5 Hacks to Take Your Best Photo (and selfie)

We've all been there. You take a photo, you feel great about it, but when you see the picture... *gasp*! You think you look TERRIBLE! Why didn't anyone say something!? To avoid this, I've made a list of 5 hacks you can use (right now!) to look better in any photo, including selfies. 

Denver Senior Photographer | Take a Better Selfie

1. Turtle

Say what? Yes, turtle. Take your entire head and move it forward, but parallel, to the ground, like you are a turtle sticking its head out of its shell. It feels SUPER weird, I know. But this creates a bigger space between your chin and your neck, avoiding the always feared fat neck/double chin. Try it! Take a selfie without turtling, then turtle and take another! Voila!

Denver Senior Photography | Take a Better Selfie

2. Smize

If you've watched America's Next Top Model AT ALL, you've heard Tyra say this word. It's a mash up of "smile" and "eyes" and means to smile with your eyes. To do this, tense your eyes ever-so-slightly. When I do this, I like to think I am "happily suspicious" to see the camera. Try it! Now try adding a smirk or a raised eyebrow!

Denver Senior Pictures | Take a Better Selfie

3. Roll 'Em and Drop 'Em

I don't know about you, but my shoulders always creep up towards my face when I take a photo. Then I see the photo and I'm like, "Where did my neck go!?". So, to elongate your neck and make it look nice and skinny, take your shoulders and roll them backwards and downwards. This also makes you look super confident!

Denver Senior Photos | Take a Better Selfie

4. Stand Like You Mean It

No matter if you're only taking a photo from the waist up, how you stand matters! For girls, it's all about making curves and minimizing what we don't like (can I get an amen for waistlines!). Start by putting one hip closer to the camera and one farther away. Then put your weight into your back hip. Now, open up your front shoulder to the camera just a little by rolling it backwards and downwards (hack #3) and put that hand on your hip or waist. This might feel unnatural, but trust me, you look hot!

Senior Pictures Denver | Take a Better Selfie

5. Flirt

This one is my favorite! Flirt with the camera like it's your crush. This will give you that genuine smile that's hard to get when someone says "say cheese". If you're taking a selfie, flirting with your phone will get you to laugh, smirk, and act cute. All of the things your crush loves about you! 

Senior Photos Denver | Take a Better Selfie

Explore more: Senior Portfolio  |  About Sarah  |  Blog  |  Client Reviews