With holiday season comes that joyous stack of staged holiday cards to sift through. And we bet you want to look your best in this year’s festive family photo. To ensure you take your most photogenic snap yet, we went to the pros at Getty Images and asked celebrity photographer Jamie McCarthy for expert advice. The team already shared must-know tips like what to do with your hands in a photo and the dos and don’ts of posing in a picture, so we figured it was time to tackle how to look good in a group shot. Even if your family skips out on the yearly photo op (guilty here), consider today’s story a lesson on how to look your best in any group photo.
Scroll down for McCarthy’s top three tips!
“When in groups, put the tallest person in the middle and arrange people around them in size order, with kids in front, to create a center focus for the image. The less space between people, the more comfortable the photo comes across. This makes a really engaging focus for your holiday photo.”
“Be natural. The best photos are the ones that capture the emotion and personality of the moment when all of the group are relaxed and enjoying each other. Just have fun!”
“Posture is important. If you are standing in a row, roll your shoulders back and keep your face straight. If sitting down, be sure to lean in and engage with the group. The less space between people, the more relaxed the photo comes across.”
Not sure what to wear in this year’s photo op? Keep scrolling to shop our favorite photo-friendly picks!
Related: Is Squinching the Secret to Looking Photogenic? See the Photos
Do you have any tips for looking good in a group photo? Share your secrets in the comments below!