How to Look Your Best in Photos: 12 Tips from a London Photographer

Most people feel awkward in front of a camera — and that is completely normal. But with the right guidance, almost anyone can take beautiful photos. After thousands of sessions at Scalens Studio, here are the 12 most effective tips our photographers share with every client.

1. Relax Your Jaw and Shoulders

Tension shows immediately in photos. Before every shot, take a deep breath, drop your shoulders, and slightly unclench your jaw. This one habit transforms how you look on camera more than almost anything else.

2. Angle Your Body — Never Face Directly to Camera

Facing the camera straight-on adds width. Instead, angle your body 45 degrees to the camera and turn your face back slightly towards the lens. This slimming technique works for every body type and creates a much more dynamic, flattering image.

3. Push Your Chin Forward and Slightly Down

Pushing your chin slightly forward and angling it down eliminates the appearance of a double chin and defines your jawline. It feels unnatural, but it photographs beautifully. Your photographer will guide you through this on the day.

4. Wear Clothes You Feel Confident In

Confidence is visible in photos. If you are wearing something that makes you feel amazing, that energy translates directly into the images. Do not wear something new that you have not tried on — stick to what you know makes you feel your best.

5. Move — Do Not Just Stand Still

The best photos are almost never of someone standing perfectly still. Walking, turning, looking away, adjusting your hair or jacket — movement creates natural, candid energy that static poses cannot replicate.

6. Look Slightly Above the Lens

Looking directly into the lens can sometimes appear confrontational. Instead, focus your gaze just slightly above the lens. This opens your eyes, creates a slightly more intriguing expression, and works beautifully for both natural and portrait photography.

7. Find the Light — and Face It

Light is everything in photography. When you are outdoors, position yourself with the light source (the sun or open sky) in front of you, not behind. Facing the light illuminates your face evenly and creates that beautiful, glowing quality you see in professional portraits.

8. Smile with Your Eyes, Not Just Your Mouth

A genuine smile starts in the eyes. Think of something that genuinely makes you happy — a person, a memory, a moment — rather than performing a smile for the camera. This technique, known as a 'Duchenne smile', is instantly recognisable and always photographs beautifully.

9. Choose Solid Colours Over Busy Patterns

In photography, solid colours draw the eye to your face. Busy patterns, large logos, and bright prints compete with your expression and can date quickly. Neutrals, pastels, and rich jewel tones all photograph beautifully in London's varied light.

10. Do Not Over-Direct Yourself

One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to manage every aspect of their own pose. Trust your photographer. At Scalens Studio, we guide every client through each shot — your job is simply to relax, listen, and enjoy the experience.

11. Prepare the Night Before

Get a good night's sleep, drink plenty of water, and avoid heavy alcohol the night before your shoot. Hydrated, rested skin photographs significantly better. If relevant, get any grooming done 1–2 days in advance — haircuts, manicures, and skin treatments ideally a few days before.

12. Arrive a Little Early and Settle In

Arriving 10 minutes early to your photoshoot location gives you time to settle, take in the surroundings, and let any nervousness pass before the camera comes out. The first 10 minutes of every session are about getting comfortable — and the photos always improve as the session goes on.

FAQ

Q: How do I look more photogenic?

A: To look more photogenic: angle your body at 45 degrees to the camera, push your chin slightly forward, relax your jaw, and look just above the lens. Wear colours you feel confident in, and trust your photographer to guide you through the rest.

Q: Why do I look bad in photos but good in the mirror?

A: The mirror shows a reversed image of yourself — the one you are used to seeing. Photos show how others see you, which can feel unfamiliar. Professional photographers use specific angles, light, and lens choices to create the most flattering version of how you naturally look.

Q: Do I need to know how to pose for a photoshoot?

A: Not at all. At Scalens Studio, our photographers guide every pose throughout the session. No experience or modelling background is required — just show up, relax, and let us do the creative work.

📸  Ready to book your London photoshoot? Visit scalensstudio.com or message us on WhatsApp — we reply within the hour.