Studio photography is superior to home photography in many ways, but the latter also has its advantages. First of all, you don't have to go anywhere and you can save money by doing your photography yourself, without the help of a professional photographer. And secondly, and more importantly, you will feel relaxed at home, and the pictures will turn out natural. After all, you’ve probably often noticed that photographs in which the model smiles tightly, clearly embarrassed, do not look particularly attractive. But how can you take a beautiful picture at home, adding quality and atmosphere to the already listed advantages of this photography? Let's look at this issue in more detail.

How can you take a photo at home?

Even if you are photographed at home, you must not forget about clothes and makeup, since it does not matter where the photo was taken - you must look perfect in it. But when choosing, you don’t need to give in too much to your imagination. Better choose something simple and effective. For example, put on white dress, high-heeled shoes, wear expressive makeup, such as smoky eyes, and leave your hair loose or braided in two braids. A spectacular, yet simple look is ready. Although, if you live in an old, interesting house, and not in a high-rise building, then you can choose some Victorian or Gothic image. Here you need to choose what is more congenial to you.

How to take pictures at home - poses

In general, you can choose as you go along. But it’s a good idea to get acquainted with the most basic of them first, so that you can experiment on your own:

1. Chairs, armchairs and sofas. You can take pictures on these pieces of furniture, sitting, lying down, and so on. Play with unusual poses that look interesting in your photos.
2. Windows. Interesting photos are taken near the window. You can stand directly under the sun's rays, or from the side. In the first case, only your silhouette will be visible.
3. Doors. Here you can come up with no less interesting poses. For example, lean on the door frame or make an image of a girl leaving or entering the door.
4. Bed. Since this part of the furniture is the most personal, the photographs on it will turn out to be a little more seductive and erotic. For example, you can take a photo on a bed surrounded by rose petals.

How can you take a photo at home yourself?

If you decide to take pictures yourself, without the help of a photographer, friends or relatives, then do not forget that it is much better to take pictures using a timer, while placing the camera on a tripod or other convenient place in the absence of one. Photos taken with an outstretched arm are not nearly as interesting as they might seem.

In our digital time, when there’s a camera installed almost everywhere, even in a matchbox, everything that is left is to enjoy ourselves in photos. But unfortunately the result is often frustrating. It seems that everything works towards a great photo: atmosphere, dress and make-up. But when you look at a camera screen the first thing you want to do is to delete the photo, and the second one – to cry.

Why does it happen? Why do we often look bad in photos?

We know how to eat and hold a spoon and a fork, we know how to drive a car and that we need to cross the road when green light is on. We have been learning this since we were born. But nobody taught us how to look good in photos, and this is a skill as well.

Those people who look bad in photos again and again, tell themselves: “We’re non-photogenic.” But in fact, there are no photogenic and non-photogenic people. One should just learn how to look good in photos.

One of my specializations is to shoot individual portfolio. I work with people who are nowhere near model business and are often stand in front of a camera for the first time. I almost know everything that a person standing in front of the camera might tell me. And I work with this. And my work gets a lot of positive feedback.

I would like to share 9 tips, which will significantly improve photos of you. And it doesn’t matter whether you are going to a photo session of a professional photographer or a picture will be taken by your friend with an amateur camera.

1. There are 3 main pillars that create an image, and if you follow them, your picture will be really successful. One of them is proper clothes. In my work, I’m assisted by a stylist who chooses clothes for a model and if it’s necessary finds the clothes I need to create a complete image. But you don’t need a stylist to improve your appearance.

Put on clothes of neutral tones without conspicuous and extremely bright colors for a photo session. If, for example, you are wearing red top, a viewer will see this top first, and only then you.

Clothes should preferably have no patterns and stripes. So leave leopard dresses and tops with large patterns at home. Firstly, you’ll get lost in them, and secondly not all cameras can cope with complicated patterns of clothes.

And it is very important to complete your image with accessories. I always remind my models about accessories prior to photo session. Don’t forget to put on relevant pendant or a bracelet that will emphasize your appearance.

