Photos are said to be documents of memories to cherish in the years to come. If you find yourself avoiding the camera flash because you rarely like how you look, here are some tips on how to be more photogenic. Many factors affect how you look in photos, but the trick is to learn how to manipulate those factors to make yourself look modelesque.

Tilt your head

When you tilt your head to the side it can give your facial features more depth, helping your cheekbones stand out and make other features become more flattering and prominent. When you face the camera straight on, it can make you look boxy and flat.

Tongue behind teeth

An old red carpet trick that celebrities used to avoid the too-wide grin was to press their tongue behind their teeth when they smiled. This helps your smile look more natural and less forced, in turn making you look like a pro at posing. Also, try to smile with your eyes. Even the prettiest smiles don’t mean anything if the rest of the face looks like it just sat through the most boring lecture in the world.

Elongate your neck

The dreaded double chin can creep up on anyone. Try and stretch your neck out slightly and push your face forward. This trick will slim your neck and face, giving you an elegant edge.

Pose your body

Much like the face tilt, when you angle your body towards the camera it’s more flattering. Stand up straight, shoulders back and you can even put your hand on your hip to achieve a slimmer body image. Make sure that even though your body is angled, your face should be facing towards the camera.

Shoot from above

A photo shot from above is much more flattering than a photo shot from below. If you find yourself in a situation where the photographer is shorter than you or everyone else in the group is shorter, try to find a stool or chair to sit on so you don’t have to be the only one in the photo dealing with an unflattering angle.

Lighting

Lighting is a big factor when it comes to photos. Standing directly under a light source isn’t the best idea. It will cast shadows across your face and body, ruining your picture and making you look like a character in a scary movie. Your best bet would be to stand in front of a light source that isn’t too harsh, or a natural light source, like a window.

Keep these tips and tricks in mind during your next photo opportunity and you’ll be happier with how you look.