Top Tips For Taking Your Best Shots: How To Be Photo-Ready At All Times

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LIPIVIR

Being in front of the camera isn't something that comes naturally to me. I've always hated having my photo taken, even as a child, so I've historically tended to resort to pulling silly poses or standing awkwardly in the hope that it will all be over quickly. When it comes to living your life online, however, it becomes a totally different story: you don't have a choice but to put yourself out there and share a few snaps of your mug every so often. I'm not traditionally pretty or conventionally formed, so I've had my fair share of derogatory comments over the last few years - which doesn't help confidence levels when you're already aware of your own flaws and insecurities. However, since turning thirty I've adopted a slightly different 'screw you' approach... Which is why 2017 has seen the launch of fashion posts and putting myself in the uncomfortable position of letting someone take my photo while I awkwardly stand in the middle of the street! Taking selfies, uploading outfit shots and being part of wide-reaching campaigns is great, but ensuring you're photo-ready at all times makes that whole process easier and more enjoyable - and the end result is so much better. If you want to start putting more of yourself on your own blog, or simply want to ensure the best possible snaps of you make their way onto the internet, here are some of my own top tips on how I get photo ready (excluding the occasions I'm sat at my desk makeup-free and dressed in my PJs.)

LOOK AFTER YOUR CANVAS
Having great skin and a flawless base is the most important step in any regime, but it also ensures your photos capture your inner glow and represent you in the best possible light. Effectively cleansing both morning and night, applying a thorough skincare regime and minimising the potential for breakouts will give you the confidence you need to get snap happy. Solutions such as lipivir will help ensure you're free from selfie-scrapping cold sores, ensuring you look and feel you're best - and that your smile is full and wide. The lightweight gel can be applied around the edge of lips daily to help prevent the appearance of cold sores by blocking the signals that cause them; the formula is made of a biologically inactive substance which ‘jams’ the viruses’ communication to leave you feeling confident that they won't make an appearance. The last thing you want to worry about when having your photo taken is a breakout, cold sore or dark circles under your eyes - so look after your canvas to the best of your ability!

ENHANCE YOUR BEST FEATURES
We all have bits of ourselves we don't like. For me it's about avoiding showing a weird part of my hairline, or getting a shot of my chubby under-chin (eugh, ageing!) so I've learned to perfect poses that enhance my best bits and hide those unfavourable parts simultaneously. Nobody looks great face-on (unless you're a model,) so turning your chin slightly to the side gives a slightly better perspective; adding some movement or laughter into a photo gives it warmth and a touch of realism, while props, bags or pockets give something for your hands to do too. Standing up straight but slightly curving your back or bending a leg can also help to elongate, giving you a leaner and more appealing stature. Do a Victoria Beckham and learn what works for you, so you can repeat those same few poses again and again!

EMBRACE GREAT LIGHTING
It's amazing what great lighting can do for a shot. Dull days or shadowy corners can leave your complexion looking flat and lifeless, but a touch of sunshine or even the torch of your phone can help to brighten the overall result and ensure your skin looks fabulous. One of the best tricks I've learned is that a soft box can help to subtly bleach out imperfections, so if you're taking portrait shots it's a worthwhile investment; to replicate this on the street, it's all about letting the sun shine down on you without creating too much of a contrast - afternoon sessions are best for this and can provide some gorgeous results with very little effort. If you want to make the results even more beautiful, make sure you add a touch of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to catch the light and ensure your skin looks like that of a goddess.  

SMILE FROM WITHIN
The most important tip of all. Being comfortable and confident in your skin is the best way to create that perfect shot. People won't be looking at your self-identified imperfections if you're looking happy and content - embrace your inner Kate Moss and work the camera! Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colours and ages, so represent and take that snap with sass. I know that I can't compete with the super slim, blonde twenty-somethings, but I've created my own style and I'm proud of who I am (both inside and out); my body isn't perfect, my hair is greying and my eyes are getting droopy, but all of that disappears when I'm having fun and feeling fabulous. People respond to those that radiate happiness, so always always smile from the inside out.

Do you have any other tips for taking the perfect shot and ensuring you're photo ready at all times?

To find out more about lipivir, visit their website: www.lipivir.com
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Read my previous post, How To Ensure Healthy Kissable Lips All Year Long, for some more top tips. Check out my post on What Beauty Confidence Means To Me, as well as When Everything Gets Too Much.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of lipivir; all opinions and recommendations are my own. 

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