How to Look Amazing in Your Travel Photos

Can you remember the last time you had an amazing photo of yourself during a trip? If it seems ages ago (or if you can’t think of any), then you need to step up your travel photography game!

The point of having your pictures taken on your trip is to show to the world that you’re having the time of your life exploring a place. And nothing screams “haggard” worse than droopy, tired-looking eyes, disheveled hair, a sweaty face, and a sloppy outfit. Add to that a double chin, a bulging tummy, and flabby arms, and you have a perfect recipe for disastrous travel portraits.

Your travel photos should not be a bitter reminder of how messy you were on your recent trip. You don’t need to look as though you’ve gone through a lot of stress (although yes, travel planning is stressful as it is). You can make your photos worthy of being posted on Instagram and featured on your very own travel photo books with the help of some tips and tricks here.

Prep Yourself Before the Trip

Pick your travel wardrobe wisely.

While you need to pack light and carry minimal travel outfits, it doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish. Bring versatile clothing items that can be easily mixed and matched. Your travel bag must include the following wardrobe essentials: leggings, little black dress, maxi dress, button-down top, tank top, and convertible pants or shorts.

The most photogenic clothes are those in bright and striking colors, as dark-colored outfits tend to look dull. But if wearing clothes in vibrant colors is not your thing, it’s safe to wear something black that looks classy and chic compared to other dark colors.

Get a new, easy-to-style haircut that you won’t need to blow dry. You’ll never know if the hotel room you’re going to stay in has a hair dryer.

Groom and shape your eyebrows. For times when you can’t wear makeup (like when you’re relaxing on the beach or trekking in the mountains), having well-groomed eyebrows can really save the day!

Get a manicure and pedicure. Because no traveler likes to see her dirty nails immortalized in photographs!

For Flawless Skin

Use waterproof, long-lasting makeup. You’ll also need a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream to even out your skin tone, as well as a tinted sunscreen to protect your skin against UV rays.
Wear just light foundation and avoid heavy eye make-up when taking photos in hot or humid places.

For Dazzling Smiles

Apply some lip balm to prevent chapped lips, especially in extremely cold weather.
Avoid wearing a lipstick in dark matte color, as it makes you look older and less attractive in photos. Put on vibrant lip colors instead.

For Brighter, Twinkling Eyes

The eyes are the focal point of any photo. If your eyes look tired in your photos, that says a lot about your travel experience. You want to make yours open up so that more light will hit them, making them sparkle and look brighter in your photos.

Open up your eyes by curling your lashes and applying a little mascara.
Put some eye drops; this will make you look more awake and your eyes brighter.
If you often blink when having your photo taken, here’s a technique to keep your eyes from closing (or partly closing): close them just before your photo is taken. On the count of three, open your eyes slowly before the camera clicks. Works for me every time!

For a Taller and Slimmer Figure

The anti-double chin pose

Annoyed with that pesky double chin that makes your face appear bigger than it actually is? Try this pose: push your shoulders back, stretch out your neck, slightly push your face forward, and tilt your chin down a bit.

Make sure also that the lens is positioned above or at your eye level. If it’s below your eye level, you’ll likely tilt your chin down excessively to be able to look directly at the lens, thus resulting in an extra chin.

2. The “red carpet” pose

Do you notice how your favorite Hollywood stars pose on the red carpet? Why don’t you imitate the pose for that instant celebrity effect? All it takes is placing your hand on your hip and turning your body to the side and your head toward the lens. Voila! Slimmer and sexier you captured on photos!

3. The walking pose

Posing for your travel photos doesn’t always have to be either standing still or sitting. Elongate and slim down your legs by having your photos taken while you’re walking. The bigger the step, the better. Just make sure that your strides look natural.

So that you’ll appear taller, your height should fill the entire frame when composing your shots.

4. The hand-on-hip pose

Your arms look bigger in photos when they’re pressed against the torso. To slim them down, place your hands on your hips—lower than the actual waist if your torso is short, and a little high above the waist if your torso is long.

Shoot Early in the Day or Late in the Afternoon

The best time to take your pictures outdoors is in the early morning when you look fresher and natural light is most flattering. It’s also good to shoot a few hours before sunset (at 4 or 5 p.m.). Never shoot at noon, as the sunlight is so harsh it will make you squint and sweaty. If you really have to take photos around noontime, find a shady spot and wear your sunglasses!

For indoor shooting, take your photo near a light source such as a window.

Play Around with Angles

To add an interesting element to your travel photos, mix things up a bit by trying angles that are out of the ordinary, like looking sideways and shooting with the camera at your back.

Try also turning your head so that only two-thirds of your face can be seen, and the remaining one-third is hidden. This unusual angle is flattering because it conceals asymmetrical facial features and makes you look slimmer.

The next time you hit the beach, show off your curves by lying on your tummy and pulling your knees up and in. This makes the butt pop, as a gap is made under the pelvis. You can also try lying on your side, resting your head on your hand, and placing your top knee in front of your bottom knee. Now that’s a curvy angle for your beach shots!

Relax in Front of the Camera

If you always feel awkward posing in front of a camera, then have your photos taken candidly. Or do something that makes you feel comfortable. If you feel more relaxed being photographed while jumping, dancing, or even eating, then do it!

Is using a selfie stick making you feel self-conscious? Don’t be. You’ll get judged, yes, but that’s just normal. What matters more is that you’re able to snap photos of yourself with an awesome background. Use your selfie stick more often, so you’ll feel more comfy with it over time.

How to look amazing in your photos? It’s the perfect mix of travel preps, poses, angles, and photography techniques that bring out your best features for a picture-perfect you!