2. The second photography pillar is a background. Here advice is similar to that for clothes. No aggressive colors, patterns and stripes. The more homogeneous the background is the better. It’s mauvais ton to have a picture taken with a carpet behind. But you already know it.

Background shall match your image. If you put on a Victorian style dress, and choose to have a photo session in a hi-tech interior, it will look rather strange. The same is if you decide to have a photo session in a field of wheat while wearing your wedding dress. What sane bride will go to the country to have a photo session in a dusty dirty field?

That’s why choose a location in line with the idea you want to implement.

3. The third pillar to create your image is you, photographer’s model. And the next 7 tips are all about this.

There are no photogenic or non-photogenic people. There are people that like and respect themselves. Such people feel sure in front of the camera, they are as they are. That’s why first of all get to like yourself. I understand this is a piece of advice from psychological area, and you need more than 10 visits to a psychologist, but you shall try. Attend photographer’s consultation at least. Perhaps a photographer will dispel lots of your doubts. Because photo session in reality is a bit different from what you expect. For example, I try not to appoint a photo session without preliminary meeting.

There is one more trick that will set you up for the photo session and will help you loosen up. This trick was proposed by one New-York photo school and due to its effectiveness it has quickly become very popular all over the world.

When you are home alone, stand in front of the mirror and say 100 times while stroking yourself: I’m the most beautiful. I'm the best. I love myself very much. If you can tell this 100 times without laughing, you can become an actress in Hollywood. And no photo session can frighten you then.

4. Preparation to a photo session is very important. As I’ve mentioned above, I always try to meet those whom I’m going to shoot. This helps us to understand each other more quickly and not to waste time during the photo session. During the meeting I also try to find a reason, why a person comes to my photo studio and basing on this information we discuss a topic of our photo session. We also plan it.

Communicate with a photographer prior to your photo session. Half-hour talk several days before the photo session will save you couple of hours during the shooting.

5. The 5th tip is a make-up. Make-up is aimed at emphasizing advantages and concealing disadvantages of your skin. Of course, lots can be done in Photoshop now, but believe me, it will be lower in cost to use the services of a professional make-up artist, than of a professional retoucher.

6. Rest and general state. It’s important to sleep well prior to a photo session. Because sleep is a health itself. If you come to a photo session wishing that everything is finished as soon as possible, you’ll never get good pictures then. It’s impossible to conceal eye fatigue and lack of tone in your muscles.

I also forbid alcohol both during a photo session and the day before it. The reason is the same as that for sleep. It may seem that alcohol can loosen you up, but it’s not so. It can liberate your thoughts, but not your body or poses. And very often, a person that has taken even 50 grams of alcohol looks rather funny.

7. In many cases, people are afraid of shooting, because they don’t know how to pose right. Here I’ll give you several pieces of advice that will help you to put your arms and legs to look good in the photo. But remember that the main posing is in your head. I’ve already mentioned this for the 3d tip, and I’ll talk about it later.

To conceal an extra weight you gained during holidays, stand in front of a photographer half-turned. This will conceal your figure and make your waist slimmer.

Remember, straight lines are forbidden in the poses. Bend your arms, legs and tilt your head a bit. Just a bit. But the joints shall be half-bent. Photographers call it Rule of Triangles. When you, so to speak, draw several triangles with your body.

Crossing elements, for example arms, always attract attention. This is an example of how to create mood in a photo with the help of a body.

Don't hump your shoulders. This is a common mistake of many people. Crane your neck a bit. And lower a shoulder which is closer to a photographer.

Don’t lean towards a photographer. By this you’ll have a square-shaped figure and no waist.
These are just a few tips for posing. But in general, just trust your photographer. Seeing you through the lenses, a photographer knows better how you should stand.

8. Be natural. Forget about those broken poses from magazines. These poses are for professional models advertising clothes. And you have a photo session for yourself. That's why be natural. Because the more natural you look, the better the picture is!

9. One more psychological tip to improve the way you look in the photo is to get into a character. How?

For example, you came to a studio to have a business portrait. Imagine that you’re the main and the most important person in your profession. You’re an idol for many newbies; magazines and newspapers write about you. People want to have your autograph. Imagine all this. Have you?

