15 Tricks to Look Better in Photos Every Time

We asked professional photographers and makeup artists to divulge their secrets so you can look as amazing as possible in every group shot and selfie. Your camera roll is about to look so much better—and you’re about to be so much happier.

There’s nothing worse than seeing an awful picture of yourself, especially when you thought you looked great … or at least OK! When you’re scrolling through your social media feeds, it might seem like everyone else was offered a secret class on how to look good in pictures, while you were left behind to do the same lackluster pose at every event. The thing is, there’s an art to looking amazing in photos, and one of the key steps is knowing that you’re well-versed in that art.

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Forget about the results

Taking photos can be stressful, especially if you have limited time to get the shot or you’re anxious you’ll be the only one in a group photo who looks less than stellar. But one of the easiest ways to look better in your snaps is to relax. “The best advice I could give is to stop caring so much about the result,” says professional photographer Robert Lowdon. “The more nervous we get as subjects, the worse the photos get.” Stress-induced habits like compressing the chin and flashing a tense smile can read as awkward on film. “People with a don’t-care attitude are the ones who always look the best,” Lowdon says.

Not sure how to loosen up? Pretend to be your model-esque alter ego. “I give my less-confident clients a quick acting lesson,” says Orkoskey. “Envision yourself as you want to be seen. Think of someone you admire and pretend to be them.” Doing so can have a transformative effect and help you get out of your head, he explains. From there, you’ll be better able to loosen up and try new things—without worrying if you look too silly, too old or too odd. These confidence quotes can help too.