How To Pose for Photos: Tips To Accentuate Your Unique Features

FABULOUS FRECKLES

A constellation of stars all configured between your cheeks. The solar system of moles and freckles are the dream feature for any photographer to snap.

A loose curl complimented by a creamy out of focus background highlights these beauty marks exceptionally. These unpredictable patterns can be more pronounced during the summer months or in contrast to un-freckled skin.

Through the eye of the photographer, your fabulous freckles offer a range of unique textures and tones. Naturally sun kissed skin in combination with black and white portraiture best accentuates your dots and spots.

Relax your expression and allow your freckles to entice the camera like they’re supposed to.

Salem Mitchel for Into The Gloss

GORGEOUS GAPS

Dry, moist, maroon or bright red, parted lips reveal the ultimate statement of chic.

Your beautiful gap is one of your unique features and it deserves its moment in the spotlight, even if it’s through a barely parted mouth. Drop your shoulders and relax your face, glance down at the camera with lazy eyes and allow your shiny pearls to poke through.

When in doubt, scream and shout! Gap teeth should be celebrated, especially with a smile. Be silly, laugh, stick your tongue out, yell and sing, your photographer won’t mind!

Try squeezing your cheeks into a pout, or biting down to accentuate not only your gap but also your luscious lips.

Slick Woods for Glamour

WANDERING EYES

Your unique features set you apart from the crowd. There is nothing other than power and beauty that comes from loving your exceptional characteristics.

A wandering eye enhances the complexity of your photograph; it is additional depth and personality. Try using your hand to cover your lips, let your eyes captivate and entice like you know they can.

Don’t work against the distinctive shapes of your sockets; further expose their difference through makeup techniques and the use of accessories.

High fashion photography applauds the unusually wonderful — wink, blink and flutter your lashes when trying to emphasis your wandering eye.

Moffy Gathorne-Hardy for FMD

PROMINANT NOSES

Noses, much like fingerprints, are distinctive to every face they sit upon. Bulbous, broken and bent, each nose has its own unique characteristics that deserve to be accentuated.

Directly facing the camera flattens your favourite feature, so try out a bold profile pose. If you love your nose, turning your head slightly away from the camera will represent it best in all its glory. This breaks the line of your cheek, drawing closer attention to the shape of the nose.

Try to make sure the studio lights are evenly hitting your face, as tilting your head away could form shadows that might warp your unique look.

Anna Cleveland for Interview Magazine

DEEP OR FAIR SKIN TONES

There is no such thing as “too pale” or “too dark”. Vastly varying skin tones can offer the opportunity for a photographer to experiment with an array of compelling backdrops and lighting techniques.

While there is always a flattering middle ground, your unique pigmentation should be admired and individuality catered for.

Deep skin tones look striking when contrasted with deep burgundy’s and olive backgrounds, try incorporating these colours into your style choices too. Accentuated with a gelled light, you’re guaranteed to look surreal and high fashion in your photographs.

If your skin is fair, try soft pastels, there is a fear of being washed out but these baby hues can give your skin a gentle, almost graphic quality. Simply embrace your face and that will radiate through the lens.

Khoudia Diop for Refinery Magazine

OUTSTANDING EARS

The ears are a neglected feature on the face, yet they offer a world of opportunity for dynamic poses.

If you love the large size and charming pixie shape of your ears, incorporate them into your poses. Pull down on your lobes, or accentuate their character by cupping your hands around the curve.

Slick back your hair and decorate them with a chunky pair of earrings — the bigger, the better.

Posing for a photo doesn’t need to be intimidating, show your ears some love and have fun!

Tanya Dziahileva for Vogue Taiwan

WIDE SET EYES

The ethereal glance from a pair of wide-set eyes is effortlessly captivating. Associated with high-perceived intelligence, your wide-set eyes uncover the sexiness linked with intellect.

Be bold, be brave, directly face the camera and show off the broad expanse between your eyes.

An unswerving connection between your seductive gaze and the camera will undoubtedly draw focus to your striking hues. Opt for an intricate eye look; made up of colourful shadows and coats of chunky mascara.

Outside of front facing headshot, let your eyes glow by finding the light. Constricted pupils will show off the unique colour of your eyes in coloration with the distance between them.

Ju Xiaowen for Madame Figaro

LUCIOUS LIPS

The perfect pout is feverishly sought after and has become the modern signature of sex appeal. Unlike other noteworthy unique features, your lips don’t need to be pushed hard outside the occasional cheeky pout.

Should you be blessed with prominent pucker, do not fear, they will be noticed and can be utilized in a variety of striking ways.

Try suggesting a bold lipstick outside the usual red rouge. Sun-yellows, bright blues and glittery gold’s will surely accentuate your distinctive shape.

Posing for a photo with your hands and fingers can effortlessly draw more attention to your lips, but letting your pout speak for itself helps escape the Instagram-famous realm of portraiture.

Samantha Harris for Fashion Journal Magazine

BIG BUSHY BROWS

Gone are the days of the penciled in and over-plucked. Untamed and bushy brows have found their place and they’re here to stay.

Your natural wonders help define your face, so why not darken them even more? Make a statement by dragging some black shadows through the hairs, accentuating your edgy look for the camera.

Raise your eyebrows in question, curiosity or faux concern. Use your fierce feature to dramatically emote and create entrancing fashion portraits filled with energy.

Try pulling the arch up and away from your eyes with your fingers for a more defined high-fashion pose.

Natalia Castellar for Bianca Calvan

LONG & SLENDER NECK

According to Heidi Klum, the best way to emphasis your neck is to stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth when you smile. This technique in combination with jutting your head forward like a turtle is a Klum trade secret.

Lowering your front shoulder while simultaneously acting as if a wire is pulling you to the roof through your spine gives similar results (and feels more natural).

To best compliment your delicate décolletage and slender neck try wearing light colours and pulling your hair back.

Minimizing distractions, including the presences of your hands, will keep your favourite feature as the star of the show.

Alyssa Sutherland for InStyle Australia

STRONG JAW

Androgynous female models naturally push back against gender stereotypes. Use your strong jaw to your advantage and grind your teeth together for that chiseled look.

Raising one shoulder higher than the other will help frame the face, showing off your unique bone structure, giving your photographs an edge.

Therefore, when facing the camera, try jutting your head forward to strengthen the angle of your jaw even further. It may feel strange, but from the cameras point-of-view your unique features will appear strong and sharp.

Lead with your jaw, the closer it is to the camera the larger it’ll come across through the lens.

Saskia de Brauw for Vogue Germany