I’m a tech expert. Stop saying ‘cheese’, when you pose for photos – say ‘yoga’ if you want those perfect angles

When you look at photos of yourself, do you like what you see – or do you wish you knew how to be more like your best self?

Photo editing apps have come a long way since the dog-eared filter made its appearance on Snapchat, but we all know that natural is for the best.

So use our quick guide to make yourself more photogenic instantly:

Before we get to the basics, there are a few quirky techniques that will improve your on-camera look.

Forget “say cheese” – words that end in an “uh” sound can give your mouth a more natural smile.

Try “dates,” “yoga,” or “mocha” the next time someone takes your photo. It naturally lifts the corners of the mouth.

If that doesn’t work, try to think of something funny.

Pretend: A fake smile can look very strange. However, a fake smile almost always turns into a real laugh and you get a real smile.

Another strange trick that works is pushing your tongue against the back of your teeth. This relaxes your face and narrows your jawline.

Another bizarre method that works is taking advantage of a rainy day. The filtered light of an overcast day is super flattering. Go out and take your new dating app photo.

Below I go into detail on some of the basics when it comes to being more photogenic.

Goodbye, ‘turkey neck’

It’s not just you. Cameras exaggerate certain features and give you a different look than what you see in the mirror. You have to be strategic when you pose.

Think about what is closest to and farthest from the camera. Suppose you stick your foot out and lean back: your foot will look bigger because it’s closer to the camera.

You can use this know-how to your advantage. To minimize neck fat and extra skin, tip your head slightly forward so it’s closer to the camera.

At the same time, lengthen your neck and tilt your chin slightly down. Imagine holding a piece of fruit between your chin and neck.

Personally, it looks a bit weird. It looks great on camera. If you’re feeling silly, practice with your front camera. You can delete the photos.

Let there be light

Bad lighting can make even the best looking person look like a villain in a horror movie. Here are a few simple rules of thumb to remember.

● Direct light can create harsh shadows that make your skin look bad. Never stand directly under a light source.

● Look for soft, natural light whenever possible. It hides blemishes and smoothes blemishes.

● Look at a light source so that it illuminates your features and draws attention to your eyes. If there is a lamp nearby, focus your eyes on it and magnify it a little bit.

● When outside, face the sun to take advantage of the natural light.

● If the bright sun casts dark shadows or causes you to squint, turn around or find some shade.

Bonus tech tip: you’re on a video call and your room is too dark, making you look shadowy. Open a new blank document in your browser or word processing program. Let it fill as much of the screen as possible. The reflection will cheer you up.

Find your best angle

Taking a picture of your face with the camera below you is rarely unflattering. So, how do you determine the best angle for you?

Instagram influencer Vi Luong says you should take a series of nine selfies from different angles.

Hold your smartphone and look at it head-on. Then take three shots: one with the camera directly in front of your face, one above, and one below.

Taking a picture of your face with the camera below you is rarely unflattering.

Now it’s time to put your face in a corner. Turn to the right for the next three pictures and keep your head still.

Now take one photo of yourself with the camera at face level, one where the camera is high and one lower.

Then tilt your face to the left. Keep your head still and take three shots (face level, top and bottom) from this new angle.

It’s a lot of pictures, but it’s worth it. Once you have these nine options, compare them to see which angle is best for you. Ask a friend or family member you trust if you can’t decide.

Also take better full body photos

Facing the camera directly isn’t flattering. Instead of facing the camera with your feet under your hips, tilt your body slightly to one side. Turn your upper body away from the camera to look slimmer too.

Here’s a trick just for the ladies: put your weight on your back hip. This will make your front leg, closest to the camera, look slimmer.

Wondering what to do with your arms? There’s a reason why putting a hand on your hip is a classic: it makes your arm slimmer than if you pressed it against your body.

Keep it real

We all feel the pressure to look as happy as possible in photos, which can look unnatural. Make sure your smile is real. Tell a joke or think of something that always makes you laugh.

Other times, a mysterious Mona Lisa smile is the way to go. Consider turning the corners of your mouth up, or even just on one side, without making a full smile. Part your lips slightly to avoid grimacing.