SAY CHEESE

Look your best in every pic you take.

- ANNEKE KNOT

CAPTURING THE perfect Kodak moment requires two things: practice and patience. I learned the latter growing up in the middle of a family with six kids (including David, my younger brother who has autism). My job as a beauty editor and writer doesn't always involve spending time in front of a camera, just as having three sisters and two brothers doesn't guarantee an abundance of chaotic family photos. But in my case, it did. From headshots to holiday cards, I've primped, posed, and yes, sometimes pouted until we got the shot. To help you save time and effort, I've gathered my best tips on feeling comfortable and looking your best for the camera.

Find Your Angles

FOR A FLATTERING POSE...

"Look back through some of your favorite photos and make a mental note of what you did in them," says Marianna Hewitt, cofounder of the beauty brand Summer Fridays. "How were you standing? What side were you on?" Then try to mimic that position at your next event.

FOR A STATUESQUE STANCE...

Stand at an angle, says Tina Chen Craig, founder of the skin-care brand U Beauty. "Position your feet away from the camera. Whatever is closer to the camera will look larger, so extend your chest forward and hips back, or vice versa, depending on what you want accentuated."

FOR A QUICK CONTOUR...

Slumped shoulders and a tucked neck are a recipe for a double chin, so pull your shoulders down. Stick your chin out and tilt it downward for a two-second tighten, suggests Mei Tao, a professional photographer in New York City.

Spruce Up Your Strands