NICKY JOHNSTON

As Kelly Brook admits altering a photo to slim her tummy, photographer reveals his golden rules for looking gorgeous

WHEN Kelly Brook posted a photo of herself at Ascot last week, eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that the snap had been altered. In the picture of Kelly and her boyfriend Jeremy Parisi the 38-year-old model’s tummy looked smoother and flatter than in the original, which later surfaced online.

Kelly admitted to using computer trickery to “tuck her tummy in a bit”. However, according to one of the UK’s top photographers, this isn’t necessary.

“Of course it’s possible to look good in pictures without retouching them,” says fashion photographer and Britain’s Next Top Model judge Nicky Johnston.

“It’s all about body positioning, wearing the right clothes and good lighting.”

Here Nicky shares his 10 golden rules for taking the perfect picture.

SOFT LIGHTING

Bad lighting can ruin a good photo. Soft natural light is best so stand facing a window.

Avoid harsh strip lighting or overhead lighting, which will shine directly downwards and highlight eye bags. If possible, don’t use the flash on your phone as it never creates a good image.

SAY NO TO STRIPES

Horizontal stripes make you look wider. The eye is drawn straight to the area where you are wearing stripes and you end up looking at, for example, the skirt rather than the face.

When taking a photograph, you want people to see you as a whole.

FITTED NOT SKINTIGHT

If there is an area you feel self-conscious about, the last thing you want is to accentuate it.

Choose fitted clothing that skims the area, which will make you look slimmer and feel more confident.

STAND SIDE ON

A picture taken straight on can look awkward. Instead stand slightly to one side. This gives the impression that your body is curved and is also naturally slimming.

BEND YOUR LEG

Standing with both of your legs straight can make them look bulky, even when they’re not.

Bending one leg and crossing it in front of the other is a much more flattering pose.

HANDS ON HIPS

Not only does putting your hands on your hips make your arms look toned, it also means your waist is visible and shows off your shape.

Never stand with your arms hanging down. Always make sure there is at least a little gap between your arm and your side.

SMILE SMILE SMILE

When people don’t like their teeth, they tend to tighten their lips to cover them and end up smirking. This looks terrible.

You look your best when you smile so try it. If you still don’t like it, try with your mouth half open so your lips are relaxed.

BUT NEVER POUT

It looks ridiculous, even on a supermodel. People think it accentuates their cheekbones but the opposite is true.

And if you wear lipstick, pouting means you can see the line where it ends on the inside of your lip.

HOLD YOUR PHONE HIGH

When taking a picture, hold the camera higher than your face. If you have a double chin and look straight at the camera, you’ll see it.

Lifting your chin and face thins the neck and is more flattering.

TRIAL AND ERROR

Have a mini photoshoot and learn what works for you. Try out poses – put your leg to the front, then to the back or hold your hand on your hip, then move it to your face.

Do you prefer your left side or your right? See the differences in shapes and choose what you like the best.