With a couple of pro tips, anyone can learn how to smile in pictures. Once you know the following, you'll feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

A genuine-looking smile is difficult to fake, but you can bring on a real smile easily. Before taking the photo, think of something that makes you smile or laugh, and your face will naturally react. Your mouth will not only look great, but your eyes will smile too – a fundamental difference between real and fake smiles. And remember that smiles are contagious! If you want your face to light up, look for other people who are beaming, too. 

You may think that some people are just natural in photos. The truth is, it takes practice. Practice your ideal smile in the mirror, or use your phone or webcam to see how you look on camera. Try different smiles to see which look good on you and give you confidence – broad all-teeth smiles, slight smiles, smirks, or whatever comes naturally. Try different angles and postures, too. Raising the camera slightly above you, tilting your chin a certain way, or standing up a little straighter can make a big difference.

You may have already noticed you have some quirks in photos. For example, some people have a slightly crooked smile and may need to smile "harder" on one side to compensate. Other people accidentally squint their eyes in photos because they smile so big, and may need to open their eyes wider before a picture. When you’re practicing in front of the mirror, you can try different ways to compensate for these quirks. However, remember that nobody is looking at us as hard as we think they are in photos – you’ll be surprised how many so-called quirks other people haven’t even noticed!

Very few photos or selfies are like a passport photo: facing the camera straight-on. One study in Frontiers in Psychology reported that people tended to angle the left sides of their faces toward the camera when taking selfies. The next time you pose for a selfie, try tilting your face at different angles toward the camera to see if it makes a difference. You might find that one side in particular looks much more flattering on you, so you can put your best side forward next time the camera comes out!

Lighting can make an incredible difference to how you look in a photo. Here are some tips for capturing yourself in the best possible light:

• Take photos in natural light whenever possible. Rather than bright sunlight, go for the soft, diffuse light of the “golden hour’ right before sunset if you can. This is ideal for making your skin look smoother and your teeth brighter. 
• If indoors, face the light source and make sure that you’re not standing directly under it. This will highlight your face without creating awkward shadows or emphasizing dark under-eye circles.
• Stay away from harsh indoor lighting. It highlights every blemish and wrinkle, makes your skin look washed out, and gives your teeth a yellow tinge.
• Stay away from screens and computers too, as the display can cast odd and unflattering colors.

If you feel self-conscious about your teeth appearing stained or dull, there are some products you can use or treatments from your dentist that can make your smile brighter. These include:

• Home whitening products like those in the Colgate® Optic White® range.
• Professional whitening

Your dentist can recommend the best treatment or product for you.

If you're still feeling self-conscious, talk with your dentist about alternative options for improving your smile. Some of these include tooth bonding or veneers, regular professional cleanings and orthodontic work.

You deserve to love pictures of yourself. Remember these tips, practice smiling and finding good angles, and you'll be ready for the next selfie session or photoshoot in no time.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.