Look amazing in photographs even if you aren’t photogenic

Photos, photos, photos and more photos. So how to ensure you always look great? Here are some things you can do ahead of time and fairly quickly to help ensure a flawless photo:

Shaping your eyebrows can give you an instant face-lift and make you look more beautiful than you already are. (Note: do not over-do your eyebrows - it takes eight weeks for them to grow back. Fuller eyebrows are youthful looking.

Curl your lashes.

Self-tan (if you know how and have one you like.)

If you have puffy eyes, use Ageless OMG to make them go away for the day.

Use teeth-whitening strips a few days ahead (I like Crest’s.)

Exfoliate and then moisturize your skin - face and body.

Use lipstick or gloss even if you don’t usually. A fairly natural lipstick and gloss will ensure that your lips don’t fade away in the photos.

Clothing - keep it simple. Wearing all one color is always a great choice. Any dark-colored clothing will recede in a photo making you appear thinner. Wearing an entire outfit of just one color—monochromatic dressing—will do the trick as well. Avoid patterns. Prints can be confusing and horizontal stripes might make you look wide. Also, styles and colors that are too busy or fussy will distract from your face.

Good side vs. bad side: Everyone usually has a “good” side, so you should experiment and figure out which side that is. If you are not sure, look at your top ten all-time favorite pictures of yourself and do a tally—right vs. left. This is the side of your face you should point toward the camera lens.

Nothing projects happiness and beauty like smiling eyes. Think of something that makes you happy: go for eye twinkle, not bug-eye. Imagine your pet, your boyfriend, your baby, whomever or whatever memory it is that makes you feel warm and happy inside.

Finally, try breathing in and smiling as you exhale.

A good book on the subject: GoodStein, Shelley (2011-02-03). Face This : Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect!