Be Mine: Putting Your Best Face Forward

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

If my recent foray onto Pinterest is to be believed, the truth today is that a single lady in possession of an Internet connection, must be in want of a wedding. There are boards festooned with dresses, flowers and a million little pieces that will one day be whipped into a wedding like cream into butter. Unfortunately, one thing stands in the way for women in want of a husband and men in want of a wife.

Your terrible self-portraits.

At Ryan Richardson Photography, we're deeply invested in the romantic lives of Massachusetts residents (who will hopefully go on to hire a certain Massachusetts Wedding Photographer), hoping that your next first date will be your last. To help, we're going to do what we do best and give you a few tips about putting your best face forward on social sites from Facebook to okcupid to get that first date.

People are shallow, and as I've learned selling myself all over, you've only got a few seconds to make the right first impression and that starts with a smile and having a friend help you i fyou don't want to pay a professional Massachusetts photographer (otherwise you'll end up in front of a bathroom mirror or wasting a lot of time with a timer).

Close-Up:

Your profile portfolio shoud include at least one high-quality head-shot. Whether it's in a studio or in the wild, this shot should catch the eye and give a flattering impression of you. 

• Put your shoulders and face at an angle to the camera, this (with a little short lighting) will slim out your face and deal with any asymmetry.
• Science says that a little tilt to the head can enhance attractiveness, but don't overdo it.
• Smile, whether you've got a broad grin or enigmatic smirk people like it better when you smile, even in pictures.
• If you're overweight, raise the camera up slightly and lift your chin. This will reduce the appearance of a double chin.

Your Whole Self:

If you've drawn their attention with your head shot, you'll want to fill out your profile with some additional photos. The first should be a full-length shot. Ideally you'll be in action rather than just standing around, maybe enjoying an activity or lounging with a good book. This isn't just an opportunity to show off how good you look, it's a chance to share some of your interests or favorite activities.

You'll want to keep these tips in mind:

Don't stand stiffly, bend your arms and legs. This will make your limbs look longer and create diagonals in the frame, creating a strong visual statement.

• Moving your limbs into the right places can hide problem areas.
• If you're on the shorter side, photograph from a slightly lower angle and you'll look taller.
• Try to keep your arms off your body and your legs slightly apart, when your parts press together it makes them look a bulkier.

General Tips:

• Show pictures of you having fun with your friends. Even if you're spending most of your time making vision boards or crying softly to yourself about how you'll die alone, it's important to show a fun and outgoing side of yourself.
• You don't need to show off your abs. I suppose if you're smart enough to be reading this blog then you're smart enough to know that already. Showing off bits of your body is depersonalizing and you want to make a personal connection.
• If you're going to take pictures in your bathroom mirror, clean your bathroom first.
• Take your profile photos on days when you're feeling confident about yourself and your appearance. Confidence sells.

Hopefully, these tips will help you to avoid spending next Valentine's Day alone and will bring you back to Ryan Richardson Photography when your wedding bells chime.