June 21, 2018

Are you photogenic? I’m not. In fact, I take better pictures than I do posing for them. Occasionally, someone will catch a good image of me but it’s usually when I’m not aware of it.

On our trip to Tennessee, my husband snapped a picture of me as we waited for our pizza. I observed people of all ages and sizes going in and out of the little Italian restaurant in the courtyard of the resort. I listened to people’s comments as they walked out of the restaurant and joked about the doorstop shaped like a melting cone of ice cream.

He emailed the picture to me and I couldn’t help but appreciate that it was a decent picture. Then I wondered, why are some pictures better than others? What makes one person more photogenic than others? Why do some people have that magic touch? I visited Google and found some tips:

• Add some color – darker eyebrows frame your face and balance make-up; colorful lipstick brightens smiles.
• Dress sleekly – slimmer tops and jackets streamline your shape.
• Stand at an angle – best not to stand facing the camera; put one hand on your hip, angle elbow behind you and position your body to one side.
• Lean toward the camera – a little tilt makes you look smaller.
• Know your good side.
• Squint slightly and smile with your eyes.
• Get silly – think of something funny and laugh to yourself.

Several writer friends and I will be having our author photos taken in a few weeks by a professional photographer. I’ll enhance my make-up to add some sparkle to my good side; stand at an angle, lean forward and squint my eyes as if to say I hope you’ll enjoy my books.

Or should I just act natural, have fun and hope the photographer will snap the right shot?