Independent photography guide — not affiliated with Nikon or Carson Kressley.

Look Good in Pictures

▸ 03AArchive · episodes/mostviewed/1

The quick-reference card

Everything most worth remembering, on one page. Screenshot it before your next photo day.

Archive note: this address was page 1 of the “most viewed” episode list of the Look Good in Pictures web series (2008–2009). The original list is not preserved; see most-covered topics for what is documented. This site is independent and not affiliated with Nikon or Carson Kressley.

Before the shot: wardrobe

Choose Skip Why (source)
Solid colors in medium-to-deep shades All-white, very light colors Light colors can wash out; solids keep attention on the face (FAU, University of Memphis)
Jewel tones or soft pastels Neon, fluorescent, bright white Listed in the University of Florida IFAS photo guide
A jacket or sweater over black Solid black alone Black can lose detail on camera (FAU, Memphis)
Subtle patterns as accents Tight stripes, checks, loud prints Fine regular patterns can cause moiré (UF IFAS, Pitt, Wikipedia)
Well-fitted, unwrinkled clothes Baggy, clingy or gapping clothes UF IFAS, Pitt
No text Big logos, words, team jerseys They pull attention from the face (Pitt, UF IFAS)

Empty pockets of phones, wallets and keys, and take off name tags and sunglasses — the UF IFAS guide notes they reflect light.

During the shot: body and face

  1. Angle 45 degrees, then turn your head back to the camera without moving your shoulders (Nikon).
  2. Leave a gap between arms and torso — hands on hips or held slightly away (tip credited to Kressley in Nikon’s 2009 release).
  3. Camera a touch above eye level, head tilted slightly down and to the side to soften a double chin (same release).
  4. Lead with your best side — find it in photos you already like (same release).
  5. Laugh just before the shutter for a natural expression (same release). A real smile involves the muscle that crinkles the outer corners of the eyes (Wikipedia, “Duchenne smile”).
  6. Look for the light. Face a window or step into open shade instead of direct sun (CUNY City Tech; Google).

The photographer’s side, if you’re helping

Setting or habit Starting point Source
Lens Roughly 50–200mm; 85–135mm is the classic portrait range Nikon Quick Tips; Wikipedia
Focus On the eyes — they should be the sharpest part Nikon Quick Tips
Exposure start ISO 400, f/5.6, Aperture Priority, 1/100 sec or faster Nikon Quick Tips
Groups f/8 minimum to keep rows sharp; several frames to beat blinks Canon
Flash Bounce it off a white ceiling or wall; avoid direct flash Nikon
Phone Tap the face to set focus and exposure; drag to adjust brightness Google
Phone Portrait mode Follow on-screen prompts if too close, too far or too dark Apple
Background Simple; watch for poles or branches “growing” from heads Nikon

After the shot

  • Check at full size. Nikon recommends checking focus at 100% playback zoom when shooting with shallow depth of field.
  • Red eyes? Use in-camera correction or editing software (Wikipedia, “Red-eye effect”).
  • Portrait-mode blur too strong? On iPhone, Depth Control in Photos adjusts it after the fact (Apple).
  • Don’t count on retouching. Pitt’s photo guide warns that photographers may not have time to retouch.

Go deeper

Posing · What to wear · Light · Groups · Headshots

Sources

Reviewed October 14, 2026