Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
Strike A Pose
December 6th, 2007 @ 3:09 pm by Mrs. Jasmine
I never like pictures of myself. I don’t think I’m hideous or anything– I just can’t take a good photograph. It’s so puzzling– the face in the photograph does not seem to match the face in the mirror at all. Why does my face look so wide? Is that what my smile really looks like? And are those crows feet already? Maybe I’m too hard on myself, but I feel as though most photos of me are supremely unflattering.
So naturally, that does not bode well for our wedding pictures. We have an amazing photographer, Marisa Holmes, whose photographs I just adore. She could make anyone look beautiful. But I still worry that somehow, my non-photogenic face will ruin all our portraits. I decided to track down some tips on improving one’s appearance in photographs (time to channel my inner Top Model):
1) It’s All About Angles: If you’re standing, turn slightly and rest your weight on one foot (this is the classic celebrity on the red carpet pose). If you’re sitting, angle yourself slightly to the right or left. Lean slightly toward the camera and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid a double chin. Most sites recommend experimenting with a digital camera to determine what angles are most flattering to your face and body.
2) Smile with your eyes: Says Tyra Banks (I apologize for all the ANTM references– I am a woman obsessed). Nothing projects beauty like smiling, happy eyes. Wikihow ( http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Photogenic) says to achieve this effect, imagine that the camera is a person you have a crush on walking into the room. This will create wider open eyes and a relaxed smile. I imagine this would be the easiest to achieve on your wedding day: you just married your crush of a lifetime!!!
After reading these tips, I started to think about the one constant in all the photos I *do* like of myself: In all those photos, I’m genuinely laughing or smiling because I’m so happy. So maybe there’s no need to rehearse poses or practice smiling in the mirror. I know I’ll be exuding happiness, joy, and delight on my wedding day — maybe that bodes well for my wedding pictures after all 
8 Responses to “Strike A Pose”
You’re right about exuding joy and happiness on your wedding day. I look a fright w/o smiling (and cannot do a serious face to save my life), so I was a bit worried that some of the non-posed pics might turn out bad (on the big day). Turns out that I was so happy and giddy on my wedding day, I was just smiling/laughing all day. People kept telling me that they haven’t seen me happier and that I just glowed. They also asked if my cheeks hurt from smiling so much and for so long. (Note-my face didn’t hurt at all, even the next day.) Now, our pictures just shine with both of our grins and happy glows. I’m sure it will be the same for you!
I’m terribly unphotogenic, but I’m telling you — something magical happened on my wedding day!
I heard somewhere that most people never get used to seeing themselves in photos. It’s a combination of not having to look at yourself all day and a weird “mirror image vs. camera image” effect.
My biggest reminder for myself is not to smile too hard. I get uncomfortable and sometimes smile too hard when I know a camera is on me!
Alas, almost every picture of me smiling full-out reveals a hideous double chin. Hideous. Only a cute half-smile keeps the chin at bay. It’s hard to remember when you’re having a good time to tone it down and stop being so darned enthusiastic :-).
I agree, it can be hard. I ended up practicing in the mirror in my dress (!) before the wedding and practicing smiling too. I am “all teeth” when I smile and am really happy so I had to restrain a little bit. Practice smiling without the mirror, hold that smile and then look at yourself in the mirror so you get a sense of how it “feels.” On my wedding day my cheeks got worn out so I blew my lips together like I was blowing bubbles underwater to relax them.
As for angles, try and make sure you are always at an angle to the camera and you’re twisting from your core or torso if you’re standing. You never want to face the camera straight on.
Good luck! If you forget all of this just remember to stand straight and everything will just flow from within, really!
I could have written this! I have the exact same problem (and the same obsessive love for ANTM). I look good in photos where I have no idea my picture is being taken and I’m laughing and smiling. As soon as I’m aware of the camera, I look ridiculous. It’s the eye thing - I think my eyes are always saying, “Oh joy. Another photo. Fun.” hehe
This is great tips for my upcoming wedding this month. I hate it when my double chin starts to show.
