While it’s still a bit of a way off, the end of the school year is coming up fast. And that may mean you’re looking forward to getting your picture taken for the yearbook. If you want to take a really great school yearbook photo this year, read these tips and tricks. You only get one shot to get it right, and your friends and classmates will forever remember you by your [kwlink 5948]yearbook photo. Here’s how to look good and natural.
Practice Smiling
The first and easiest thing you can do to make sure your yearbook photo turns out great this year is to spend some time at home practicing your smile in front of the mirror. This might sound cheesy and even a bit conceited, but figuring out how to make a natural-looking smile for the camera takes some prep work ahead of time.
Don’t Make Big Changes to Your Appearance
You might be tempted to get a drastic new do or a daring piercing the day before your photo shoot, but we highly recommend you hold off on making any big changes to your natural everyday look until after you’ve had your picture taken for the yearbook. Some basic don’ts in this category include: don’t try out a new acne cream that may cause your skin to look red and irritated and don’t cut or dye your hair in a big way, either. It may turn out looking good after all, but then again, it may not.
Choose Your Angle
For most people a straight-on shot works best for a yearbook photo. Save those cheesy poses – the over-the-shoulder shot or hand-on-the-chin pose – for your personal photo album.
Color Wonderful
Choose the colors you wear for your photo wisely. In yearbook pix, lots of people look better in darker colors like brown, navy and purple because they draw more attention to your face than lighter colors. On the flip side, white really isn’t the greatest choice for a photo because it can make your skin look grey, especially if you’re naturally pale. Stay away from super-bright colors, too – neon pink, bright yellow and electric blue should be avoided, unless you are sure you can pull them off.
Keep It Simple
Don’t over-accessorize on the day of your yearbook photo shoot. Big earrings and busy patterns will only draw attention to themselves and away from your face and smile. The same goes for your hair and makeup. Style your hair as usual, brush your teeth and perhaps apply a little lip gloss – the less is more approach often works the best.
Photo Prep
Make sure you plan out what you want to wear ahead of time. You don’t want to be rushing around on the morning of the yearbook shoot trying to decide what to wear, and you certainly don’t want to find out your favorite outfit is in the laundry that day! You should also leave yourself plenty of time to get ready in the morning. Do your hair and, if you’re wearing it, makeup in the morning before school and do a quick touchup right before you face the camera. Do a quick check in the mirror to make sure there’s no lunch on your face or parsley in your teeth, and practice that winning smile one more before you sit down for the photographer.
Posture Points
Whatever you do, don’t slouch! Hold your head up high, look straight into the camera and smile!
Sneak a Peek
If you can, preview the photo before the photographer saves it and move on to the next person in line. That way, if you don’t like it, you can ask him or her to do it again.
Final Tips
- Be yourself: You want your yearbook photo to look like you, so choose something you like to wear and smile in a way that’s natural for you.
- Go for a polished but low-maintenance look: Tame stray hairs with a lightweight gel or mousse and, if you wear makeup, choose neutral colors, non-caking foundation and, if you’re looking a little shiny, a very light dusting of powder.
- Head tilt: Try angling your head slightly up and down when you practice smiling in the mirror on your own. You may find your facial features look better in one angle than another.
- Bring a comb or brush to school: You never know when stray hairs may make a surprise visit.
- It’s all in the eyes: Your eyes are the most important part of any photo – keep them clear and free of hair!
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