Not everybody can look amazingly awesome in photos, while many often turn out to look extremely weird (like your driver’s license, hands down) and sometimes awful. However, some people can just get on the spot, pose, and boom, the look like Hollywood superstars even without the use of photoshop, while all you can do is feel envious.

Well, here are a few tips on how it works, like, literally, that might be able to help you look pretty darn beautiful/handsome in photos. (if you’re one of those who already do, please skip)

*None of the ‘representative’ are meant to be offensive towards the SNSD idols. They are all beautiful, and I am just giving them as examples because of a certain snap of picture that didn’t turn out quite as well.

So here we go!

1. Smile or Grimace (representative: Tiffany)

The smile is one of the most important thing people feel the obligation to do while taking photos. And that’s really true, to be honest. Smiles come in different packages, a smirk, a teeth smile, an embarrassed smile, a genuine smile…and it all depends on you what types of smile you’re going to use.

And the big thing is that if you screw a smile up, it usually turns out to become some sort of painful grimace, or some kind of facial problems. If you’re a Smiler, you’re good, but if you’re not, try looking into a mirror and figure out what suits you the best. A sexy smirk? A Tinkerbell smile? A Barbie teeth smile? It depends on personal facial structure, and you just gotta find the one that suits you best.

2. Angle your face (representative: Taeyeon)

This is probably pretty well-known already. But really, you have to try pointing your chin as low as possible. This makes your eyes look nice and big, while your face wouldn’t look too chubby. Also, lots of people usually have a better-looking side face, perhaps because of their hair style (bangs), or original facial structures (jaw). And in that case, try showing that side of your face more often then the other. So if your left face looks alot better than your right, try to angle your face to the right side with your chin down a little (unless your face is really small). It shows off your better features and hides your face fat.

3. Moisturize your lips (representative: Hyoyeon)

It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or guy, make sure your lips aren’t dry and ready to tear any time. It looks especially bad in selcas and close-ups. Dry lips also affect your smiles. It’s something you can feel naturally, so when you know you have dry lips, do something. Whatever it is, lip stick, chap stick, your own saliva, fountain water…you have to do it. It gives more color on your lips so you don’t look too sick, and it helps you to have a natural smile.

4. Be ready before the counting (representative: Sooyoung)

The “three, two, one” isn’t really a warning that the picture is starting, but to tell you that you better start finishing tiny touches like stop moving or decide what your smile is going to look like or what pose you want to strike. But really, unless you’re trying to do those “really natural” pictures that involves natural laughs and jumps and stuff, keep it cool and get in place before the photographer is ready. I’m not telling you to keep smiling like an idiot for five minutes straight, but perhaps think of some happy things that would make your smile more natural, and do it when they count to one.

5. The “Blink Twice” Rule. (representative: Sunny)

This is what people know will happen, but never really are able to prevent it. They blink when the photo was taken, and regret it as the class points and whispers about that weirdo with uncontrollable eyelids in the photo just because you blinked at the wrong time. It’s not worth it. So if you’re lucky enough to get a photographer that counts and tells you to say “cheese”, make sure you blink twice during the counting, and fix your eyes on the camera lenses for as long as possible. Blinking might seem short as a millisecond, but oh trust me, the camera catches everything–and yes, literally everything.

6. No “Cheese” (representative: Jessica)

(this really isn’t the best smile Sica can pull off in my opinion)

Cheese is one of those words that you certainly don’t want to say during the photo-taking. It involves your lips to pucker up for the “Ch” sound, then slowly transforms to an “eeee” sound, then the “sssss”. Try saying it really slow right now, and just think about the possibility of the camera catching one of the moments of you saying the word–THAT’s how risky it actually is. Sometimes the photographer tells you to say something more memorable like “Disney” or some thing random like “banana”, say it through your teeth as you smile, or just don’t say it at all.

(doesn’t she look much better here?)

7. Avoid facing the light source (representative: YoonA)

I actually don’t know why, but it took me awhile to figure this one out. If the sun is big and you’re outdoors, turn a little sideways so your side is facing the light, but not your back. If you turn your back to the light, you’re going to just be this blob of dark shadow in the picture. And avoiding facing the light source face to face allows your eyes to pop open more. It balances out your facial features so your eyes won’t be scrunching too much, but you’re not blocking out the light source completely to add another color to your photo.

8. Cover up your grease (representative: Yuri)

Looking greasy is a definite no no regardless of your gender. You definitely don’t want your forehead to shine brighter than your smile, nor do you want your nose to stand out like Pinocchio’s. So make sure your face is free of grease. (as in, not overloaded) It’s nothing to be ashamed of, to be honest, but it just really doesn’t help when it comes to photos.

9. Go natural (representative: Seohyun)

(^a little awkward there…)

Going natural almost gives you an 100 guarantee that you will look amazing. Rather than awkwardly doing some pose-striking, make-up putting…all you have to do is be yourself! It might not feel too secure at first, but you know what? Humans are beautiful, and you can only show off your true self by showing your natural beauty!

Alright! That’s all for the tips I could give. Each of them I have tried personally, and they really do make a difference. So good luck to you guys and snap away!