Feeling Unphotogenic? Here Are 14 Mistakes You Might Be Making

Our transformation into photogenic women like Angelina Jolie can largely be boiled down to one word: squinching. Huh? Let us explain. Squinching is a combination of squinting and pinching. Here’s what you do: Tighten your eyes as if you were going to squint. But slightly relax your top lids and let the lower ones do more of the work (where the “pinching,” of sorts, comes into play). Basically, doing this settles your expression into a happy medium between full-on squinting and, conversely, looking like a deer in headlights. Trust us, it’s a flattering look on everyone.

Straight at your sides, on your hips…hands in photos can be awkward. Try holding a prop like a cup of coffee or sunglasses, sticking your hands in your pocket or acting like you’re pushing you hair behind your ear like Keke Palmer above. Here are a few more ideas to keep your hands looking natural.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the old “say cheese” thing is a farce. It actually makes your smile look kind of forced and unnatural. If you have to say something, we suggest “money,” which allows your mouth to stay slightly open and come across as much more genuine, à la Anne Hathaway.

Here’s a helpful tip from PureWow Associate SEO Editor and resident photography expert Marissa Wu: When you’re being photographed, make sure whoever’s behind the camera is snapping pics from above. Wu explains, “It doesn’t have to be extreme, but when taking the photo, aim to have the phone or camera high enough that the subject has to raise their chin slightly to meet its gaze. This elongates the neck and gives the chin more shape. Surprise, surprise. You do have a jawline!”

OK, this might feel really awkward at first, but that whole “practice makes perfect” thing also applies to looking photogenic. Hop in front of a mirror and try out different poses, angles and facial expressions to see what works for you. You’ll be much more comfortable striking a pose you’ve pre-planned than positioning your body randomly and hoping for the best.

Hey, did you know that your tongue can make you more photogenic? Sounds weird, but it’s true. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth (just behind your teeth) when smiling for a photo. Your expression will be totally relaxed and not the least bit maniacal.

As much as you might want to (or think you need to), don’t suck in your stomach in photos. Your discomfort will show on your face and your shoulders will look slumped. Instead, project confidence in yourself and your pose, just like the ultra-chic ladies above.

Another celeb trick to copy? Strategic head angling. Take it from Gal Gadot and tilt your head ever so slightly to your best side and lower your chin. All that’s left to do is squinch and bask in the glory of being one of *those* photogenic women.

Feeling stiff? Move around. After every photo is taken, shift your body and face slightly into a different position. Hands by your side? Put one on your hip. Face straight at the camera? Turn it slightly left. Now slightly right. Now play with your hair with the hand that isn't on your hip. Most people have a habit of going to a go-to pose when photos are taken, so force yourself to shift slightly. Eventually you will start to notice which poses look better.

A lot of people, when faced with a camera, will smile and hold their breath or breathe shallowly, which makes you look more strained and anxious. Take a deep breath before the shot to relax your facial expressions and body.

Have you ever noticed how happy Katie Holmes looks in red carpet and paparazzi photos? Well, it’s one of the reasons why she’s so photogenic. The easiest way to look good in photos is to just be yourself. When you tense up and press your lips together, it makes your jawline look more square and pronounced, which—ultimately—changes the shape of your face. To combat this, let your natural emotions shine through, whether you’re laughing, smiling or feeling goofy. A relaxed, natural expression is usually the most photogenic because you’re not overthinking how you’ll look in the photo. So, don’t force it!

For those of us who aren’t professional models (*raises hand*), posing for a photo can be completely awkward. But just because you feel uncomfortable doesn’t mean you have to look it. Luckily, there are ways—including leaning into the whole awkward thing—to make the experience of being photographed infinitely less cringeworthy. Next time, try seeking out a bold background to take some of the focus off of you.

As much as you don’t want to focus on pictures where you don’t love the way you look, it’s a good learning experience. Go through your camera roll and your tagged photos to pinpoint what it is about the photo you don’t like (say, your smile looks semi-deranged) and try to fix the issue moving forward (say, by saying "money" instead of "cheese").

Now, we’re certainly not advocating for Photoshop or anything that would make you unrecognizable in person, but there’s a reason Instagram filters exist—they’re your friends. The right filter choice can take a mediocre photo to the next level. “Whoa, is that Gisele Bündchen?” your friend asks. “Nope, just me in ‘rise.’” Play around and see which filters suit you best—by which we mean highlight your strengths versus changing the way you look.