12 Reasons Why We Don’t Like Photos of Ourselves, and How to Change That Forever

A professional photographer frankly admitted that almost 95% of his clients don’t like to be photographed. Some of them even start apologizing to him because they don’t know how to work the camera at all. On the one hand, it’s a psychological problem of self-acceptance, but on the other hand, it’s simply a lack of knowledge of the subtleties of working with a camera.

Here at CHEERY, we decided to look into why we rarely like photos of ourselves and see if we could find effective ways to solve this problem, once and for all.

“I imagined myself differently”

Often, looking at yourself in a photograph, you’ll involuntarily think: “This is not how I pictured myself”. We’re used to seeing ourselves in a mirror, which reflects a reversed reality back at us. On top of that, the brain idealizes this image, masking all of its imperfections, including innate asymmetries.

The camera, on the other hand, sees us as we really are, and as others see us. These discrepancies in the way we see ourselves, and how we really are, cause dissatisfaction with the images we get. To minimize these differences, professionals recommend avoiding posing en face, and instead, facing the camera with your “best side”. This will trick your brain into blocking your ability to look for flaws in yourself.

Bad lighting

Incorrect lighting is another issue arising from the fact that our perception of ourselves is formed through a mirror. As a rule, mirrors are usually put in places that are saturated with different sources of light: windows, and lamps. Good lighting fills in all skin imperfections and smoothes out wrinkles.

During a photo shoot, it’s important to put the work in to find the correct lighting, as shadows can accentuate any imperfections and create circles under the eyes. Photographers advise aiming the camera above eye level to get more light onto the face.

“My nose is too big”

Another common problem that can cause the resulting picture to be mercilessly deleted is the distortion of the subject’s actual shape. In other words, the nose appears too big, while the ears are too small, when in fact, that’s not the case at all.

This is caused by the focal length, which the photographer chose incorrectly before pressing the shutter. To avoid this, ask the photographer to take pictures at different distances and choose the shot you like best.

“My neck is too short”

A swan-like neck and a chiseled chin are not just a dream, it’s a reality. If you feel like the camera has shortened your neck, simply change the position of your head by extending your neck slightly and looking into the camera.

“I don’t look natural”

Sometimes a photo may end up in the ’recycle bin’ simply because we think we look ridiculous in it. An unnatural pose, a strained smile, or lifeless eyes can spoil the entire photo.

If this is the case, professional models advise adding more movement to the shot. For example, photographers often ask models to just walk around in circles so that they don’t get hung up on posing. And if you want to add even more sincerity to the photo, try giving the camera to your best friend who will tell you a cool joke.

“My friends look better than me in the photo”

You can forever watch fire, water, and how a bunch of girls are trying to get the perfect photo together. Someone is bound to be unhappy with how they look in the picture and will definitely ask for another. To cut down on the fuss, bloggers suggest that everyone should be at the same distance away from the camera. This trick will make everyone look proportionate to each other, and won’t make anyone put on the infamous “camera pounds”.

“I look unproportionate”

If you think that a photo of you in full height makes you look a little too curvaceous, don’t be so quick to blame yourself for gaining pounds. It’s all about the camera angles. For a better shot, simply opt for an upward angle by moving the camera to the bottom corner. This will visually slim you down and lengthen your legs.

“This dress doesn’t do me any favours”

A poorly chosen outfit is another common reason why we may be unhappy with the resulting photo. According to professional photographers, the success of a photo is directly related to how you feel about what you’re wearing. To get a great shot, try to choose clothing that shows off your features and boosts your self-confidence.

Also, try to avoid sparkly fabrics, as they reflect light away from the camera and may accentuate unfavorable lines.

“There’s too much shine on my face”

Modern cameras are equipped with automatic sensors to trigger the flash if the picture is taken in the dark. On the one hand, it’s very helpful, as the picture becomes brighter. But, there can be unpleasant consequences, such as shiny, or greasy-looking skin for the person who just wanted to get a good shot.

The solution is to avoid taking pictures in the dark and always try to ensure good quality, natural lighting.

“My hair looks too flat”

Sometimes, you might look at a photo and think that your hair lacks volume and looks lifeless, which multiplies the dissatisfaction with the shot. In reality, it’s just that the camera produces a flat, two-dimensional image. To make your hair look more as you see it, shake your head a little, up and down, before pressing the shutter.

“I’m not photogenic”

Another reason we may not like ourselves in pictures is not knowing our strengths when posing. A professional photography trainer advises practice, in order to easily get the coveted successful shot. Being photogenic is not an innate skill, but a learned one.

“They can’t take good pictures!”

The way you look in a photo doesn’t only depend on you. It’s the coordinated work of both the model and the photographer, even if not a professional one. Try talking to the person behind the camera, telling them about your best angles, asking them to show you the photos, and adjusting the angle of the camera. That way you can get a better result, which everyone will be happy with.

Do you use any tricks to help you look great in photos?