Where do you look when you’re taking a photo?

Are you trying to get comfortable taking photos? Or are you preparing for a photo shoot? Here are a few tips on where to look when you’re taking a picture.

When I first started taking photos for my blog in 2014, I
felt so awkward in front of the camera. I didn’t know what to do with my hands
in photos. I wasn’t sure how to pose or walk in front of the camera. But over
the last few years, I’ve learned how to be more comfortable in front of the
camera.

A few months ago @allisonsaxoxo submitted an Instagram Story question:

“Where do you look when you’re taking a photo?”

I had never thought about this question, so I truly appreciate Allison asking this question! You can add some variety to your photo shoot by changing up the direction you look in your photos.

If you’re gearing up for a photo shoot and want some tips of
what direction to look while taking photos, this blog post is for you!

Here are 8 places to look when you’re taking a photo:

1. Straight at the camera

Whether you’re preparing for senior photos or your next
blogger photo shoot, you will definitely look straight into the camera for a
shot. If you’re just getting comfortable taking photos, it may be intimated to
look straight into the camera.

To get more comfortable looking straight into the camera, I
recommend:

Pretending that you aren’t looking into a camera and you’re looking at your photographer instead.

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A post shared by Emma Cortes (@emmasedition) on Jul 3, 2019 at 9:04pm PDT

2. Look at the product

If you’re taking photos at brunch or preparing for a make-up campaign, I recommend looking at the product. If you’re at brunch, you can look at the spread of food. If you’re posing with a make-up palette, you can look at the palette.

When you share photos of you looking at the product, it helps your audience also focus on that product. It’s a psychological thing – people look at what other people are looking at.

For example, in my Seattle’s Most Instagrammable Dessert Places, one pose I incorporated was looking at all the yummy desserts I featured!

3. Look at each other (if you’re with a friend/partner)

If you’re posing with your friends, you should take a few photos looking at each other. You can hold hands skipping through a flower field or stand side by side and also look at each other.

This also works well for couples photo shoots! For example, Brandon came along with me to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival earlier this spring. Maddy and I were actually taking photos for 6 Flower Field Photo Shoot Ideas blog post. But Brandon and I ended up taking a few pictures after Maddy and I finished shooting!

4. Look into the distance

If you’re traveling and wanting to take a scenic shot, you can always look into the distance. You can have your back to the camera facing the view in front of you.

You can also turn your head to capture your profile. Looking into the distance is one way to also highlight the location you’re in. It helps draw your audience’s attention into the landscape you’re in.

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A post shared by Emma Cortes (@emmasedition) on Jun 26, 2019 at 8:06am PDT

5. Look up

If you’ve looked down, looked at the prop you’re posing with, you can also look up! It’s an easy way to add variety to your photos!

There was so much to see in New Orleans! I made sure to incorporate looking up shots in 12 Most Instagrammable Places in New Orleans and Top 10 Photo Spots in the French Quarter.

6. Look at the direction you’re walking

If you’re walking by the camera, you can always look at the direction you’re walking. The pose will look natural on camera.

Here’s walking by the camera:

Here’s walking towards the camera:

7. Look down

If you’re wanting to highlight a bouquet of flowers or
preparing for a hotel photo shoot, looking down away from the camera is an easy
way to pose. I’ve changed my gaze from looking straight at the camera to
looking down when taking a photo in full body outfit photos as well as portrait
photos.

I also look down if I’m in a scenic place and want people to focus on the location around me. You’ve probably seen other people look down for more wanderlust-y types of photos.

8. Look in the mirror

If you have the chance to pose with a mirror, looking
straight at the mirror is really easy way to pose. I haven’t done a ton of
mirror photos but when we found this adorable bathroom in New Orleans, I knew
looking in the mirror was going to be a great pose for the setting.

Capturing a photo while looking into a mirror creates a more interesting shot. You can show off your outfit, your purse, and the fun wallpaper inside the room!

There you have it friends! 8 places to look when you’re taking a photo!

What tips for you have for taking photos?

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Emma

Photos: Karya Schanilec