Unfortunately, beauty doesn’t always translate in photos. Being photogenic is so much harder than people realize, and in today’s selfie-crazed world, it’s a fine art that many of us are still trying to master. Luckily, even the most selfie-challenged can learn how to take a good picture—just take a peek at the following tips from the two ultra-popular Instagram models. Considering their careers essentially depend on their ability to take a flattering photo, these tricks will give you that perfect look every time.
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Alexis Ren, 10.4 Million Followers on Instagram
Rule #1: Find good lighting.
“Lighting is everything in order to get the “perfect” selfie,” says Ren. “Mid-morning is a good time for selfies because of the natural light.”
Rule #2: Don’t use the front-facing camera.
“I don’t use the front-facing camera because the quality of selfies isn’t as good,” says Ren. “I flip [the camera] and keep a mirror in front of it so I can see what picture the camera is taking when the screen isn’t facing me.”
Patrizia Yanguela, 1.3 Instagram Followers
Rule #3: Practice your best angle.
“You have to know your good side—we all have that one side that just works better,” says Yanguela. “And don’t be afraid to snap, snap, snap in order to get the “one” photo that is worthy of a post.”
Rule #4: Use the gym as a confidence-booster before photo shoots.
A big part of looking good in pictures is looking confident, so Yanguela spends time at the gym before shoots for a quick boost. “For any photo shoot, I always make sure to allocate a ton of time to spend at the gym,” she says. “I work out twice as hard ensure I not only look good, but it also makes me feel confident going into a shoot.”