Or you want to have a picture for social networks to find a husband. Imagine that you love and are loved in return. Imagine the man, you want to have a photo for, imagine how he hugs you, gives you presents and kisses. How do you spend time with him. Have you imagined?

Look, how you’ve straightened up, see the gleam in your eyes, you’re confident in yourself and you don’t have to think about your pose any more. Now you’re posing like a professional model. It's very simple. And this is the most important of my tips.

And always ask yourself a question “Why?” This question will allow you to avoid lots of unnecessary and stupid photos. For example, if you come to a birth and embrace it, ask yourself “why am I doing this?” If you have no answer, then you should just give it up and try to find another story for your photo session.

Simple tips with examples and photos

First answer, why do you need a photo shoot? If for low-grade sites and magazines, then this article will not help you. Here we will talk about how to take really beautiful photos. Something to be proud of. The kind that makes them famous, popular on Instagram, and that 50 years later you won’t be ashamed to show to your grandchildren.

Let's leave the technical side of the issue, let's talk only about places, clothes and poses for photography.

How to avoid taking photos

Let's start with the basic truths, which everyone seems to already know, but still Instagram is already bursting at the seams - thousands of “photo masterpieces” appear on the Internet every day.

Remember these 5 main taboo rules:

1. Never take pictures in the toilet! Never!!!
2. Avoid horizontal and unnatural poses.
   Lying, crawling, wringing your hands, bending over on an unmade bed, on the floor of an apartment, on carpets - this is, to say the least, ugly. If you really want to lie down somewhere, then it is better to choose a flower meadow.
3. Do not dress vulgarly: parts of your underwear should not fall out from under your clothes, as well as some parts of your body. It’s easy to determine this line: there shouldn’t be anything in the photo that you wouldn’t want to show to your current or future children, or parents.
4. Do not wear very tight clothes for a photo shoot, so as not to get a “sausage effect” instead of beauty.
5. Don't stick out your lips.

Of course, there are no rules without exceptions, but these exceptions are best left for a personal photo archive or to professional photographers who know how to present even dubious situations beautifully.

1. Take photos in nature

It is difficult to take good photographs indoors without special equipment.

2. The pose should be natural

Remember: any pose in which you are uncomfortable will turn out poorly in the photograph.

3. Don’t make a languid expression on your face!

A sincere smile or laugh will make even a bad photo more attractive. During filming, remember something very pleasant and smile that same mysterious smile of Gioconda, which makes any woman’s face more beautiful.

4. Try to take pictures not from the front, but half-turned

Try not to look into the lens - this will make the pictures more interesting. Or look, but as if by chance turning around.

Another rule - take pictures half-turned

5. Look for winning angles

When photographing, what is closer to the lens looks larger, and what is further away looks smaller. Therefore, for example, It's better to photograph fat people a little on top to make your figure look slimmer.

How to take photos correctly. Avoid “straight” poses

6. Use perspective

The photo will be more interesting if the lines of the shoulders, tilt of the head, legs, etc. are not perpendicular. Avoid straight lines and “straight” poses. However, there is no need to bend too much or take unnatural poses. Everything in moderation!

7. Dress comfortably for the photo shoot

You don't need to wear green to a photo shoot, otherwise your face may take on the same shade.
Mike Newming

8. The color of clothes is very important

Portrait photographer Mike Newming advises: “You don't want to wear green to a photo shoot, otherwise your face might take on the same shade.” However, the opposite also applies: if the face is too red, then wearing green clothes will help hide this defect.

9. ... and your makeup

In your makeup, pay special attention to blush to make your face look more expressive. It is better to avoid sparkling and pearlescent shades. Look .

10. To relax – jump!

Experienced photographers know that to get a good shot you need to jump well...

When you feel too self-conscious, just do a fun jump-up (jump photo). Jump higher a few times, and let the photographer select the “sports” shooting mode to get several shots in a row. After this, you will be able to relax, your mood will lift and your next photos will turn out better.
But more often than not, the “jumps” themselves turn out to be the most successful photographs. Use a little imagination to take interesting photos.

