Woman outdoors wearing cat-eye glasses smiling

How to look good in glasses whilst posing for pictures

11 Dec 2023

Have you noticed how frustrating it can be trying to take a picture with glasses? Light reflects off the lenses and ruins your perfect pose. When you capture professional photographs and stunning selfies with glasses it can become a real challenge for this exact reason. This is true both for the person behind the camera and the one in the spotlight. Thankfully, we’ve got some great advice on how to master the art of capturing exceptional photos. Discover how to look good in glasses when snapping pictures.

Top tips for taking pictures with glasses

We live in a digital world where almost every individual on the planet communicates and shares both public and personal news on the web. Influencers set trends and inspire us daily with their creative content. As individuals, we love to keep people informed of what we’re up to and spend most of our time updating our social media posts, perfecting our profiles and scrolling through entertaining reels. If we’re not busy browsing social pages, we are probably posing in front of the mirror at home, posting photos of our latest adventures, or glamming up for a photoshoot at a special event. We are constantly looking for new ways to present ourselves in the digital world. So, how do you take decent pictures with glasses?

Man outdoors wearing rectangular frames posing for a selfie smiling

Choose your favourite angle

Whether you’re snapping a selfie or capturing professional photos of other people with glasses, you to find a good angle from which to take the picture. Ideally, you want the glasses to be the main focal point and for them to flatter the wearer.

If you’re taking a selfie, try to avoid holding your phone directly in front of your face, instead hold it just above. Pose in different positions and see what your selfie looks like from various angles. Use burst mode to take multiple shots in one go. If it helps, you can also try using a selfie stick to extend the shape and size of your photo. This is especially ideal for people who are a little camera shy or individuals who want to capture stunning scenery or group shots with friends. Decide on your best angle and which selfies you most want to share with your friends on social media.

Similarly, if you’re the one taking the pictures, you’ll want to capture your subject in the best possible light. Make conversation and encourage them to chat with you during the shoot. This will make them feel at ease and much more likely to smile, giving your photos a natural edge. This technique is especially ideal if you’re taking candid shots. Move your camera into different positions to capture the best angle. You can ask your subject to turn their head slightly if this helps but focus your attention more on ways you can reposition the camera. That way, they don’t have to move around too much after you’ve positioned them for the perfect shot.

Set up the perfect lighting

The right lighting sets the tone and is essential for any photography. If you want to know how to take a picture with glasses without reflection in the lenses, there is an easy way to do this. Make sure the sun or any form of false light is directly behind you. When taking a photo outside, it’s best to capture it in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. If you do go out in the middle of the day, try to find a nice shaded area so you can avoid any glare or awkward shadows.

When using a phone rather than a camera to take photos, we recommend also that you turn the flash setting off. Smartphones are innovative in design and most of them will work well even in low-light conditions. Using flash will only increase the risk of reflections on your glasses.

Man outdoors wearing round glasses posing for a selfie laughing

Make your eyes the main focus

You’ve heard the saying your eyes are the window to your soul. Well, it’s true! They are a unique quality with the power to convey your personality and reveal your emotions. Even more so in photos because they capture a precise moment in time. If you want to make your subject’s eyes the main focal point of the photo, make sure their glasses are pushed up as far as they can go on the bridge of their nose. Oversized glasses are especially ideal for portrait photographs taken face-on as they will frame their eyes perfectly in the shot.

Glasses wearers need their eyewear to see clearly. So try to avoid removing the lenses, taking the glasses off or readjusting them in the photo. This will cause your subject to squint or look awkward in the photo. The same can be said of selfies. Glasses should be part of your photo and celebrated. They will help draw attention to your eyes and give you a natural sense of confidence.

Invest in glasses with anti-reflect lenses

Are you wondering how to take pictures with glasses without glare? Glare is simply light that reflects off the lenses into the lens of your camera. It is easy to forget that you can actually choose to add an anti-reflective coating to your lenses. This will help to reduce the annoying light that reflects and gets in the way of you taking pictures in your glasses.

Glasses Direct has a variety of lens options and packages available for you to choose from. Select our Gold, Platinum, or Diamond packages to enjoy the benefits of both anti-reflection and UV protection. Not only is an anti-reflective lens coating great for taking photographs, but it is also ideal for driving at night as it will minimise the amount of reflected glare from car headlights. This will allow you to see the road ahead more clearly and thus drive more safely.

Top tip: If you tilt your head downwards or get your subject to move their head slightly this can also help to minimise the amount of light that reflects off the lenses. Just make sure the eyes of the person are still visible in the shot and that it looks as natural as possible.

Think about your colour scheme

Try to think about what colour glasses you want to use in your pictures. When taking photos of glasses, it is important to think about what you want to achieve. Do you want the frames to vary in colour or would you rather they match the backdrop? For example, a pair of bright red, orange or gold-coloured glasses would blend well with a leafy autumn background. Alternatively, if you want the focus to be on the subject of your picture, contrast the autumnal scenery with a pair of green or blue glasses. This is certainly something to keep in mind when taking pictures. Depending on which colour scheme you choose, glasses can also be a great way to show personality in your photography. Choose a pair of glasses you or your subject love wearing and which also reflect a unique sense of style and character.

