Don't you hate when peopple start something and they don't finish - LOL I'm not even going to apologize - I'm just going to try to do better.

It's spring photo season and we have a lot going on right now so I'm going to recycle something I've already written.

I was asked for some information for an article by a very good friend of mine Lisa Detmer Bertrand who writes for St Louis Family Life.

With spring celebrations coming up, many of us find ourselved in photos (even those of us who prefer to be on the other end of the lens).

Lori’s top 5 tips to looking your best in photographs

Placement
Avoid harsh sunlight. Everyone seems to think a bright sunny day is needed for good pictures, actually an overcast day or a shaded area makes a better photograph.

Clothing
To enhance your skin tone, dress in bright, solid colors. Rich, vibrant colors (not to be confused with neon colors) will help you look less pale or washed-out. Always choose solids rather than busy patterns. Designs (such as stripes or plaids) can be distracting and even make you appear bulkier than normal. Darker colors tend to be more slimming than light colors in photographs. A shirt with sleeves is much more flattering than going sleeveless. Snapshots do not usually show definition in arms, so no matter how thin your arms are, they will usually look larger and can be one of the first things noticed in a photo.
Bonus: Always carry powder with you before your picture is to be taken. This will help to reduce facial shine.

Positioning

Always avoid approaching the camera straight on. This tends to make you look heavier. You'll look leaner if you turn to the side. Also, a very slight tilt of the head gives a comfortable appearance.
Because most people tend to have a little “extra” under the chin, lift your head slightly when staring into the camera. (the key word here is slightly) This will help to draw up the skin under your chin and neck and make your neck look slimmer. Be cautious not to overdo this one – lifting the chin too much makes an obvious statement . Another tip, lean slightly towards the camera, this will help reduce a “second chin” situation.

Smile Naturally

Some people just don't smile well for photos, and the solution is to try to smile naturally. Easier said than done, right? Try this, think of something that truly makes you happy. This will always give you a natural pleasant smile.
And last but certainly not least, RELAX!
Try to relax when you're faced with a camera. When you try to pose a certain way, you end up looking uncomfortable and unnatural.

Enjoy your photos!