As a portrait photographer I mainly see two types of people in front of my camera - those who love it and those who dread it. From the group who dread having their pictures taken I often hear, “ I am not photogenic”, or “I never take a good picture”, or “I hope you are great at photoshop.” I don’t believe that you can’t take a great picture and taking a photogenic headshot a learned skill. While cell phone are everywhere these days and pictures are being taken left and right — a professional portrait isn’t something we do every day. We know they are important and we want to look great.

how do we take the most photo photogenic portrait?

Expression

Expression trumps it all. It trumps looks and what you are wearing. A great expression in a simple t shirt will look better than a distant deer in the head lights look in the most expensive suit. Expression is a full body experience. The eyes, mouth, shoulders, how we stand and even our hands can all get into the action. What I am about to advise isn't easy, but it gives the best expression - come ready for fun and be relaxed. I know… not easy when you are nervous. The moment I tell you to relax though… we all do the same things… tense up. So I don’t tell you that, rather I like to think of a photo session as a conversation. We become our most authentic selves when we talk about things we love (our family, our work, even ourselves…). Our guard comes down a bit and often times— expression comes out! We allow ourselves to smile more naturally, laugh, and even confidently look at the camera.

Focused Eyes

One sure fire way to get a photogenic portrait is to lead with the eyes. When someone has a focused gaze it feels intentional and viewers are naturally drawn into the eyes of a portrait. Dead eyes - or expressionless eyes feel like a limp handshake. They just feel like you are there, but not home. There is something a miss.

The whole point of a headshot is be present and intentional. One tip to have focused eyes is to try to read something on the camera lens. This works because it causes you squint your eyes a bit and even sometimes lean in (bonus!)

Lead with your forehead

Leading with your forehead helps in two ways 1) it makes your eyes look bigger and chin smaller because things that are closer to the camera naturally look bigger and 2) you often times stretch your neck out helping to slim the chin and neck. You can practice this simply by sitting straight up and then pushing your forehead out and down. It looks great.

45 Degree Angle

Sitting or standing straight on to the camera is less flattering than turning a bit to one side. Once your feet are turned away a bit you can bring your shoulders back around. It is always a flattering angle.

Keep it simple

It is easy to over complicate a portrait because we are nervous. We think we need to twist in crazy ways and have our hands all in our hair. The truth is you can simply just be present and sit or stand naturally. Worried about hands— keep them out of the picture. Put your hands in your pockets and focus on authentic and present expression! Trust your photographer to bring out the best in you.

Ask the photographer where the light is

As a professional photographer I have crafted a lighting pattern to create a certain look. Sometimes we are in a bright well lit space where there is no bad lighting angle, but other times my light is set to create a more dramatic fall off creating a moody shadow. I typically tell clients where main light is so they can angle their face into the light.

If you are looking for a professional photographer in the Topeka, Lawrence, Holton, Atchison, or North East Kansas region I would love to have the opportunity to work with you. Please look at our professional headshots and branding throughout our website and reach out for more information about our headshot and personal branding studio.