and/or show the photos to a few people who you know will give you an honest opinion.

In a look Good on Camera photo-shoot we give you the opportunity to be photographed with your hair up and with it down. 

email bob@lookgoodoncamera.com to find out more about looking good in photos or telephone 07920 130985

Go to Home Page www.lookgoodoncamera.com 

The human body comes in many shapes and sizes but generally we are all wider full frontal than we are side-on. The ratio is about 3:2. So you might expect that being photographed side on will make you look a whole third slimmer - and if you have one of those straight up and down figures it probably will. But if like me you are a little over your ideal weight, you will know that those extra pounds are not evenly distributed and being caught side-on can show the odd bulge in the wrong place. It’s also quite uncomfortable to screw your head round through 90 degrees to look at the camera. 

So the answer is to stand at 45 degrees to the camera (i.e. half way between full frontal and side on). In this way you will reduce your body width by about a sixth without profiling those ever so slightly podgy bits! 

For those of you who feel you are a little on the slim side, then present your body full on to the camera. 

A Look Good on Camera photo-shoot will give you the opportunity to practice this along with many other tips on how to look better and achieve your photogenic best in photos and pictures. Believe me, you really can look better in pictures and photos and become more photogenic. It just needs a little practice. Don’t be camera shy. Give me a call. I’m here to help.

email bob@lookgoodoncamera.com to find out more about looking good in photos or telephone 07920 130985

Go to Home Page www.lookgoodoncamera.com