Many of you may not know this, but I spent five years in the work world with Nikon as my main client. I lived photography and wrote more photo tip articles than you can imagine. I thought I would let my readers benefit from my vast photographic experience and provide you with some photo tips.

Now I know a lot of you are probably moms who take a lot of pictures of your kids. And at some point, I may share my photo tips for kids (if I am in the mood). But this time, I am going to share tips to help you, the mom, look better in photos. No, I am not going to suggest losing weight, getting a haircut, working out or anything like that. These are simple camera tricks that can help you look younger, thinner and more like you think you look.

1) Never let a photographer shoot up at you. On TV, you often see paparazzi crouching down to take a photo (how do you think they get all those unflattering celebrity photos). No, no, no! The photographer should ALWAYS be higher up than you. The bottom of your chin is not your best side, I promise. My father-in-law used to be a wedding photographer and he would bring a footstool with him to shoot weddings. Ideally, the photographer should be a little higher than you are and shooting slightly down. It cuts down on the number of chins that appear in the photo and you will be very pleased with the result. No one has ever been happy with a photo that was taken from below.

2) Fill Flash, Fill Flash, Fill Flash. This is a mantra for anyone who has worked in the photography industry. If someone is taking your photo, make sure the photographer uses a flash. Even if you don’t think you need one. Flash will help darken the background, making the colors brighter and will help erase those shadows and lines that make you look ten years older than you actually are.

3) When having your photo taken outside, stay out of direct sunlight. The gut reaction of most people outside is to stand in the sun to get the most light. But the sun is harsh. It makes shadows and lines on your face (shadows and lines are nobody’s friend). Don’t go deep into the forest, but stand under a tree or in slight shade (photographers call this open shade). This will also avoid the unattractive squint that can’t be avoided in sunny photos.

4) Dress Comfortably. One thing I always tell my clients before a television appearance or photo shoot is make sure you think you look good. If you feel comfortable and feel like you look good, you will appear more confident, happier, and even look better. Also, of course, stay away from busy patterns (that may be good advice for every day too). Try to avoid all black and all white outfits. It makes the color balance difficult for the camera.

5) Most point and shoot cameras (camera lingo, probably the type of camera most parents have) these days offer telephoto lenses. Have the photographer move back and use the zoom lens to get closer. Wide-angle lenses distort (and in just the way you would expect from something with wide in the name).

I hope these photo tips will help you feel more comfortable with having your photo taken. Your family will be pleased to have these memories of you and you will be pleased to look so good in your pictures.

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