Every friend group has that one person who takes photos of every activity you do together. It’s a nice idea, but why do you always seem to be the one standing awkwardly, making a weird face, or experiencing a wardrobe malfunction?
To make matters worse, next to you in almost every photo is that photogenic friend—the one who can turn and flash a perfect smile for the camera faster than you can say “Instagram.” While you lurk in the shadows, hiding from the dreaded candid shots, she’s striking a pose that looks both effortless and elegant.
Are some people naturally more photogenic than others? Are you destined to run from the camera your entire life, afraid that a terrible photo of you will go viral for all the wrong reasons?
You May Be More Photogenic Than You Think
Fortunately, anyone in the world can look good in a photo. Being “camera ready” at a moment’s notice is a skill that takes practice and strategizing. Like most skills, almost anyone can master it with a bit of time and effort.
If you feel like you’ll never be comfortable in front of a camera, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the top reasons why people think they are not photogenic, and the steps you can take to change that. If you use all these tips and still can’t get over your aversion to the camera, Portrait Pal can help create some stunning shots that you’ll be proud to show off, in no time at all.
What Does “Photogenic” Mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, “photogenic” is a word used to describe someone or something “suitable for being photographed” or “likely to photograph well.” Many people make the mistake of assuming that the most attractive people in the world are naturally the most photogenic, but this isn’t necessarily true.
It may surprise you to learn that being photogenic has nothing to do with whether or not you’re conventionally attractive or “beautiful” in real life. In fact, attractiveness and beauty are highly subjective, based on standard societal conventions as well as individual taste.
If 10 people look at the same set of photos (or the same lineup of people in the flesh), they will all have different opinions about who is the most or least attractive of the bunch. It’s often the case that the features or qualities you despise about yourself are precisely those that make you attractive to someone else. You might hate the way your nose turns up or your ears stick out, while another person envies those exact features.
Just as we see ourselves differently from the way others see us, how we look in a photo is different from how we look in reality. An experienced photographer uses the best lighting possible and can manipulate how you appear in photos based on different camera angles and poses. The resulting image will draw attention to your best features and downplay your worst ones.
But you don’t necessarily need a professional photographer to help you figure out how to make the most of what you’ve got on camera. With a bit of practice, more knowledge about what works and what doesn’t, and some trial and error, anyone can become more photogenic. The first step is to identify what the problem is. Then you can work toward a solution.
4 Reasons You Think You’re Not Photogenic, and How To Fix Them
1. You Don’t Like the Way You Look
We are always our own worst critics. Because you’re the person who has spent the most time inspecting yourself up close in the mirror, you have identified each and every “flaw.” Unfortunately, thanks to social media, along with filters and editing software, the beauty standards of modern society have become an unattainable fantasy. Nevertheless, that’s the ideal young people aspire to achieve, and constantly compare themselves to.
Whether it’s because you were raised in an overly critical household that valued looks over anything else, or you’ve gained a few pounds and no longer feel comfortable in your skin, you may see yourself in a more negative way than anyone else. Many people avoid taking photos altogether because they don’t want to preserve an image of themselves that they’re not particularly happy with.
You have to remember that no one else is as hyper-focused as you are on your perceived flaws. But these are the areas your eyes will be drawn to immediately whenever you see a photo of yourself, and noticing those things will lead you to believe you’ll never be photogenic.
What to Do About It
There are a few different approaches you can take to solve this issue, and none of them are simple. It’s not always possible to change a part of your physical appearance, although there are some things that can be altered with cosmetic or surgical interventions.
However, if you take a survey of people who have undergone procedures to “fix” their nose or add silicone implants to enhance their natural curves, a significant proportion will tell you that changing their appearance didn’t make them happier. In fact, many people keep going back to get more and more procedures, forever chasing their perception of the “perfect” look.
There are healthier ways to change your appearance than seeking out risky and expensive surgeries, or taking weight-loss medications that are often unregulated and could cause many long-term side effects. For example, you’d be surprised by how much growing out your facial hair or learning to apply makeup can change the look of your facial structure.
If you’re truly unhappy with your weight, join a gym or hire a personal trainer to start getting into a regular exercise routine. You can also take some small steps to modify your diet, replacing processed snacks with fresh fruit, or ordering a salad instead of your regular burger and fries. It may not be the quick fix you’re looking for, but you will see results over time—and you’ll start to feel better on the inside as well as on the outside.
There are other ways to improve your perception of yourself and learn to accept and appreciate the way you look, including all those so-called “flaws.” Talk to a therapist, volunteer in your community, do things that make you feel good, and surround yourself with people who care about you for who you are, not what you look like.
