Something I've learned in the time we've had our cameras is that nicer cameras are less forgiving and I find myself wanting to be in front of the lens a lot less than others. This is partially due to the fact that I'm extremely awkward and find the idea of posing myself to be honestly weird and perhaps a bit fake even if it's not.

Recently I decided to suggsest liberty lady Avens O'Brien do some sort of guide on the topic. Anyone that knows her name knows she's got posing and modelling down. Within a few minutes another friend commented and said they too needed this guide, forever not knowing what to do with their hands.

Now I suggested she do it on Steemit or her website but she put some pretty in depth answers right there that I've decided to share to Steemit myself.

Here's the first bit, about posing as a whole. I appreciate the brutal honesty:

** The biggest trick is a very narcissistic practice.

Take a day when you feel really good about yourself and sit in front of a mirror. Look at yourself, turn your head this way and that, try various smiles and pouts. Figure out what looks good and what doesn't from your opinion. The mirror is the camera. When you move your head just so and you look in the mirror and you like the "shot", focus on your muscles (mentally, internally) to figure out what they're doing. Your chin is where in relation to the "camera". What does your smile feel like from inside your own mouth? Do you put your tongue on the roof of your mouth when smiling to boost your cheekbones and drop your chin? Which side of your face is facing the "camera"?

Then when you have the chance and someone's taking photos, recreate as many of those internal feelings in your muscles as you can. Where is your chin in relation to the lens? Etc.

Honestly that's the best way to learn how to post in photos. It's terribly narcissistic, but get in front of a mirror and learn how you feel when you look the way you want to look, and commit that to muscle memory.**

And in regards to hands:

**Oh hands. Play with them. Put them around people in the photo, put them behind your back (easiest), or frame your face with them.

One time I had a zit on my chin and every pic of me that I could pose for I kept doing that cheeky thing where I'd hide my mouth behind my hand and do wide eyes.**

Some could argue (even myself at a point in my life) that it's not worth learning how to pose yourself in photos. At this point in my life as I consider my future I would rather learn to pose myself now and not have to worry when taking say, a photo with my child in the future. With the way most of the photos of me recently look, that's not necessarily how I want to be remembered.

Avens thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I still think you should consider doing an in depth guide.

These photos were actually taken before that conversation. They're actually part of why I asked her because I feel a general anxiety when photos are taken that I'd like to deal with.

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