SAY what you like about Paris Hilton, but the woman can pose like a pro. Whether she`s dashing down the street to get her Starbucks or working the red carpet at a premiere, she`s always camera-ready.
Ever noticed her lazy left eye? Her big grip on the world with size 11 feet? Or her long-limbed gawkiness with arms that flail in the wind?
Paris manages to keep these imperfections hidden, she`s poised and perfect, and always has her best angle ready to flaunt for the cameras.
Australia`s Next Top Model stylist Jonathan Pease says showing off one`s figure to advantage doesn`t come naturally. Celebrities make a business out of looking good.
"A lot of it is constructed and strategised and thought out with agents and managers and publicists, to be honest, it`s their business, everything communicates," he says.
But can us mere mortals look like celebrities, if only for the profile pictures on our MySpace and Facebook profiles? Pease says we can.
"Looking good is all about a focus shift, it`s not about hiding your flaws, but finding out what you`ve got going for you, identifying it, believing it and learning how to work it," he says.
Pictures: NEWS.com.au`s Jolleh Abshar tries the do`s and don`ts
While that sounds like advice only fit for fashionistas, he insists that everyone can learn how to take a better photograph.
"I think people can definitely improve the way they look in a photograph by the way they pose, 100 percent. You can make yourself look heavier or lighter, depending on how you stand, undoubtedly, I mean the right pair of shoes can strip kilos.
"There are lots of things you can do with fashion, but also posing, as simple as putting one foot in front of the other automatically shaves dimensions off you just by the nature of make that shape so straight away you look narrower."
So if the camera is said to add kilos, how can we counteract the unfriendly lens to streamline the body and flatter the face? Jonathan gives us his tips:
Do`s and don`ts for perfect profile pics
Posing for photography is all about capturing a moment says Jonathan. "You need to take that moment and make it look spontaneous, not `here I am for the shot,` for me there`s nothing worse."
DON`T tilt your head to the side, it looks immature
DON`T have a tight expression and make sure your face is relaxed
DON`T pucker up for the camera, it looks contrived
DON`T make the peace sign, it`s a posing crime
DON`T let someone take your photo from below, it creates a double-chin
DON`T look back over your shoulder, it seems like you`re too important to stop and capture the moment.
DO tilt your head slightly upwards, casting more light on your face
DO move your head forward slightly to eliminate a double chin
DO place one leg forward to give your body shape
DO move your arms away from your body to make them look thinner and flab free!
DO look like you have something to smile about, by smiling with your eyes
DO bend your knees slightly to keep you grounded and stable
And for those of us who want the perfect headshot for our online profile? Jonathan says it`s all about the "secret smile" insisting that people can`t just turn on happiness for the camera when they pose for a photo.
"Its about having a happy moment or a moment to smile about in your head and letting that moment well up inside you. You`ll notice the cheeks start to smile and the eyes smile, you dont actually need to force a smile, because the rest of your face is smiling with your mouth."
Celebrities can teach us a lot Voluptuous and famously curvy Beyonce always places one leg forward. "She`s got a little bit of weight down there, she turns that weight into curves and that`s sexy. She`s doing that for slimming and also to bring shape and she does it beautifully."
Sarah Jessica Parker is also renowned for her signature stance. She places crosses one leg over the other which Jonathan says is about "trying to look like she`s on the move, as if they`ve caught her mid-walk or mid-event, its a real moment creator."
Paris Hilton, the poser of all posers, employs various looks. She turns her feet inwards to hide her large feet and appear "slightly naive and slightly innocent," says Jonathan. "If you`re gonna be famous for nothing and out there, you gotta work it ... she owns the paparazzi, they dont own her," he added.
Rihanna toys with the camera often stopping briefly to look over one shoulder. Jonathan`s not a fan. "It`s overused, a lot of girls are doing it at the moment and to be honest, I dont rate it, it looks contrived, its over I think she`s gotta find a new look."
Lindsay Lohan hides her awkwardness by posing while performing hand gestures, but Jonathan has some harsh words for Lindsay. "The wave and the kiss? Who does she think she is? The queen?"
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