Saturday, January 5

Photo shoot me--please help!


Or, on second thought, just shoot me.

Jack asked if he could take some photos of me the other day.  I just got my hair cut and was wearing a new sweater, so I figured it would be fun.  After all, if a guy's been married to you for almost 28 years and still wants to take your picture, why not?  And I have an eBook that will be released in a few weeks, so it seemed like a perfect time for a photo shoot.

The problem is that I'm not very photogenic, so here's what happened:



Or this.



Over and over.  It was like a whole photo shoot of outtakes.

He did get a few shots that were okay.  I like my hair in this photo:



I think this photo is better of my face, but I must have brushed my hair back with my fingers or something.


I have a new respect for both models and photographers!

Please help me here.  Does anyone have any secrets to photogeneticity?  Can anyone tell me how to keep your eyes open when you're being photographed?  How to look at the camera?  How to smile so that you look like so that you look sincere but not cheesy? Any thoughts on these photos?  I'd really appreciate your help!


39 comments:

  1. I love the last one!! The lighting on your face is beautiful!! I think your hair looks great in all of the photos! That length suits you well!

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  2. Well I have no tips. You are beautiful! I love the last photo!

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  3. My trick for keeping eyes open is to keep them shut until the photographer is ready. As for looking at the camera, pretend you are seeing a long lost friend or want to kiss your hubby. This will help with a more realistic, loving look. I like the last 2 shots. Your hair not being "perfect" makes it more real and attractive.

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  4. I'd get in the shade or better yet shoot on an overcast or cloudy day so there are no blotches of light on your face.

    Also, never keep your face directly looking at the camera. Your best bet is to turn your face to either 11 or 1 o clock and look at the camera with your eyes. It really works.

    Also, you don't want to pull your neck back behind your body and it's better to jut your neck out just a bit to give your chin defnition~ not that you need that or anything.

    There's also ways to stand that help you look thinner. (you can google this on youtube) Like above, never put your body straight at the camera on a one dimensional plane. Take one step back with one foot and put your body weight on you back foot. Turn your body slightly to the right or left depending on which foot you pulled back. Now put your hands on your hips. It makes your body seperate from your arms and looks much more flattering.

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  5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QJe9htVjOE

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  6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg0xCkpLhxQ

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  7. And btw, I think these are lovely! ;)

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  8. The best light for portraits is outside early in the morning, right after sunrise. In the late afternoon, just before sunset is nice too. All of those pictures are adorable though. The last one is beautiful.

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  9. Wow, Lil, thanks so much for these tips! That's all new advice to me. I'm going to take a look at those YouTube videos. I appreciate the help!

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  10. I love you haircut and think the pictures are great. Thanks also for asking the questions about getting a good picture. My eyes are closed in most pictures!

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  11. Soft and pretty pictures..love the last two Richella! Your hair is so pretty!

    Love, Linda

    What is your e-book about?

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  12. Really beautiful pictures even the goofy ones, I am like that too my eyes are always shut.
    I have no answers as I am not photogenic and we always have pictures that are less than attractive of me.

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  13. You are a true beauty Richella! I love them all!

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  14. I like the last one. I can't keep my eyes open either. The only advice I have ever been given was to always pose with your head slightly turned away from the camera, never to look directly at it straight on. There must be some truth to that because all photos taken of me in the past where I tilt my head and slightly look at the camera from the side at an angle turn out much better than a "mug shot" type pose. Have a great weekend. You look beautiful in those photos, all of them. :)

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  15. Actually the last two are lovely. I won't even comment on not being photogenic but let's just say there is not one picture of me that is ok. just ok...face palm

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  16. You are beautiful!

    I say, call Robyn Van Dyke. :-) Not kidding.

    I'm still so jealous of ALL the red in your hair! Mine is so faded.

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  17. lol... I was sitting for a portrait once while a 'photographer in training' was nervously trying to decide when to shoot the pic. His supervisor was trying hard to be patient. I wanted to take some pressure off the trainee, so I stuck my tongue out at the young photographer, saw his expression and had a good laugh. The older photographer said 'Take the pictures! Take the pictures!' Sounds silly, but the pics were great.
    Then again.... your pictures already look great!

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  18. They all are great - the first two show some personality! and the last is just perfect! I think that we rarely like ourselves in photos, so you should be the judge - let someone else decide the best! and I think you are very photogenic!

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  19. I think the pictures are fun and so pretty of you! In the last one, you really do shine! :)

    I just try my best to have a genuine smile above all else in pictures...especially the close up ones! Also, for me in particular, if my face is pointing very slightly down and my eyes up at the camera, I look more flattering...at least I think so! All I really know is that a shadow on my face can age me 15 years! :P
    Blessings!
    Leslie

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  20. You look beautiful! I love the last one too...
    xoxo
    Kate

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  21. You have a beautiful, and sincere, smile! I like the last one the best.

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  22. They are all lovely, Richella! I doubt you could take a bad picture.

    Carol

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  23. I have no tips at all (totally unphotogenic myself), but I do love your new hair! Soooo pretty!

    And the e-book??? How exciting! Do tell!

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  24. All of your photos are lovely, what a nice way to start the New Year.
    Thanks for sharing

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  25. if I had to choose I'd say the last one. But each of them is close to perfection...your heart shows, your spirit shows, you ARE simply beautiful.

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  26. These photos are absolutely beautiful!! I am usually always behind the camera, only rarely am I in front of it; but what I find to be the best secret is to think of something that makes you happy while your photo is being taken. Don't focus on the camera...easier said than done I know. My favorite shots that I take are always those random photos where the subject is not focused on the camera. Those are the ones that seem to capture the essence of the subject.

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  27. I should note that I also don't wait for a subject to be ready, I just go about shooting and half the time they don't even realize they are being photographed until we review the photos. Often, those are the best. Early morning or late afternoon lighting is best ... overcast days are awesome for photographing people as well since you don't get the harsh lighting. My favorite is the last one.

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  28. You are beautiful. And these make me really, really want to see you. :)

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  29. I do not have any tips and don't know how to pose either, but I think those last two pics are winners!

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  30. I think you look beautiful! Your hair looks great, and you always have a nice smile. :)

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  31. All of the pictures are great especially the last two!!!

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  32. You can photoshop the hair photo you like best on the last picture. My son did something similar on our family Christmas picture this year. One person blinked so he changed out his head from another photo - worked perfectly!

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  33. I think you look beautiful! Your hair color is stunning : )

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  34. I think you are photogenic, Richella. You are beautiful!..Christine

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  35. I LOVE this post! you're gorgeous and I adore the candid-ness of these pics!
    Blessings!

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  36. I love the 3rd headshot! You are a very beautiful woman. I love the candid shots of you. Your husband did a great job capturing your personality. A great tip in portraits/headshots is...CLOSE your eyes and have the photographer count to 3...and then open your eyes when he/she captures the image. I do this with most of my clients and kids who are sensitive to the light (indoors/outdoors). Congrats on the ebook! God Bless...

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