1: Tilt your chin down a bit. For some reason,
whenever people know their photo is being
taken, they tend to lift their chin. This
is rarely a flattering angle on anyone! You
want to be sure to correct your instinctive
tendency by just lowering your chin slightly;
down to the angle you normally hold your
head.
2: Straighten up! Although you don't want
to look stiff, you do want to have good posture.
The first step, even for photos where you're
sitting, is to put your shoulders back a
bit. For pictures where you'll be standing,
straighten those shoulders and tip your hips
forward just a little.
3: Angles are your friend. You know all
those red-carpet photos of the stars? They're
almost never facing the camera straight on.
That's because it's a much more flattering
posture to stand at about a quarter turn
from the camera. Put one foot forward, straight
ahead of you. The other foot should be turned
to the side, in line with that shoulder you've
already straightened! Although your body
will be at an angle, your face can still
be looking directly at the photographer.
4: It's a good idea to do a little practice
first. Go online or look at some magazines
with red-carpet shots or fashion shoots.
If you're reading wedding magazines, the
photos in those are also a great reference.
Find the poses that you like and try them
out in front of the mirror.
5: If you're one of those people who are
always blinking in pictures, there's a neat
little trick to avoid the closed-eye look:
Ask the photographer to count and take your
photo on 'three'. When you hear 'three',
take a breath in. It sounds crazy, but it
works. Odd but true, most people don't blink
when they start to breathe in.
6: Assuming you've hired a professional
photographer, be sure to arrange some 'alone
time' with just you, your new spouse and
your photographer. The portrait shots of
you newlyweds can be really lovely and natural
looking, but that doesn't tend to happen
if you're trying to pose romantically while
your wedding party and guests are looking
on.
7: Don't hesitate to speak up. If the light
is bothering your eyes, if there's a breeze
making you chilly, if you're uncomfortable
at all, say something! These pictures are
of and for you. Remember, the person/people
taking your photos really will want you to
look and feel happy.
8: Interact with people. On your wedding
day, you're surrounded by loved ones. When
you're posing for photos with them, let that
affection show. Whether it's a big, exuberant
hug, a simple kiss on the cheek or a hand
on someone's shoulder, an affectionate gesture
can transform a photograph from ordinary
to extraordinary.
9: Find something to do with your hands.
This is especially true for anyone in a suit
or not holding a bouquet. For those in suits,
a nice, comfortable pose is simply to put
one hand in a pocket and let the other hand
hang by your side. Another is to put one
hand on your lapel, holding it just below
your collar bone, again with the other hand
at your side.
10: Only smile if you feel like it! Even
if you're gloriously happy, sometimes you
don't have a big grin on your face. Don't
worry about forcing a smile for pictures
if you weren't smiling already. The look
on your face, your true feelings on your
wedding day will be so much more beautiful
than a fake smile. Relax and just know that
no matter what you do in your pictures, your
happiness is going to shine through.
