How to make sure your photos are pretty

Taking pretty pictures is something everyone wants to do. Whether you are using the camera on your phone or an expensive professional camera, taking pretty pictures is the goal.

However it’s not always easy to take pretty pictures. Maybe you have hired a photographer and got the pictures back and have been less than satisfied about how the pictures look.

So here’s my take on how to make sure you get pretty pictures.

First, let’s define what I mean by pretty pictures. I don’t mean that the people in the pictures are necessarily great looking. I think anyone no matter what they look like can have pretty photos taken of themselves. By pretty pictures I mean photos that make you smile when you look at them. There’s just something about the photos that makes them attractive. Perhaps it’s the use of light in the photos. Perhaps it’s the background. It could just be the way the photo is edited.

So here are five ways that I believe you can make sure you get pretty pictures the next time you hire a professional photographer:

Pretty location

This seems obvious, but where photos are taken is really important. It’s hard to take pretty pictures when the place they are being taken is not pretty. Personally, I love taking photos with colorful flowers, beautiful foliage and lovely landscapes. Sometimes it’s not possible to find the most attractive background but it’s important to do what you can to take photos in the best setting. It will go a long way toward making the photos look the best they can be.

Dress it up

Again it should go without saying, but dress nicely for your photo shoot. Many people arrive to a photo shoot in clothes that aren’t flattering, or they dress down too much. Consider dressing up for your photo shoot. I think you will be pleased with the results. I know a place where you can even rent a formal dress for a photo shoot. If you’re interested, just ask.

Flattering poses

Your photographer will help you pose your body in a way that will look the best in the photos. Flattering poses will help photos look prettier.

The best light

It’s important to get the best lighting possible for your photo shoot, which will alter the time you can take the photos. The best light is always a little before sunset. It’s called the golden hour for a reason. It’s the most flattering light. The worst light is when it’s bright and sunny and cast unflattering shadows on the face and body.

Good photo interaction

I believe subjects in my photos should be interacting in a way that makes the photo more interesting. There’s nothing more boring than people just standing there getting their picture taken. When people get close, touch each other and show interaction photos look better, and in turn prettier. Don’t be afraid to interact with others in the photo. Just remember the outcome will be better.