Lifehack! How to quickly learn to pose for photos

For those who want not only to be photographed, but also to win beauty contests or create their own lookbook with photographs, there is one magic secret on how to quickly and easily learn to choose clothes, places and poses for photography: imitate those you like .

In the photo: Simplicity is the main secret of Grace Kelly's style

Choose a famous “style icon,” preferably from the last century, and start imitating her. Imagine that you are her. The one everyone admires. For example, . Do you think Grace would crawl on an unmade bed in front of the camera or bend indecently in the toilet? Look at her photos, poses, clothes, makeup. And when you take a photo, think, what would Grace do?

Retro photos look very good. For example, in .

Photos from past years are a great example to follow

You can take Audrey as an example. Look at the photo

Who doesn't like to be photographed? Eighty percent of the female half of humanity are ready to give everything for a couple of new photographs. And today, with the development of information technology and technology, this has become even more relevant. New phones with high-quality cameras, professional cameras, laptops and tablets with photo and video capabilities, and this is only half of what the modern market provides us with. And what about social networks that draw users into their worlds, craving more and more new photos?

Modern girls suffer from real “photomania”, besides the fact that they take pictures of everything and anything, from pets, new shoes, lunch rations and everyone around them, they never forget to pamper themselves with another photo shoot, sacrificing a huge part of their time for this. And if half of them can handle a photo of a pet, then taking a high-quality photo with a full-length image of yourself is a much more difficult task.

Beautiful photographs today are the key to the success of modern girls, most of whom spend all night long in the vastness of the World Wide Web in search of their betrothed. According to statistics over the past couple of years, the number of Internet novels that ended happy wedding, has grown several times. And this is just the beginning. Soon real acquaintances will become such a rarity that they will surprise us just like our grandmothers did with a touchscreen tablet.

What did you think? The world is in constant development; technologies, views and methods for solving specific problems are also developing. Why, say, should a young lady put on her best dresses, paint her lips with gloss and go to restaurants and exhibitions in search of her chosen one, if it is much easier to do a high-quality photo shoot, post the photo on a social network and just wait for the result. The costs are lower, and the effect is quite long-term. I'll tell you a secret, many people do this. For lack of free time, and sometimes just desire, modern young ladies try to charm “princes” with pixelated images. Well, in order for everything to be successful, the photographs must be not just amateur, but at least semi-professional. To do this, you will need a skilled photographer, a good camera and, most importantly, your skills as a “model”. Many people have trouble with the latter; some, in their desire to look relaxed and at ease, multiply their efforts, which looks even more pretentious and ridiculous. Some people want to create the image of a fatal temptress, without taking into account how it will look in the photo, while others are not at all friendly with the camera. If some of these problems are familiar to you or you just want to improve your “modeling” skills, here are a couple useful tips, which will tell you how best to pose and what to consider when working with the camera.

Facial expression

Even if you are taking a full-length photograph and your face is not a close-up, this is not a reason not to pay due attention to it. After all, even the slightest detail can ruin the entire photo.

Any professional photographer will tell you that the most important thing is your mood. If you feel free and relaxed, the camera will reciprocate your feelings; excessive modesty, tightness and stupid embarrassment have no place here. If your soul rejoices and asks to come out, be sure to express it through your smile, which should be sincere, relaxed and attractive. If you don’t want to smile, don’t force it. Let your face be serious and mysterious, it's better than a stupid grin.

Under no circumstances should you pout your lips like Ponochka the duck in DuckTales. Firstly, because you are not a duck, and secondly, it is simply ugly, and recently it has even become an unnecessary reason for jokes and ridicule. If you want to show all your sensuality, it is better to open your mouth a little, which will make your lips sexier and your image natural. Practice in front of a mirror; a standard smile is not the limit of your capabilities.

You don’t have to look directly at the camera, try looking away or raising your eyes, a little coquetry and mystery definitely won’t hurt you. Be careful with looking from under your brows; instead of a fatal beauty, you may end up with a completely opposite image: the forehead will be too large and wide, the nose will also become larger, and the lips will not be shown from the most favorable angle.

