In jobs you didn’t know existed, a professional selfie coach has shared her top tips to get the perfect picture for Instagram – including why you shouldn’t say ‘cheese’.
Christine Buzan, 32, coaches hundreds of women on how to get the perfect picture – and says it’s easy if you know how.
She set up her business Look Good In Photos in 2020 and knows all the tips and tricks when it comes to lighting, angles, filters and poses.
The selfie expert, from Orange County, California, says you can use these tricks to really grow your Instagram following.
This includes ditching the word ‘cheese!’ – and instead shouting ‘money!’ to make your face look the best.
Christine said: ‘Learning how to pose and how to take pictures changed my life.
‘No matter what you’re doing now, you make first impressions on the internet.
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‘There are four pillars to being photogenic – perception, perspective, positioning and posing.
‘So many people have insecurity seeing themselves in photographs. I want to give them the tools to be happy and confident.’
Christine started out in the fashion industry, working on a magazine where she would assist on shoots with models.
She learned from the models and even attended New York fashion week for 18 seasons – so knew exactly how to look perfect for the cameras.
In 2018, she had the idea to put her posing and photo knowledge into a business to educate other women who feel camera-shy.
By 2020, she had launched her business Look Good In Photos, where she coaches hundreds of women on her posing course.
She also sells posing guides – of which she has sold more than 1,100 copies.
The expert insists it’s not what you look like, it’s about how you take your pictures.
Christine has shared some tips to help people snap the perfect selfie.
Christine’s tips for a perfect selfie
Tip 1: Lighting is everything
Christine says: ‘Lighting has the ability to instantly transform the way you look in front of the camera.
‘Poor lighting draws attention to fine lines and can give the illusion that you’re tired or look older than you actually are.
‘Complimentary lighting illuminates your skin, making it appear softer and minimising wrinkles.
‘Avoid taking backlit photos that are in front of a window, in direct, midday sunlight, or under fluorescent lighting. Opt instead for natural light facing a window, shade, overcast skies, or golden hour.’
Tip 2: Choose a more neutral camera angle
‘Often individuals tend to go very high with their camera angles or very low, which makes it look like your forward facing camera was turned on accidentally.
‘Both of these mistakes make the subject look dated. Opt for keeping the lens between nose and eyebrow height for a more neutral, and natural look.’
Tip 3: Learn your best angles
‘My students often say that they don’t like the way they look when other people take their photo.
‘I’ve found that this is often because they are relying on the angle in which they hold their phone, rather than learning how to pose their face.
‘It’s key that you know your good side and best angles.’
Tip 4: Relax your face
‘It’s easy to get tense when you’re in front of the camera, because it can feel really unnatural and daunting.
‘There are three key places we hold tension: our hands, jaws, and eyes. Two of these are on your face, so it’s important to make sure that you keep them relaxed while taking selfies.
‘Shake out your face, loosen up, and be sure to take breaks in between snaps.’
Tip 5: Press your forehead toward the camera lens
‘It may sound and feel silly, but push your forehead toward the camera lens.
‘It will elongate your neck and help you look more connected to the camera.’
Tip 6: Smize
‘Nothing ruins a photo quite like a deer in the headlight gaze! Don’t forget to smile with your eyes, or “smize” as Tyra Banks calls it!
‘Even if you’re posing with a relaxed mouth, it’s important to engage your eyes.’
Tip 7: Don’t say ‘cheese’
‘Since we were young, we’ve been told to say “Cheese!” for photos.
‘However, the shape your mouth makes when you’re bearing down on the “-se!” part of the word becomes very unflattering, almost like a grimace.
‘Instead, I tell myself students to say “Hey-” “Money” or just “Cheee” Try out all three and see what works best for you.’
Tip 8: Practise
‘No one is born photogenic, it’s a skill that is learned overtime that you can improve upon with practice.
‘The truth is, the more you practice, the better you’ll become. And the better you become, the more you’ll enjoy it!’
Christine can be found sharing more tips on TikTok and Instagram.
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