Here I am in outfit #2 of how to wear monochrome over 40…or under 40…whichever. I’ve combined knit, lace and patent leather in this outfit. I should have put on blue tights. Ah well.
I also have a great blogger photography tip to share with you. Actually you don’t even need to be a blogger to use this photography tip. It is guaranteed to make you look more relaxed, happier and younger in all of your photos.
Are you ready for the phenomenal tip for taking great photos?
And no…it’s not wearing sunglasses…although that does help! And avoids the issue of having to delete every second photo where your eyes are shut.
I’ll let you in on my secret photo weapon…
Stretch it out between photos. It’ll loosen you up and make you look more relaxed.
Look how much more relaxed I look here.
My Top Photo Tips For Bloggers
- Stretch out your face a bit. Make funny faces. It’ll relax your facial muscles.
- Put your weight on the leg furthest from the camera. You’ll look thinner.
- Stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth…it lifts your jawline.
- Cameras love angles. They are interesting to the eyes and flatter the body. Angle your body away from the camera and then turn your head and upper torso back towards it slightly.
- Tilt your head slightly to one side, chin down a bit and then look up towards the camera.
- To elongate your legs lower the camera lens to your waist level or just below it and then tilt the lens of the camera up a bit.
- To appear thinner in photos, take photos from above your head looking up. (Warning…this can make you look like you have tiny squat baby legs.)
- Upper arms laying flat against the body will look larger. Try to hold them a little bit out to your sides. It will also give you muscle tone. Putting one hand on your hip achieves this.
- When I take shots outside I like to walk and try to take the shot when my legs cross if possible. Crossed legs create a lean silhouette.
Do you have any secret photo tips?
PS in case you missed it you might like this last post I did on monochromatic style.
Love the blues. And the tips – the stretching and making faces is great for relaxing. And relaxing is the key to everything, yeah? xo
Another reason angles are good, is they can create depth, so it is good to put your shoulders at an angle. I also would encourage people to try various poses. Especially if they are nervous that can help loosen them up too.
You look FANTASTIC. I liked the metallic leggings, but this is my favorite monochrome outfit so far. The play of texture is great.
You are so right! xxx
http://www.stylentonic.com
After years of blogging, I am still uncomfortable in front of the camera. These are all great tips! I will try stretching and making funny faces…I can totally see that working!
What a fab outfit, loving all that blue!
As the official blog photographer has absolutely no patience I get five photos and have to make do, fat, cross-eyed, skirts on backwards or ratty hair. The photographer who snapped me for the interiors magazine did tell me about putting weight on the back leg as it created a more elegant angle but I always forget. xxx
That is kind of why I’m glad I started taking my own photos. My husband’s patience runs thin, plus he isn’t here 80% of the time so that doesn’t really work.
What a beautiful blue and don’t you just look stunning as always. It’s unusual to see you in an outfit not highlighting your waist but now you have proven that you look great even if you don’t. A quick glance at my selfies shows a serious lack of relaxedness! I am very self conscious in front of the camera and overall a terrible model. Oh well. I take a few quick shots, say okay good enough, and then I’m done. Your strategy is clearly working well for you! xoxo
I HATED having my photo taken before. In fact that was one of the reason’s I started style blogging…to get over the fear of the camera.
Those are great tips! I’m going to have to try the stretching suggestion.
True story: I have a post in draft ready to go up this week about how to pose for the camera! You’ve covered some of what I have but I’ve focussed more on how exactly to stand etc – I never knew some of these, like the tongue to the roof of the mouth thing! And I can see how stretching would work – it can be really tense trying to nail blog photos! CC x
Can’t wait for your tips : )
Loving the blue outfit, great colour, perfect fit. And thanks for the photo tips, I need all the help I can get. My top photo tip: if you take about 158 photos, there must a 3-4 good ones…
LOL True dat.
You look gorgeous in teal! Love your stretching tip – must be true, I’l definitely try to remember that one.
My tip? Love your cameraman madly. In fact, just love. 🙂 xxx
I’ve heard the roof-of-the-mouth thing before but never remember it. I did a post called Posing 101 directed by Miz Bagg. I don’t know why she missed all these marvelous tips you share here…
These all make sense. I’ll try them if I remember them. Your photos always look great! And I love your blues.
