A Normal Girl’s Guide to Glamorous Pictures

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has seen those gorgeous pictures on Instagram of beautiful women posing in stunning locations with their hair a-curled and their dress a-twirled.  But like… what’s a regular person supposed to do? We can’t all be stunning models! Heck, I’m a blogger, and even I’m not that glamorous. I feel like they always skirted the issue of how to create them ourselves. So.. what to do?

My pre-blogging days had me boppin’ about the world in sweatshirts and jeans because… comfort.  As I got older (and also started my blog), I decided I didn’t want every pic of me to be in jeans, so I started dressing a little nicer, but still… not ~glamour~.

Old me and newish me

So I went to Instagram.  And rather than get down on myself because I had no idea how it would be possible to get a pic like that (due to the fact that I’m super awkward in pictures sometimes), I decided I would figure out how to make it work for me.

The Problem:

Ok, so I decided I wanted to be in more dramatic pictures, but the main problem was still comfort.  I wanted to be comfortable when I was walking around all day, but I still wanted to look nice. I’m not a dress and skirt wearer by nature, so what’s a vaguely Tom-Boyish girl to do?  Do I have to walk around in an outfit like that all day? Ugh!

Beautiful dress, but who wants to wear that all day?

The Solution:

I got it.  A skirt!  

Skirt acquired! Lolol

If I got a nice skirt, I could just pop it over my regular clothes and BOOM–I’m glamorous! Then take it off and BOOM–I’m comfortable.  Yasssss. So that’s what I did with my first trip with my skirt. I went off into the desert to celebrate my 60th country in comfy clothes…

But I also wanted to have a dramatic photoshoot!  I mean, 60 countries deserves it! So, I threw the skirt on over my capris. How’d I do? (Note: If you look hard, you can still see the black yoga pants lol).

It worked!!!  

Reasons Why A Skirt is the Best Idea

1. Glamour Shot Anywhere

There was a reflecting pool underground in Colombia. What did I do? Photoshoot.

Stepping foot on my 7th continent? Photoshoot

2. Share with a friend

Because you’re wearing clothes underneath the skirt, you can easily share with a friend!

Climbing up a waterfall in Jamaica? Photoshoot.

I was on a ferry from Finland to Estonia, and the wind was nice.  What did I do? Photoshoot.

I was at a gas station in Switzerland, and there was a sunflower field. What did I do? Photoshoot.

3. Take up less space than dresses! 

When you don’t like checking a bag and space is primo, that little extra bit of room you’re saving really counts!!

4. Probably cheaper

I got mine on Amazon (this is the skirt I have in red)!  They have lots of colors and sizes.  I suggest the ones below or skirts with words like mopping skirt or chiffon.

Tips for best pics

1. Since the skirt is going to be loose and flowy, you’ll want a tighter top to make you look smaller.  Actually, for my trip to Colombia, I actually wore a bathing suit under my capris and shirt, so when it came to the photoshoot it was a bit more dramatic.  I usually wear regular shirts though, so a bathing suit isn’t mandatory, but it def added a bit of pizzazz.
   
   
2. Pick a skirt color that will pop out.  Red is my fave one to travel with because I feel like it pops out the most, but I think it is important to think about what main colors will be around you on your trip and pick a skirt that will pop out from that.
   
   
3. BURST! Burst shots are the BEST tip that I have for you.  If you have someone taking the pic, or you have a remote, you need to take a burst shot.  Try spinning or throwing your skirt around. Somewhere in those 100s of pics will be a winner.
   
   

   Look at all the options! One burst is 100 pics, and you can do multiple.

4. Edit the pic afterwards.  I use Snapseed. I mess around with the settings a bit to make it as dramatic as this dramatic AF pic deserves.
   
   

   With and without

5. Try looking away from the camera. I always seem to make a stupid face if I look straight at the camera.
6. Laugh at the bad ones!  Especially if you use burst shot, you’re going to get a lot of bad ones. This isn’t a critical step, but it’s definitely worth it.
   
   

   Immmmm a model, if you know what I mean, and I do my little turn on the cat walk. Yeah.

Remember, you don’t have to be a skinny model to still pump out some sick pics!

Good luck out there, ladies!