When someone asks me what the key aspect is for the perfect photograph, I’m sure any photographer would agree with me – it’s  lighting!

Great lighting is natures soft box and as your Chanel wearing fairy godmother, I feel like I should tell you why you need it!

In How to look like a supermodel in your selfie, I go over this in depth, but today I’ll tell you why you need great light for a photo and how to find it! This is an easy tip to implement and you’ll notice a difference in your selfies and photos instantly!

Why you need good lighting for your selfie

♥ It blasts out any skin imperfections like blackheads, small pimples and the hair you forgot to pluck
♥ It softens fine lines and wrinkles
♥ It highlights your cheekbones and makes them stand out
♥ You’ll look like the supermodel version of you

Why bad lighting isn’t your friend

♥ It makes you look so much older
♥ It gives your photos a grainy texture
♥ It casts shadows which enhance dark circles and skin imperfections
♥ It can make your face look rounder
♥ It won’t enhance how gorgeous you are!

The best lighting for photographs

You want even natural light with the light source cut out from above. You never want overhead lighting as it casts shadows. This is why you have that window in your house that’s perfect for selfie lighting – even light, but cut out from above!

How to find the light for amazing photographs

♥ Get your phone out in selfie mode so you can see what you’re doing

♥ Head to a window in your house with warm natural light flooding in

♥ Make sure you can’t see the sun from the window and you don’t want to have any shadows on your face from curtains etc

♥ If the light is too bright take a step back and it should soften. What you should notice is that your skin texture is gorgeous and even. Play around with your position to the window, the angle of your face and where you hold the camera. It really does make a difference

♥ It’s also good to see what doesn’t work too. Stand outside with the sun overhead and notice how unflattering this is. Take a photo in a dark place and see how grainy it turns out.

Peta Serras

Editor of Professional Babe, Peta has a penchant for pretty things, Tom Hardy and ginger kittens. You can find her sipping a long black, creating killer content or making sure her winged eyeliner is even. Peta is a writer, model & Pilates Instructor based out of the Hunter Valley.