Why would someone be pretty in person but not very pretty in photos?

Question

The reason I’m asking is that I usually get told I’m pretty in person or people will tell my husband that I’m really attractive, but when I take photos I feel deeply insecure.

Sometimes I feel pretty, but taking a photo makes me feel bad and I don’t feel like I’m pretty in photos at all.

Maybe I stare at myself too much?

I compare myself to social media influencers, it might be that. 😕I don’t think I have the same features or prettiness as them. I genuinely don’t.

Zack-Bann · Accepted Answer

Photography is a lot more than taking a selfie

There’s lighting, angles, focal lenses, coloring, grading

All these things that make a difference between a professional photographer and a grandma with a phone camera

Naturally you don’t have to become a photographer or even hire one

But if you looked up on YouTube just the basics you can learn how to look in photos at least as pretty as you claim to be in real life
(Can’t see your face so it’s impossible to comment on that part)

And it’s also fun by the way. Once you get the hang of it at least

TheSpaceGnome · Accepted Answer

Because they don't know how to use a camera.

Different lense shapes and sizes are meant for different distances and sitations.

Use the wrong lense for the distance and angle that you are taking the picture from, and it will distort the subject.

There are more than just 4, and this only mentions mm, not lense types, but this still illustrates my point well enough by showing examples of the distortion and how it can make you look like someone else entirely.

Bubbles934 · Accepted Answer

I always think it’s in the eyes of the person who takes the pictures. My mother is a horrible narcissistic woman, if she takes a pic I look like hagrid. My sister has always thought I’m pretty if she takes one or my partner does it’s a nice picture. I also think it depends on side or other angle features. The selfie is always taken from above for a reason. You can have an attractive front profile but could look awful from the side. People when you see them in real life usually only look at your front profile

Caroline91 · Accepted Answer

Some people just aren't very photogenic. I am one of the least photogenic people on the planet and absolutely hate having my picture taken, which no doubt contributes to it. The only good pictures of me tend to be when I have no idea the shot is being taken.

Fashionista Amy · Accepted Answer

It’s quite common to feel this way, and you're definitely not alone. Camera angles, lighting, and even the lens itself can affect how features appear in photos compared to real life. Photos often miss the dynamic qualities like expressions and energy that add to your attractiveness in person. Social media comparisons can also skew perceptions, as influencers often use filters and editing. Focus on embracing your unique qualities and remember that beauty isn't just about what's captured in an image. Keep shining in your own way! 🌟🙂

ChristianMaeTorres · Answer

Personality and how someone presents themselves go a long way. I never look at almost anyone's pictures on social media, literally like almost never. Pictures don't do a lot of people justice, especially if you get those friends or not friends who wait to get the most unflattering picture of you and go post it lol.

I personally think I can look different depending on how I did my make up in a picture or my hair, but neither is ugly or worse than the other, one is just me dolled up and the other isn't.

People think staring at yourself a lot in the mirror is a bad thing or like that you like your own reflection that much but in psychology, or one article I seen it says that some of the most insecure people are ones who are constantly checking their appearance. Secure ones won't hardly ever look as often.

hahahmm · Answer

Because different types of camera lenses and how close you are to the subject make things look different. Just like if you took your phone camera and took a picture of your car from the corner angle, up close like 1 foot a way it looks a lot different than if you're standing 10 feet away.

You have these types of faces:

*Looks good on camera but not in person.

*Looks good in person but not on camera.

*Looks good on camera and in person (the Holy Grail).

In the old days, tv camera lenses also made people look fatter than in real life but that's less of an issue now.

And keep in mind that when I say "on camera" above, it still depends on the camera lens/settings. So they could look good on camera A but not camera B. Good photographers understand this stuff.

Smart women don't even let people photograph them unless they know what they're doing. But hey, most people are dumb these days.

WonderingManII · Answer

You should google this question. I just did and got a really long answer. Here is a part of the answer I got.

"Someone might be pretty in person but not as photogenic due to several factors, including lighting, camera angles, and the way a camera captures features. Additionally, personal expressions, and even subconscious reactions to a camera can impact how a person appears in photos."

itsannalee · Answer

Some people are photogenic and some not, i look better in person tbh.

WhitneySnow · Answer

Some people aren’t photogenic, but if you get told you’re pretty in person the odds are you’re just being too hard on yourself

molonski2 · Answer

I don't think it's anything to do with the photos , it's your own insecurity , I can pretty much guarantee that you are extremely attractive ( people don't just make that stuff up )., it's nothing to do with angles etc , sorry that's just absolute BS..

Its like hearing your voice back , many people hate that..

The problem is in your own head Hun.

evie56 · Answer

i guess you view yourself on a microscopic level. we all have ‘imperfections’ that are mostly imperfections in our mind. Most people don’t even even notice that closely (for eg i used to be insecure about my nose but weirdly enough people used to compliment me saying they wish they had a nose like mine xD)

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

So  it's not that you're pretty in pictures or not , it's that you don't feel pretty, a sensation, not a fact, and you gave one reason in your description. Aside from the psychological aspects involved, taking good pictures is a skill, it's not intuitive. At least not unless you have some kind of creative gift.

NicholasRedone · Answer

The camera always takes away 5 pounds lol 😂 😆 I promise I'm not that skeletal lol 😆 jokes that I'm actually skeleton 🦴 🩻

DonaldDarko · Answer

During the coof when people had to talk over video screens a lot there was an uptick in plastic surgery. Cameras make people look like hell.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Some people are just more photogenic than others. It has nothing to being ugly or anything like that.

Staximus · Answer

You need to get out of your own head and get off the stupid social media and start living back in the real world. Nobody was blessed with the ability to see themselves as others see them.

Shiprex · Answer

Photos being staged and put people under pressure to "appear" something they are not. A dynamic beauty could be used that a single image doesn't capture. A lot of middle and less attractive girls have this beauty

red-lipstick-girl · Answer

I also experience this situation. It doesn't mean I'm ugly. I just don't know how to pose.

NotLongKindaGirthy · Answer

This sounds more like you having low self-esteem, rather than you looking good in person but bad in photos.

Other people see you as attractive, but when you see yourself, you see someone who's unattractive. You probably don't like the way you look in mirrors either.

Just accept that you're hot, and enjoy the life of an attractive person. And try to stop seeing yourself so harshly.

Ironic_Method · Answer

I'm the same way, I hate the way I look in pictures. Though when I get a date via app at least they're pleasantly surprised.

Panthero80 · Answer

Some are more photogenic than others for whatever reason. It's off topic, but is it just me, or does the woman in the front of that picture look to be on the verge of an orgasm?

MrZameer · Answer

I'm sure, you are very pretty and attractive, you just compare yourself with others, 🤨

BDRick · Answer

That’s the science of photography, in that it’s all in the canerav& the artist (cameraman) taking the photo. The beauty is in their discretion as well as the metrics of the photo and editing if necessary

ProbablyClueless · Answer

It's just photogenics and the way the light hits the camera sensor.  Certain features, like pronounced eyes, look better on camera.

Gaylordslav · Answer

Im unattractive in any way you picture, reflect or see it.

beenherebefore · Answer

Maybe they're not aware of what angles suits them better when taking pictures.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. 2. Stop seeking validation from people who are not your husband.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Some people look better in photos and some look worse. The way the light falls on the face can have a huge impact.

wkhan_87 · Answer

It happens, some people looks better in photos than person.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe they are not photogenic.

SotiCoto · Answer

Angle.

chocolatetwopointo · Answer

not photogenic

Why would someone be pretty in person but not very pretty in photos?

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