2. Lack of Confidence in Front of the Camera
This goes hand in hand with No. 1 on the list, and sometimes the first issue is a direct cause of the second. If you feel uncomfortable every time someone wants to take a photo of you, the first thing you should do is ask yourself why. It could simply be that you’re not happy with the way you look (or how you’ll appear in the photo), but it could also be a sign of general uncertainty or anxiety about other areas of your life.
The camera can be like a magnifying glass when it comes to emotions. That’s why we often cherish candid photos. When someone has no idea they are being filmed, they’re just experiencing life as we all do—going from one moment to the next without really thinking about it. We’re at our most relaxed when we’re hanging out with family or friends, eating a meal or celebrating a life event.
And when we’re not holding back, suppressing our feelings, or putting on a show, our true emotions are on display (“written all over the face,” as the saying goes). A lack of confidence in front of the camera may simply be the result of nervousness and tension that happens to anyone when they feel they’re expected to “perform.” It’s difficult to turn emotions on and off on command—some people may be good at faking it, but it doesn’t come naturally to most of us.
What to Do About It
When we don’t feel confident, this can manifest in natural physical reactions. You might freeze up, hunch your shoulders, clench your teeth, or avoid looking directly at the camera. These instinctive responses may not be apparent to people around you, but they might be apparent in photos—you could look stiff, tense, and generally uncomfortable.
Because these reactions are biologically coded into your body’s natural defense system, they’re almost impossible to control. When you’re facing danger or uncertainty, your instinct is to make yourself appear smaller. In the days when we lived in the wild, these instincts probably helped keep us alive. They’re not so useful when you’re trying to pose for a corporate headshot.
The best way to release the tension and stiffness you might feel in these moments is to take a few moments to move your body around. Shake out your arms and legs, roll your shoulders, stroll around the room. Physical movement helps your body relax, which can help your mind relax as well. Take some deep breaths, and remember that you have to take a bunch of bad photos to get a few good ones.
3. Inexperienced Photographers
This is a common problem, especially if you tend to hang out with the same group of people or travel with the same family members. Photography is a skill that doesn’t come naturally. You need to learn some basic rules to get your photos to consistently come out well, especially when you’re taking photos of people.
Most people don’t bother to learn or don’t care to improve their skills, and their experience with photography comes from taking selfies or scenic shots while they’re on vacation. If you care about how you look in photos, you need to be prepared to give proper directions to whomever is taking the picture, or you’ll end up with piles of bad photos you’re afraid to show anyone because you think the problem is you’re not photogenic.
What to Do About It
When you’re taking casual photos in group settings, there’s not much you can do to counter a bad photographer except to do your best to control or direct how they take the photo. If possible, shift your position so the light is shining directly on you, and ensure they’re holding the camera at a flattering angle. The best way to do this is to hold the camera at the height you want it, and tell them to keep it at that position as they’re taking the photos.
Finally, make sure they take plenty of shots so you’ll have more options to choose from—this also reduces the risk of having too many photos with your eyes closed or making a weird face because you were in the middle of speaking or yawning. But the best way to solve the problem of inexperienced photographers, especially for important photos like business headshots, is to hire a professional photographer or use an AI headshot generator like Portrait Pal for guaranteed high-quality shots.
4. Bad Lighting
Most amateur photographers underestimate the importance of lighting in how well your photos will turn out. This is true for any type of picture, but especially for portraits and headshots. Our faces are made up of various lines and angles that naturally create shadows in other areas. When the light is only shining on one side of your face, the other side will be cast in darkness. A professional photographer going for an artistic shot might do this intentionally. But when you’re just trying to take a clear photo showing your face, it can result in random shadows that distort your features. You might end up highlighting certain areas you’d rather keep in the shadows, and vice versa.
Bad lighting in photos doesn’t always mean a lack of light sources. Where the light comes from matters. Office buildings and restaurants have plenty of lighting, but the lights are usually located high overhead and often use harsh, fluorescent bulbs—the worst lighting for photography. Poor lighting can have a negative effect on a photo, and if you’re not aware of this, you may just assume you’re not photogenic.
What to Do About It
You don’t have to be an expert photographer or invest in expensive equipment to ensure your photos are well lit. The best possible light source is free and available almost anywhere. Natural sunlight is a foolproof source of light for any type of photo, and you don’t necessarily have to take all your pictures outdoors to use it.
If you’re taking photos indoors, face the window and make sure the shades are open, though you can keep a sheer curtain drawn to soften the brightness. As the sun moves, the light will change, so try taking some photos about an hour before sunset—this is known as the “golden hour” for natural lighting.
You can also experiment with ring lights, light boxes, or other types of indoor lighting if you plan to take a lot of photos indoors.
If you prefer to leave the lighting options to the experts, our AI photo generator can automatically create images of you in the most flattering lighting possible. Once you see the stunning, high-quality photos you get from Portrait Pal, you’ll never be able to say you’re not photogenic again! Contact our specialists today to get started.