How to look great in photos (and look a bit thinner)

We all have them. Those photos that we just cannot bear to look at because we think we look so bad in them. Whether we think we look too fat, ugly, silly etc in that photo, we always end up hiding them away in the back of the photo album and wished they had never been taken in the first place. My friend hates her photo being taken, so much so that she refuses to look at the finished photograph. Then of course there are those of us who fear the flash and cannot pose on cue and when the camera person tells us to say cheese we end up looking like Chandler from friends in that episode where he knows the flash is coming, then grits his teeth like a horse and looks constipated. Luckily for us all there are a few things we can do to avoid looking like a constipated horse gritting our teeth.

1. To look your slimmest try standing with one foot slightly in front of the other and gently pivot on your feet so that your body, including your shoulders, are at a slight angle. And putting your hands on your hips can make your waist look smaller.
2. If you're sitting down, lean forward and rest your elbows on your knees.That way you'll disguise wobbly thighs and look slimmer.
3. Brighten up your clothing. Dark colours can be slimming to wear, but black can drain the colour from your face, so choose brighter colours for your top half, to bring out the best in your skin tone (I have to admit I am a huge fan of black clothing and it makes up about 60% of my wardrobe. So it is a welcoming change to add a splash of colour, even if it's just for a photograph being taken.)
4. If you have dark circles or bags under your eyes, try lifting your chin to avoid shadows falling on your face.
5. Don't forget to smile. It sounds obvious, but a lovely smile really does take the focus away from the bits you're less happy with. It's surprising how many of us forget to smile when having our photo taken, and worst yet even pull sad looking faces in the attempt to look happy.
6. Poker straight hair can pull your face down (I should know, most of the time I look like Mortica Adams because my hair is so straight. So for those special occasion photos I try to add a little curl to my hair with the tongs.)
7. Ask the photographer to take more than one photo! The more you have taken, the more likely it is you'll be captured from a flattering angle.
8. Make-up tricks work a treat. Apply a light foundation only where necessary, such as to the sides of your nose or over spots.
9. To avoid that shiny face look in your photo, stick to matte make-up for your blemishes and only use creamy, reflective concealers for your eyes.
10. Flatter your best featres, Apply blush over the apple part of your cheeks. Never overplay the eyes and the lips. Choose between them.