smile

Say Cheese: How to Look Great in Photos

Mikey Rox — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:24:45 +0000

Before the invention of the digital camera, we had to deal with whatever picture developed. Nowadays, as soon as someone snaps a shot, we’re all like, "Can I see it?" We want to make sure we look acceptable in the picture that will inevitably make its way onto Facebook where it will forever be judged — whether we like it or not.

To make sure you look your best in photos — since you have no control over it after it’s taken — here are a few tips you can institute before the flash goes off.

Get a Haircut Beforehand

Everybody looks great after a session at the salon or barber. It gives your face an air of freshness and your mood a boost of confidence. If you know you’ll be someplace where photos will be taken — a wedding, reunion, holiday dinner — get a haircut or new style before the event. I recommend going to the parlor a week in advance for two reasons: 1) So you don’t look like you just stepped out of the chair, and 2) if your stylists messes up, you have time to fix it.

Don’t Forget to Smile

I’m a smiler. There’s not a picture hanging in my house in which I don’t have a smile. My driver’s license, passport, and bank-card photos all have cheeky grins, too. I look happy when I smile, and other people comment on that aspect of my photos all the time. Why do I smile so much? Because nobody wants to look at a picture with someone who has a stone-cold stare — it’s depressing. That’s not to say that you have to show a full face of teeth — some people are self-conscious about their teeth, and that’s OK — but you should at least try to move your lips in an upward direction.

Also, try to smile naturally. It’s hard sometimes, and I’m guilty of feigning smiles here and there. But my husband has a great trick that always makes his smile look natural — he makes himself laugh before the photo is taken, and it always turns out great.

Iron Your Clothes

If you’re a schlub in your daily life, it’ll show up in the photos. Personally, I don’t think there’s any acceptable reason why anyone shouldn’t be ironing their clothes — or at least making sure they’re wrinkle-free somehow — before they leave the house. You never know when someone might want to take a photo of you, so it’s best to be prepared. It’s not that difficult to heat up the iron and run it across your pants and shirt in the morning or evening. In fact, I would go as far to say that if anyone wanted to be in a photo with me and they looked a hot mess, I would say no. I don’t want their poor grooming habits reflecting poorly on me.

Choose a Good Setting

A good background can make or break a photo op. Look around before the group gets into its pose. Is there something interesting that will give the photo more depth and excitement? Greenery, a mural, the cityscape? Be conscious of what’s behind you to enhance the chance of taking a keeper.

Know Which Side Is Your Best Side

No matter which way some people are photographed, they look amazing. I’m not one of those people. After analyzing many years’ worth of photographs, I’ve decided that I look best having my right side photographed. That’s the side I choose whenever somebody wants to take a picture. You don’t have to make a big deal about it when it’s picture time; just quietly position yourself the way you want so you have the best chance of taking a great photo.

Avoid Close-Ups

Models look great in close-ups; regular people do not. I try to avoid having close-ups taken at all costs. If I feel the photographer is too close for comfort, I kindly ask the person to back up a bit. They usually oblige. If they don’t, they will after they see what you look like close up.

Use a Decent Camera

If a camera isn’t quality, it’s not going to take quality pictures. If you’re someone who likes to snap photos, invest in a good camera. Decent digital cameras are inexpensive these days.

Opt Out

If you’re not feeling the photo op for whatever reason — you’re not confident about your outfit or hair or the photographer doesn’t have a good camera — politely decline the invitation to have your picture taken. I’d rather say no when I know the photo isn’t going to turn out well because I don’t look my best rather than let someone take a photo that I'll regret for the rest of my life.

Have other tips on how to look great in photos? Let me know in the comments section below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Getting more for your money in the most unexpected place

Paul Michael — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:54:24 +0000

I often get on my soap-box about bad customer service. I also preach (sorry) that you should all expect more for your money, be it shopping online or grabbing the weekly groceries. But I have to admit, even I thought this one was out of my out of my grasp. I’m referring to my recent trip to, wait for it, the dentist.

I am admittedly no fan of dentists. I’m allergic to pain and suffering, and they’re usually not in short supply at the tooth doctor. My last visit was over a year ago because of a completely rotten experience. I had to wait forever to see someone, I was flat-out insulted, my mouth was cut to shreds from the x-rays and I was then told I needed over $4000 worth of work. I declined (I later found out it was unnecessary work anyway), I came home in a sulk and my wife said she’d find us a better dentist. It took her a while.

Then, a few months ago, she said she had found our dentist. I was skeptical to say the least, but she was so happy that I had to admit, I was curious. After her appointment she received a thank you card from the office. Then, a $10 gift card to Jamba Juice. And she also came home with a state-of-the-art power toothbrush that she paid way less than retail for.

Value for money, friendly customer service, thank you cards, gifts. Could this be right? Aren’t we supposed to loathe the dentist? Well, I had my first appointment on Wednesday and I was genuinely taken aback.

When I arrived, I was greeted by a warm smile from the receptionist and she said “Hi Paul, how are you today?” She knew my name. No cold stare, no “where’s your insurance card?” just a genuine expression of being pleased to see me.

I was ushered to a chair, offered a cold drink and I filled out my paperwork. Then I went into the dreaded dentist’s chair where one of three people that day got to work. First, I had my x-rays taken. The technician was gentle and concerned for my well-being. After that, she asked if I would like moulds made of my teeth for whitening. I wasn’t so sure, until she said “it’s free…and so is the whitening gel, for life.”

Once again, my perceptions were challenged, but I happily took my freebie because whitening procedures are really expensive. Then, a dental hygienist entered the room and spent over an hour cleaning my teeth, finishing by massaging my gums and jaw. When I saw my dentist I was happy and content, and he used the latest laser equipment to detect cavities. I had some, but I really didn’t care at this point. I had been treated so well the news was minor.

I’m having my fillings done in a week. But I’m not bothered. In fact, I’m genuinely fine with going back. I can bring my favorite movie to watch, or I can choose from a wide selection in the office. And as my wife can already attest to, I won’t feel a thing.

Why is this story important? Because it shows that some people can actually get it right. They make you feel like more than just a number, they volunteer to give you genuinely expensive services for free, they even know your name when you walk in the door. It is something sadly missing from this world of large corporations. And I for one am loving this breath of fresh air. If you're not getting this kind of service from your dentist, doctor, optometrist, vet or anything else, maybe you should look around.

By the way, if anyone lives in Colorado the practice is called Cherokee Trail Dental Care and they can be reached at (303) 457 5288. They are filling up with patients fast, which is hardly surprising. It’s not a paid endorsement, they don’t even know I’m writing this article. But I think what goes around comes around, and that works for good deeds as well as bad. I advise anyone who runs a business, large or small, to pay close attention to this small practice with big ideas. It is without a doubt my best customer experience this year, if not this decade.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

$7 off of Crest Whitestrips

Andrea Karim — Thu, 31 May 2007 22:54:41 +0000

Whitening your teeth is not cheap. I've never had the dentist whiten my chompers, but I have used Crest Whitestrips, and they worked pretty darn well. They were also pretty darn expensive (around $30 or so).

Fortunately, Crest seems to feel bad about this, so they will send you all kinds of coupons if you sign up to receive their promotional email.

I did, and once every month or so, I get an email with a new coupon link. I don't use all of them, but they're pretty handy when I do. Anyway, here's one for $7 off of Crest Whitestrips. Happy whitening!

Photo by Andrew.

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: