At Oh Snap! we’re always preaching that being yourself is the way to go. That’s because the best-performing content is where you’re just being you – and not trying to look or sound like anyone else.
With years of experience in talent management, our Community Manager Darlene has a ton of insider intel for showing up as your best self on camera. Here are her top three tips for letting yourself shine:
1. A little makeup goes a long way!
If you’re a makeup wearer in real life it can be daunting knowing where to start – or stop! Basically, a touch of makeup is the way to go. No makeup, and you can look washed out. Too glam, and the focus will be on your smoky eye and not your message.
So keep it simple. Do a quick swipe with tinted eyebrow gel to get those brows on point. Next up, the lips. If a bold lip scares you, go for a shade that’s slightly darker or brighter than your natural tone. Finally, add a touch of contouring to add dimension and shadows. Searching for “contour placement” will bring up loads of demos showing what works for your face shape.
Want to see it in action?
In the first photo, I’m wearing some mascara, a clear lip balm and a touch of concealer and powder to even out my skin tone.
In the second photo, I’ve added contour, blush, brow gel, pink lipstick, and a little eyeliner. Nothing dramatic – just enough to enhance my features.
2. No ring light? No problem!
Lighting is majorly important for photos and videos. But you don’t have to invest in a ring light right away. Natural light is your friend!
For indoor photos, set up in front of a window with the sunlight falling on your face. Overcast days are great for outdoor shoots, with a shady spot on a sunny day coming in a close second.
The time of day matters, too. Full midday sun is generally too bright and can cause strange things to happen with shadows. If you can, shoot for the “golden hour” just after sunrise and just before sunset. The lighting is softer – perfect for photos!
Let’s take a look:
- A dark room with no natural light.
- A room with straight overhead light casting unflattering shadows.
- In front of a frosted glass window – what a difference!
- In front of a large window.
- Backlit, with a large window behind me.
- Outside on an overcast day.
You can see that 3 and 4 are the most flattering – as a bonus, they disguise fine lines and imperfections!
3. Posing like a pro
You’ve probably noticed that in the above photos I’m favoring the left side of my face – my “good side.” Not sure which side is your best? Take a selfie with your face angled to the left and one to right and see which you prefer. While some people have perfectly symmetrical faces, most don’t – hence the existence of a good side! Figuring out which is yours is a great place to start with posing.
Next up, figuring out how to stand and what to do with your hands (so awkward, am I right?)
Unless you’re modeling for a clothing catalog, try to avoid standing front-on to the camera. For full-length photos, point your feet at a 45-degree angle from the camera, twist the top of your body to face the camera, then prop your arm on your hip. This will give a more flattering shape to the pose (and your arm!)
Double chin a problem? Stick your chin out and down, and suck your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Practice in front of a mirror so you can see and feel when the area under your chin is pulled taut.
And like your grandma always says, don’t slouch! Stand tall, with your shoulders back.
Feeling weird about it? Practice makes perfect. Set up your phone, turn on video mode and strike some poses – legs together, weight on your back leg, hands on hips, hand on your hat or scarf, glasses in one hand, twirling your skirt! Try a bunch of things, then play your video back slowly to see what works for you and your body. You’ll be ready to create viral Reels in no time!
Bonus Tip: If you feel good, you’ll look good. I tend to wear heels even if they don’t make it into the shot because they make me feel taller and more confident.
Need some more tips for getting comfortable in front of the camera? We’re always sharing gold on Instagram. Or you can book a call for some personalized help!