Consider which glasses suit specific face shapes

If you want to know how to look good in glasses, it’s very important to consider what styles suit your face shape. Our handy guide will help you to decide which shapes complement your features the best. Once you have an idea of what to go for, you can then order a new pair of glasses and show them off to everyone in your selfies. If you’re still unsure and want to get a feel for a few different styles first, then try our free Home Trial. This will give you the chance to try on four different frames. Get a feel for them and see what they look like with different outfits. In fact, why not snap a few selfies and send them to your loved ones to get their expert opinion on your choices?

Deciding what glasses suit certain face shapes is also something worth considering when you’re capturing flattering photographs of other people. They will probably know best what suits them and the styles they feel most comfortable in. But you can always ask them to bring along several of their favourite pairs and try out a variety of shots with various glasses styles to see which best suits the tone of your photography.

How to look good in glasses for guys

Complement your beard with glasses: 

Depending on what face shape and beard style you have, a pair of glasses can give you a very trendy look. Style them just right and you can really showcase your best features in photos. Check out our style tips for men with a beard and glasses.

Make sure your new glasses are comfortable: 

How you feel in your glasses is one of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing new eyewear. If they are causing you irritation or discomfort, you are less likely to enjoy wearing them. For men with an active lifestyle, we recommend that you invest in glasses specifically designed for sports, like our sophisticated and stylish Oakley range. Also, glasses with flexible spring hinges will ensure the frame sits comfortably on your face. Adjustable nose pads on metal glasses are also another great feature and will ensure they sit securely on your face.

How to look good in glasses for ladies

Keep your makeup subtle: 

Make sure you only put a very light layer of makeup on when wearing glasses. Your glasses will naturally create a shadow in some lights and it’s best not to emphasise this too much. Ideally, you want to accentuate the shape of your eyes and draw focus to them. Try to go for navy, purple or light brown eyeliner rather than black. A brightly coloured lipstick is a good way to add a splash of colour to your complexion. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with your glasses. It’s also a good idea to keep your brows neat and tidy too! After all, they’ll likely be visible above your glasses.

Try not to overstate your accessories: 

If you want your glasses to be the centre of attention, make sure your jewellery, handbag and other accessories are not too overstated. Choose elegant pieces of jewellery, like small hoops or a simple necklace. If you do decide to go a little bolder with your choice of accessories, choose a frame with a simple design and make sure the colours are the same or at least coordinate with each other. For example, if you have tortoiseshell glasses, it’s best to match them with warmer tones like gold. As for silver, it suits cooler tones like blue, green and purple. Black glasses, meanwhile, are the most versatile eyewear option and will suit most styles. They are especially ideal if you plan to mix and match your accessories for different occasions.

What are the best selfie poses with glasses?

We’ve got some great tips on how to take pictures with glasses. Here is a list of some of the most popular selfie poses along with some ideas on how to up your game and increase your likes on social!

Woman posing for a selfie with phone raised above head

Take an old-school selfie: Everyone loves a classic selfie! Simply hold the camera just above your head and look directly into the lens. This allows you to connect with people viewing the photo and is a very natural way to take a picture of yourself in glasses.

Woman wearing sunglasses pouting while taking a selfie

Show off your adorable pout: The fun and flirty ‘duck face’ has become an Instagram sensation! When it comes to cute selfie poses with glasses, this is probably the best one.

Man wearing round glasses smiling while posing with his pet dog for a selfie

Cuddle up with your pet: Pet selfies are guaranteed to win the hearts of your viewers. After all, who can resist an adorable picture of you and your favourite animal companion? It also reveals something more personal about yourself.

Woman wearing round glasses posing for a selfie while looking into the distance

Stare off into the distance: Admire beautiful scenery or face to one side in your selfie. It doesn’t matter if you are drawing the eye to an iconic landmark or simply posing dramatically. Looking away from the camera invites viewers into your adventure. It also looks more natural and if you’re a glasses wearer, it’s a great way to avoid any reflections in your lenses.

Group of friends posing for a selfie

Get a group photo with friends: Snapping a selfie with your closest mates is a great way to capture memories. Make sure the person taking the photo is slightly in front of the group and holding the camera high enough so everyone in the shot is visible.

Woman taking a selfie in the mirror

Snap a picture in front of the mirror: If you’re keen to show off your full wardrobe and how well it matches your glasses, taking a mirror selfie is an excellent way to achieve this.

Woman taking a selfie holding beauty products close to her chest

Include your hands in the picture: This is a really trendy way to pose for a selfie. It draws the focus to your face and is very natural looking. Plus, if you’ve just had a beautiful manicure, it’s a great way to show off your shiny new nails!

Show us your best selfie poses!

Do you have some inspiring selfies you would like to share with us? Show off your favourite pair of glasses for your chance to be featured in our gallery. Make sure you share your pictures with us on Instagram by tagging @‌glasses_direct and #myglassesmyway.