Everyone loves a good smile, particularly when it’s time to take a memorable picture. As good cameras in phones become widespread, you never know when someone will ask you to pose for a photograph. Whether it’s picture day at school or time for a group selfie, everybody wants to appear with a picture-perfect smile.
Surveys show that North Carolinians take a selfie every three days, making NC the ninth-most selfie-taking state in the country. So, if you are residing in Chapel Hill, home to America’s oldest public university UNC, you need to learn the secrets of faking a perfect smile. It’s easy to appear with the brightest display of molars in the room. Just remember the suggestions we’ll discuss here.
How to improve your smile?
Everyone suffers from camera shyness once in a while; different reasons can make people anxious about being photographed. However, another cause for camera shyness is a person’s lack of confidence in their smile. A survey shows that 3 out of 5 Americans don’t like how their smile appears in photos. If you’re one of those people, this article will help you embrace a picture-perfect smile. It all boils down to one simple thing, i.e., confidence.
Smiling like a face model isn’t tricky when you know the tricks involved in it. So, without further ado, here are some confidence-boosting tips for your next formal picture day:
- Fix your teeth
Crooked teeth can harm your self-confidence and ruin your smile. That’s why it’s important to improve one’s smile by undergoing orthodontic treatment. A study shows that 98% of North Carolinians lived in areas without a dentist nearby in 2020. However, that’s not the case with Chapel Hill residents. You can find the best orthodontic treatment center in Chapel Hill, NC, to fix your teeth and regain a confident smile. You can opt for braces to fix the alignment of your teeth so the appear picture-perfect the next time you pose for the camera.
- Smile with your eyes
Christian Bale played Patrick Bateman in American Psycho by imitating a person laughing loudly with “nothing behind the eyes.” Smiling with expressionless eyes can make people uncomfortable. Don’t forget to smile with your eyes as they effectively convey happiness. A person smiling with sparkling eyes seems more natural and pleasing. When you’re genuinely happy, a glint of glee can be seen in your eyes, and that’s exactly what makes your smile even lovelier.
- Change your posture
It’s okay if you tense up in front of a camera and appear stiff. The trick involves changing your posture by slouching a little or putting your hands on your hips. Don’t forget to breathe; hold your breath for 10 seconds and then exhale comfortably. Use your nose to inhale so you can exhale through your mouth. This exercise will relax your facial muscles so you won’t appear nervous in the picture. Focus on changing your posture to become comfortable in front of a camera.
- Moisturize your teeth
How can you fake shiny and bright teeth? Just moisturize your teeth before appearing on camera to give the impression of a picture-perfect smile. Even pageant queens recommend putting petroleum jelly on their teeth to mesmerize everyone with a shiny smile.
- No Joker grinning
Avoid the Joker grin, i.e., stretching your mouth from ear to ear and showing all your teeth. The Joker grin appears when you’re forced to smile. So, don’t compel yourself to display an unnatural smile. It is better if your upper teeth don’t coincide with your lower teeth at all. Keep a gap between the two rows of teeth to give the flattering deception of a model-like smile. A small space can save a picture. When both rows of teeth are stuck together, it gives an inescapable impression of uneasiness.
- Avoid saying “cheese”
Saying “cheese” doesn’t give you the best of smiles; a few different words can have a better effect on your facial muscles. For instance, you can imitate what they do in Hollywood and say, “money.” This word makes you drop your jaw and become more photogenic. An even better approach would be saying, “honey.” Thinking of sweet things makes you smile better.
- Look at the camera
Remember that the picture’s not just for the camera person but anyone looking at it. A person looking at your picture feels more connected to you when you’re looking directly into the lens. Don’t look at the photographer, and don’t stare. Just look directly into the camera lens as if you were seeing your bosom friend right before you. A plump smile and upturned lips are a few signs of youthfulness. So, relax your facial muscles, pucker up a little, and then smile brightly.
- Use your imagination
If you’re intimidated by the prospect of being on camera, imagine you’re in your happy place. Moreover, you should imagine your friend standing behind the lens instead of the camera person. Going beyond that, visualize a funny cartoon character as your photographer. Your thoughts can boost your confidence and prevent you from ruining a fine picture.
Conclusion
How can you hone your smile for a picture? Moisturize your teeth before taking a photo. Keep space between your upper and lower teeth to avoid a Joker grin. Relax, don’t force a smile, and imagine the photographer is a buddy. Say “honey” instead of “cheese,” smile with your eyes, and adopt a comfortable posture. Don’t look the photographer in the eyes; look into the camera. Try acting a little goofy (but not too much). Most importantly, get braces to fix your smile if you have crooked teeth.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