Full height

Full length photographs the hard part shooting. In order for you to look sophisticated, and most importantly proportionally, special skill is required. First, don't slouch, lift your shoulders, retract your head, or arch your back. In general, act natural and relaxed in front of the camera.

It is best to bend one leg at the knee, this will add additional curves to your silhouette and you will definitely not look too tense.

We also do not recommend standing directly facing the camera; it is better to choose a half-sided position or turning 45 degrees.

The legs should not stand at attention. Stand either with one leg bent at the knee, or on tiptoes, or shoulder-width apart, focusing on one leg.

Your hands should also not dangle idle, do something with them: put them on your waist, use them to brush your hair or lift them up. By the way, in the latter case, you will kill two birds with one stone: take a beautiful pose and be able to visually retract your stomach.

The main thing is that your hands are completely relaxed, no clenched fingers or fists. Just before shooting, you can shake your brushes several times, this will help you hide tension.

Sitting

Seated portraits are another unexplored area beyond the reach of inexperienced “models.” Never sit with your feet perpendicular to the floor. It’s better to turn around a little, relax, cross your legs or clasp one of them with your hands, lifting it up a little.

When sitting, keep your back straight and tilt your head to the side. This universal and effective advice will help make any photo successful.

If you're sitting on a chair, experiment with it. You don't have to take a boring standard pose. Sitting facing the back and placing your legs wider, you can take an interesting and very lively photo.

And the last rule, try to place your legs only on your toes, this will make them slimmer, sleeker and longer.

Top/Bottom

Shooting from above or below is one of the most extravagant. If you follow all the tips and instructions, you will look fantastic. However, without knowing a few rules, you risk looking funny and ridiculous.

A photo taken from below can visually elongate your legs. Try standing with your back to the photographer and looking over your shoulder. As a result, you will get a spectacular and very daring photo.

Taking a selfie, like working on a self-portrait, can rightfully be called a form of art. After all, knowing the world always begins with knowing yourself. If you urgently need a beautiful photograph, but no one is around to help with it, it doesn’t matter. You can always take a beautiful selfie. And for this it is not at all necessary to have the latest model phone with the most modern camera - just follow a few simple rules.

Anyone can take a selfie

Recently, the question of how to beautifully photograph yourself has become very relevant. Not a single beauty goes out without a mobile phone; they take gadgets with them on any vacation or to an event. Mobile phones equipped with cameras, and some models have two. At the same time, the front camera is specially designed so that a girl can take beautiful pictures of herself. How to do this will be discussed in this article.

Hand position

Hands are a part of the body that is unfairly deprived of attention when taking selfies. However, you can give your photos a certain mood if you experiment a little with the position of one hand on the body or face. Also, do not forget that there should be no open palms in the frame. Hands should only be removed from the side. Poor placement of your free hand can degrade your photography. After all, hands convey stiffness and tension. If you wish, you can take some object in your hand - for example, a toy or a flower.

Turn your head

Those girls who are wondering how to beautifully photograph themselves should remember: a skillfully created selfie should be indistinguishable from a photo taken by a friend. No one will guess that this is a self-portrait and not the work of a professional photographer. First of all, you need to choose the right angle. And one of the most advantageous options is the head turned half a turn. This way you can visually make your face smaller and emphasize sharp cheekbones. If you try to take pictures “as if for a passport,” then the result is unlikely to please you. The camera can even demonstrate those disadvantages that would be invisible from other angles.

Since taking a beautiful photograph of your face yourself is the easiest task for selfie lovers, here to get a good selfie it is enough to follow the most simple rules. Sometimes you can turn your head even a few millimeters to the side. This will be unnoticed, but will significantly affect the perception of the photograph.

Many girls are interested in how to beautifully photograph themselves at home. In any setting, when taking a selfie, it is important to adhere to the main rule: the eyes should be expressed as clearly as possible, and other parts of the body should not be distorted. To do this, you need to either turn your head to the side or raise your chin slightly. Sometimes when taking a selfie, your nose turns out to be too enlarged. This can be avoided by holding the camera slightly upward.

