We have all heard that the camera adds ten pounds, but what about when you are having professional photographs taken? After all the trouble of professional makeup and a professional photographer, choosing specific outfits and settings and themes, it would be a huge bummer if it turned out that you looked quite a few kilograms heavier than what you actually are, unless of course that’s what you are going for.
We decided to look into this and found that there is both good bad news. The bad news is that it is true that the camera generally adds a lot of weight to what a person looks like, but the good news is that a professional photographer has techniques and ways to ensure you get the best shot.
Lighting
The first thing that can be the make or break of flattering photography is lighting. Depending on what sort of effect you want, lighting will change. For example, a broader light source and a closer light source make for a softer light. Shadows in photographs are what create volume and a good photographer will be able to use shadows that flatter your body and shape. The lens that is used also plays a part in how much weight a person ‘gains’ in photographs.
Posing
The second important trick to flatter a figure during a photo shoot is posing. The subject should be positioned in such a way that their flattering body parts and features are focused on. Whatever is closer to the camera will appear larger in the final print. This is why for example in a group photo, smaller people are sent to the front and larger people to the back. This same technique is used for flattering in a single person shoot.
Comfort
Lastly, although it may be unbelievable, a relaxed and comfortable model will always look more sensual, fluid, and flattering than one who is uncomfortable. When a model is not relaxed it will translate into the photographs as awkward and unflattering. Make sure that you feel good with the person photographing you and that you feel beautiful and not self conscious around them. Although the camera unfortunately does add weight to a person’s figure, there are ways to overcome this tedious challenge, and with the right photographer, they won’t seem tedious at all!