Beautiful in blue, Suzanne!
Gawd, I have no tips to offer at all, I delete a gazillion photos because I’m moving and blurred, got my eyes shut, or I’m pulling a face at the cats in the garden. I don’t think anyone comes to my blog for professional standard pics, that’s for sure, but at least I don’t mind having my photo taken now (or taking my own) whereas I used to hate it. xxx
Great tips! and a great outfit. You look fab and I love the necklace. Is it one of your designs?
I always love your poses Suzanne! Great outfit and tips. I’d add – pull in your tummy. Every time I forget to do that I have a little bulge. 😉
♥ carmen
Good tip! Especially when you are standing in profile. I always get a Buddha belly.
Another great look! Personally for me, a monochromatic look is easier to on my eyes if it’s a knee length skirt than pants.
As for photography tips, I got none – I look pretty much the same in every photo. I will have to try shifting my weight and the tongue trick and see how my pictures turn out.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
You always look natural and relaxed in your photos Alice.
You look gorgeous in this shade of blue.
Thanks for the photography tips. My pictures leave a lot to be desired, and it’s something I want to work on this year.
I love that skirt. And you’re right, when it comes to the camera, angles are a girl’s best friend. I have an all-smiling, all the time rule for myself, mostly because when I see a picture of myself looking serious I think I look pretentious and emo…and I’m neither, so I feel awkward. I don’t mind other people not smiling, but non-smiling pictures of myself typically don’t cut it for me.
Also, probably because I smile, when I think of it, I remember to open my eyes a little wider. My eyes can tend to disappear if I forget to purposefully open them.
This is a very good look. That necklace is so good with the outfit. It draws the attention to that lovely gold pendant with tassle (can I commission you to make me one? Against a fee of course and only then).
I disagree about the blue tights. This way your arms and legs bookend the outfit. It looks good this way.
And you are wearing a sweater, not a fitted one. Bravo for getting out of your comfort zone. It looks ever so good.
Greetje
I need to look for some special nylon crochet thread Greetje, to make the tassel. I didn’t actually make this necklace, I found it at a thrift store. It is an Asian charm I think. I have made similar ones recently though. I’ll let you know once I get some made to see if any of them interest you.
I do have something similar (see link) but this blue and gold one of yours is different. I like the blue and the big gold, round pendant and the tassle. Which sums up the whole necklace haha.
http://www.nofearoffashion.com/2014/08/amsterdam-and-haarlem-with-daniela
Ah ha. Well…should I see anything like it, or come across a similar charm I will buy it for you : P
Smart tips. I use the stretching one. Moving around gracefully puts my mind in a feminine cast and makes my poses more attractive. I like your blue skirt.
I’m liking this monochromatic theme! This blue look is so striking on you. The slouchy top and lariat style necklace channel the 1930s, and you know I’m all about channeling an era in your fashion!
I love these tips. I’m always trying to up my photoshoot game, but often my experimental shots are scary and I revert back to the good ol’ hand on the hip. I’ll have to try some of these!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
LOL I too often try to “up my game” when taking photos and wind up looking like a crazy person. LOL
Great tips, Suzanne. I’m totally gonna try the stretch between shots and the tongue on the roof of my mouth!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Let me know how it goes : )
Love this blue. I often do monochrome without meaning to. Must be something my eyes like.
Thanks for the photo tips. I also heard a photographer say stretch you head forward like a turtle, helps reduce a double chin.
I try to do the hand on hip and angled pose, but then I forget. I’m deleting less these days, so must be doing something right! 🙂 xo Jazzy Jack
I’ve tried that one and ended up looking like a turtle coming out of his shell! I need to be a bit more subtle about it I think : )
Super shades of blue on you. I always think you pose so nicely, you always look poised and elegant. I saw that you saw Cici’s photo tips recently too, they’re good to add to yours. I might pool your knowledge on my next shoot and try some tongue-sticking, face-stretching, weight-shifting techniques! x