Photo standing

By following these simple rules, you can solve the question of how to beautifully photograph yourself at home. Poses for a selfie, as for regular photography, can be very different - standing, lying, sitting, with emphasis on any surface. One of the most popular poses is standing. The only thing about taking selfies while standing (as in most other poses) is that you need to stand in front of a mirror to take them. Those who would like to take a selfie in this position should remember: it should not be a standing position. Try to keep all the muscles of your body in a relaxed position, but keep your back straight. If you don’t want to appear older, you should avoid leaning forward towards the camera. If you get too close to the lens, skin imperfections may become visible in the photo.

One of the most popular standing poses is called Triumphant. To perform it, you need to bend your arm above your head and bend one leg. The chest should be as tight as possible and slightly tilted forward. Another pose that all selfie lovers like is called “Supermodel”. To perform it, you need to lean on a tree, a car, or the wall of a house and cross your legs. Your free hand can lie on the wall or play with your hair. To make a photo in a standing position look beautiful, it is best to concentrate all the weight of the body on one leg, while simulating a calm walk.

How to beautifully photograph your feet yourself? Taking a photo of your feet

The first thing to remember when taking a photo like this is to wear nice shoes. It should match your skin color as closely as possible. You can visually lengthen your legs with beige shoes. Also, before taking a photo, you can use a bronzer - a product that will give your legs radiance and a beautiful shade. Another way to visually lengthen your legs is to stand on your tiptoes.

For many girls who like to take selfies, the question is how to beautifully photograph your own legs while lying down. To make the photo truly aesthetic, you should use the previous tips - white skin is unlikely to be attractive in a selfie. If you don’t have bronzer on hand, you can solve the problem by simply wearing beige tights. You should not choose tights with a high lycra content - because then your legs will shine unnaturally in the photo. It is worth remembering that a photograph of feet in shoes will always look much more aesthetically pleasing than without shoes or boots. In addition to bronzer, you can apply a little body oil or cream with pearlescent particles to your legs.

Take a photo of yourself sideways

We looked at how to beautifully photograph yourself from different angles. There is one more pose left - sideways. Of course, for many it will not be the most convenient, but it is quite possible to take a beautiful photo using a mirror. In such a selfie, the figure always looks slimmer, folds of fat are, as a rule, almost invisible, and the girl seems taller.

However, from this angle, special attention should be paid to clothing. It should be the right size. After all, if the clothes are tight, it will be difficult to move. If things are too big and baggy, this will add weight.

To take a good selfie, you need to stand sideways to the mirror and try to arch your back in the shape of the English letter S. It is better to place your free hand on your hips or waist area. In this pose, the body weight should be distributed on only one leg, and the other should be as relaxed as possible. Also, if you have long beautiful hair, they can be demonstrated in a selfie. To do this, you need to throw your head on its side and bow your head a little.

Selfie in a dress

Such photographs always turn out very feminine and beautiful. It doesn't matter what length or color the dress is, your photos will be filled with positive energy. When taking such a selfie, it is worth remembering that the clothes should be combined with the external environment. For example, if you evening dress, then taking pictures against the backdrop of the kitchen will not be entirely appropriate. You need to stand straight free hand put it on the waist or pull it down the hem of the dress. If you need to show off your figure with a selfie, then you should choose a tight dress and stand sideways to the mirror.

What to avoid

Let's look at a few rules without which it is impossible to photograph yourself beautifully. As soon as some ladies forget about these basic principles, their photographs come out not as aesthetically pleasing as they could be.

• Firstly, you shouldn’t make your lips “bow” - it looks unnatural and can be unpleasant for many visitors to your page on social networks.
• Also, girls should not take pictures from low points - it is better to hold the camera higher. Low angle shots are more suitable for guys.
• Also, do not retouch photos using blue, purple, red and other shades. As a rule, this is done using special plugins. But all these colors were previously used by professional photographers as parodies of classic works.
• Since it is almost impossible to take a beautiful picture of yourself on your phone in a dark room, you should choose more illuminated places for selfies. You should avoid taking selfies in any dark rooms or dark places outdoors. No matter how high-quality cameras are, they can ruin photos in dark places.