A Celebrity-Approved Guide to Clicking the Best Pictures

The right angle, the right lighting, and of course, the right photographer—all play a significant role in capturing a click that could make it to the cover of a magazine. And, although celebrities often hire professionals to meet picture-perfect requirements, they aren't half bad when it comes to clicking selfies, don't you think?

You'd be lying if you said you've never gawked at a celebrity image in absolute awe—teeth sparkling, hair flying, excellent backlight. HOW DO THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN? Well, they've certainly got a few tricks up their sleeve. Brides Today touches upon a few such hacks that could turn your photographs from drab to fab in an instant. 

Capitalise on the Golden Hour

Tip 1: Catch the golden hour! It refers to the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer as compared to when the sun is higher up in the sky. It's THE BEST time to click sun-kissed selfies, we swear. 

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

While you want your audience to focus on YOU, their senses will inevitably take in your backdrop too. Click a picture in a sunny, lush green garden, a well-decorated living room, or a beachy, nature-inspired spot. The trick is to blend in with your environment while making sure that you stand out. 

Balance Your Backlight

Professional photographers often use backlight—positioning the main light source for a photograph behind the primary subject—to add depth to an image. However, this skilled technique often poses to be a tricky one to get right. When not used properly, backlighting can present unique challenges for the exposure and composition of a picture.  

Figure Out Your Angles 

Pick an angle that flatters the shape of your face. Since the lens of your front camera is rounded, holding it up straight might make the picture appear abnormally stretched. Therefore, either hold the camera straight and angle your face slightly or opt for a top angle shot that will make your face appear leaner and more defined. Alternatively, you could point your chin slightly down and look up at the camera. 

Focus on Lighting 

Since natural light works best—as compared to artificial sources of light such as a ring light—find a spot that is bright enough, not too much, not too little. Try to schedule your photoshoot between 7:00 am-11:00 am or 4:30 pm-6:00 pm since you'd have the ideal amount of light you need during these hours. 

Ace the Aesthetics

Another important factor that decides the nature of a photograph is the aesthetic that you go for. While a subjective choice, pick an aesthetic that is tasteful and pleasing to the eye. Ask yourself—are you going for an edgy, dramatic feel or a cool, chill vibe? 

Strike a Pose and Wear Your Hair Differently

Life's too short to frown. Next time you get your camera on, make sure to pose the hell out (for inspo, go check out Kareena Kapoor Khan's Instagram feed). You could also wear your hair differently to add a variation to each of your pictures. Sport a side-parting, a fishtail braid, a messy bun, a wob (wavy bob), or a ponytail—keep it cool, chic, and fresh!

Edit, Or Use a Filter

There's no harm in using a filter when clicking a picture—after all, their primary purpose is to beautify your photo). But if you choose not to, there's always scope for post-picture editing. Play with the brightness levels, contrast, saturation, and shadows to highlight your best features.