3 Quick Tips to Look Amazing in Photos

Everyone is equally beautiful in our eyes at Somnia, but there’s always room to spice up your pictures to make you stand out. We understand that going through the process of deciding what you want your photos to look like, finding a good location, and coming up with a good outfit is stressful (believe us, we’ve been there). Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ensure the final product will be eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. These are 3 quick photography tips to look amazing in any picture:

1. Recognize the Concept and Mood

There’s no easier way to make an image fall apart than to have your style not match with the mood of the environment. If you’re getting ready for a high-fashion photoshoot, make sure to keep up to date with the latest trends in clothing, aesthetics, and style. Similarly, if you’re preparing for a lifestyle photoshoot, make your outfit more casual. Always wear clothing that fits YOU—not too tight, but not too loose either. At the same time, make sure all of your clothes fit in a similar way. For example, if you’re wearing baggy jeans, a baggier top is the way to go!

In the end though, color is everything! Wear colors that complement your skin tone. Warmer clothing colors (red, orange, yellow) often work with warmer skin tones, while cool tones (green, blue, purple) go with lighter skin. When shooting in natural environments, lighter colors often help complement the soft lighting, with darker colors often favoring artificial lighting. Still, all of this doesn’t matter if the mood disagrees. When you find a good place to take some photos, make sure you have a good idea of the mood of the environment. Creating a mood board is always extremely helpful to become more aware of the colors you’re working with. Our photoshoot with Owen Stanley is a perfect example of the mood going hand-in-hand with the outfit.

2. Bring Props

There’s absolutely no downside to bringing a purse, sunglasses, books, or any sort of prop to add more personality to the photo. Whenever a prop is involved, it helps tell the story of the photo in a way that sometimes a person can’t. A flower can add romance, a book can add layers of intellect, and a purse (with the right colors) can add an additional layer of visual interest. Having a prop provides the viewer with more to look at in a photo, and we think that’s a great thing! Here’s a photo we took of Bijou Perey using two props: a sitting stool and a book.

3. Show How Amazing You Truly Are!

You can have a thoroughly planned-out photo with a breathtaking background, an extravagant outfit, and all the props in the world—but if you aren’t showing that confidence that you know you have, your picture won’t be nearly as good. Bold, beautiful photos can only go so far when you’re slumped over with a half-smile. Stay relaxed in the photos, make sure your body language tells everyone you’re self-assured, and take deep breaths. If you’re ever confused about the direction, never be afraid to ask your photographer for guidance. Communication in a photoshoot is key. Rayann Ferguson was a great example of a person we shot with who radiated confidence in every image.