Whether your saving some dough by taking your family's Christmas card picture yourself, or your Facebook pics are out of date, here are a few tips to help you get a snazzy snapshot, and pointers on how to avoid these common photography faux pas:

1. ALWAYS avoid the cheesy smile! I know you know what I'm talking about, we've all had our moments. You know- -those pictures that make you look like something out of your high school yearbook? Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot stress this enough! The cheesy smile can be harmful to everyone involved. Not only will you look like your receiving the world's worst birthday present, you look like an idiot-- harsh but true. How to avoid: Have someone tell you a joke, think of something funny. Have fun, listen to some fun music, loosen up. Anything to get that painted on grin to go away. There's nothing better than a genuinely attractive smile.
2. Ladies, stay away from extreme makeup techniques! If your like me, you like your bold eye makeup and bright eyeshadows but unless you're taking a picture that is focusing solely on the makeup, stay away-- far away! Most makeup artists will tell you less is more (and I know your rolling your eyes), but it's true. For a portrait, a clear skinned, bright eyed face is much more flattering than painted on purple and yellow eyeshadow and a base line. How to avoid: Stick to neutral eye shadow tones, browns, golds, coppers. Black is fine in moderation when applied the correct way. If your going to go for a more striking look, apply light eye shadow and then line your eye with a bold black liquid liner into a classy cat-eye at the end. Finish with a light brush of lengthening mascara and add some color to those lips and your good to go! The key to this technique is to think Marilyn Monroe, NOT Amy Winehouse-- the world will thank you. But take it from me, it takes a little practice to master the cat eye without looking like you got into your mother's makeup.
3. Choose versatile clothing! If your on the photographer or the model's end of the lens, bring neutral colored clothing, no neon pink or electric yellow, those colors are no-no's. Avoid name brands sprawled across your clothing-- unless your doing a fashion shoot. No one wants their their adorable Christmas photo of the family putting lights on the tree with the Ed Hardy logo stamped across the back of anyones jeans. Thanks but no thanks Christian Audigier! How to avoid: Take pictures in a light and a dark pair of jeans, then maybe two versions of a Sunday best. Shirts or jackets that you can mix and match add a new dimension to the photo without looking like the same picture, this can save you lots of time.
4. Accessories can be a friend or foe! I cannot even begin to tell you how many gorgeous pictures I have seen that have been massacred by overpowering, attention-hogging jewelry. Accessories are one of God's greatest gifts, but if missed used can create an utterly repulsive photograph. How to avoid: Ladies, now I know you have this great Tiffany's bracelet and your Juicy Couture earrings and that jaw-dropping diamond necklace-- but don't you DARE put all of those in the same picture! It's easy, it's either a simple necklace with simple earrings, a bold necklace with small earrings/studs, bold earrings with no necklace, or you can just wear simple earrings with no necklace. Too much can advert the viewers eye to the jewelry instead of what you really want them to focus on. Men, you're guilty too! I know that rolex is your pride and joy, but do not-- I repeat, DO NOT choose a pose that even remotely insinuates that you might be trying to show it off. That just screams "I'm a tool", and also takes away from the picture. And also, most men can pull of a simple necklace or a rosary but not everyone. Don't force the man-jewelry issue, it's obvious to the viewer if you went out and bought a cross choker/necklace to wear for your picture.

5. Hair! Hair! Hair! Ladies, I know you want to look fabulous but save the butte of a bump for Dolly Parton, and the cleavage too. If you're looking for a classy picture keep the hair to a minimum, what would you rather people say "Oh my gosh how did you get your hair to do that?!" or "Oh my gosh, you look beautiful!"... Yea, that's what I thought. The teasing and the hairspray are fine in moderation, but no one wants the picture they give out to other people to look like you walked straight out of a Lady Gaga music video. Men, I know how you are. Your thinking, "Oh I have nothing to worry about, my hair looks fine. Women tell me they love my hair", well sorry to break it to you Fabio, they're lying. Most women tend to stare when they see something they don't like but when they've found that you've caught them they will just make a desperate attempt to recover by complimenting the very thing they were just so appalled with. No seriously, we do. Most men either fall into two categories, The men who use too much product, or the men who wait too long between haircuts and go for the mountain-man, just shy of a mullet look. This is not appropriate. Don't get me wrong, Heath Ledger rocked a pretty sexy, haven't showered in weeks look and Taylor Kitsch does it pretty well, as does Matthew McConaughey and several others that top your man-crush list (don't roll your eyes, I know you have them), but very rarely can any man pull this look off. How to avoid: Women, spray and tease with caution. Stick to a more basic look, like hair down or half up, keep it classy. Men, easy on the gel! And maybe trim up the back a little before getting in front of the camera. No one wants a picture of a jungle man.

   
   

   I wish you the best of luck on your photography adventures and hopefully with these tips you're headed in the right direction when taking your pretty picture!