It is definitely a pain to worry about your braces when geting your quinceanera pictures taken. You have a couple of different options to deal with this.

First and easier, you’ve got ages before the photos are actually snapped, which is plenty of time to practice smiling in a way that makes you look great, but doesn’t showcase your mouth metal. Try smiling lightly – with your mouth just a bit open, but not enough to really show your braces much. And as Tyra Banks tells the aspiring models on ANTM, try to “put warmth into your eyes” – it will make you look cheery and upbeat, even if you’re not smiling widely. Sit in front of the mirror and practice this smile technique until you can do it really easily. Voila, you’re all set to go for quinceanera picture day.

Another option is to talk to your quinceanera photographer about the possibility of touching up your photos to remove the braces. Many photographers will do this, for a charge.

A third, quite expensive option is to switch from regular braces to “invisible” braces, if your orthodontist (and parents) say that’s an option.

But I think smiling as I described above, in a not-too-big-but-still-happy-seeming manner, is probably the way to go. Hey, Miley Cyrus had braces, and she still went in front of the camera every day. You can do it for your big quinceanera picture day too. Just practice your semi-smile lots between now and then.  Feliz Quinceanera.

For better quinceanera pictures, try  the following  tips :

Smile like a model! (Or in Tyra-speak, “Smile with your eyes”). When you smile for the camera, or even when you’re not smiling, try to smile with your eyes. Tap into your source of joy from within (by recalling a happy moment, picturing your beloved family pet, or thinking of the most upbeat song you know) and let your eyes sparkle with brightness from this internal emotion. The rest of your face will follow. (Bonus smile tip from the world of modeling: To make your smile look symmetrical, put the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth when you smile).

Soften your stare. Try not to stare too deeply into the camera. You want your focus to be soft, not intense. Pretend you’re looking with love at someone who you care about… like your boyfriend, or an adorable puppy. (Aww!)

During a long photo session, remember to shake yourself out to loosen up every once and a while. If you’re nervous, your facial muscles will tighten and your smile will look forced and fake. Close your eyes between portraits and take a deep breath before opening them again to help you relax.

The more poise you have, the more likely you are to look natural and show your best smile. The most attractive pictures are a result of someone who is comfortable around the camera and knows exactly what they want. This can be learned. Practice your best smile in front of your mirror, so you can do it on command for the camera.

If your body is your concern, steal this look-slimmer trick from Queen Latifah: Stand with one leg slightly in front of the other, by bending your knee and placing that foot a few inches in front of the other one). Angle your hips slightly towards that side. Put hands on hips, or keep them at sides, hands resting lightly on outer thighs. (If you are sitting, angle toward one side and rest hands on thighs).

Leaning slightly toward the camera adds interest, dimension, and a natural look to a photo. Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin and also to prevent the camera from getting a view right up your nostrils.

Some photographers say they get the best pictures when they tell their subject to look slightly above the lens, rather than directly at it. So give that a try.

Practica, practica, practica..

Being a great photo subject is all about practice. Get a friend to take a bunch of digital photos of you, while you try out the tips above. Go over the shots and make notes about what you don’t like about them. Do look too serious or goofy? Do you tend to squint one eye? Then with that specific knowledge in mind, go back and take more photos, trying to correct for the stuff that bugged you. Given time, you will hopefully conquer your issues, and become a fabulously photogenic person and hopefully better quinceanera pictures.