How to smile for photos: the definitive guide

Smiling people are pleasant to look at, and the mouth immediately draws the viewer's attention. Still, keeping a natural smile during a posed shoot can be a challenge — but difficult doesn't mean impossible.

1. Try mouth exercises

By exercising the main facial muscles you can better control your lips. The most popular one is 'the wide smile': smile as wide as you can and hold it for at least 15 seconds, ten times in a row. Train daily and you'll soon see results.

2. Practice more and more

Models and celebrities say regular practice works wonders for smiling naturally. Use a mirror to check that everything looks right, and note how your facial muscles feel so you can repeat it when needed.

3. Relax your face and jaw

Stress and tension show when you smile. Learn to release mental and emotional tension: when you're tense, your muscles look stiff around your face and you end up looking sad in the photos.