On the train this morning, reading my book, I laughed with sympathy when the poor woman noted that her publicity shots had more chins than a Hong Kong phone book. I can sympathise as we enter the holiday season because most of us will be the subject of happy snappy shots taken by loved ones recording forever the spare chins, dark circles and wrinkles that we try to ignore or hide.

So I went searching for ways to make the camera lie, or at least be gentle with the truth, without having to resort to massive Photoshop editing of the results. This is what I came up with.

  • Walk like an Egyptian – that is tilt your head fractionally up and out to get rid of any loose skin around the throat and neck.
  • Kneel before thy photographer – a photo taken from above will make your face look thinner, reduce shadows which reveal wrinkles and open up the eyes.
  • Dusk and dawn are your friend – photos taken in soft natural light will even out the skin tone and smooth the complexion as opposed to harsh light which creates unflattering shadows.