Many of us avoid having our photos taken. Someone brings out a camera and we hide behind our hands or run screaming from the room. Then one day we realize that if we keep it up, our descendants will only have photos of us when we were trying to get away or when we were too old to get away. I am also guilty of avoiding the camera. And I’m number nine of 10 children so there are not even many photos of me as child. Certainly there are none of the three obligatory photos taken of most babies today. You know the three: 1. Baby naked in the bathtub for use in embarrassing the child later. 2. Daddy sleeping with baby on chest. You never see photos of mommies like this because mommies don’t sleep. 3. Baby seated in high chair covered in food. Family lore has it that unless someone intervened quickly, I poured all the food I didn’t plan to eat directly onto my head. In my defense, I will say there is NO photographic evidence to prove this. There is no photographic evidence to prove much else either. I do have photos confirming that I graduated from high school and college, or at least that I wore a gown and a funny-looking hat a couple of times. I could prove that I got married and had a son, or that someone who looks an awful lot like me did. But I don’t believe I could prove that I once won a medal for crossing the finish line first in the mile relay. Of course, that may be because I never did. I tell you all of this to illustrate what an unusual occurrence it is that in 2009, I actually paid to have not one, but two photos taken. The first was taken with my family for my church’s directory. The other was my photo for this column. It was time. Truly, I was surprised that people still recognized me from the old one considering I’d had it taken around seventh grade. (I might be exaggerating a little.) Because I’m unaccustomed to having my photo taken, both of these experiences were painful for me, as you may be able to tell from the photographs. But when you’re paying to have your photo taken, you don’t run – or put food on your head; you stand your ground and smile, if somewhat tentatively. In my usual thorough manner, I researched tips for successful portraits. But also in my usual fashion, I did the research AFTER I’d had my photos taken. Maybe these will help you the next time you’re going to be photographed. By the time I get around to it again, I will have forgotten them long ago. What to wear: – The camera adds 10 pounds. Remember to wear a larger size. – Avoid bold prints, which can draw the eye away from the face. You’ll look funny with your eye away from your face. Maybe I misunderstood that. – Go easy on accessories. Giant earrings, a gaudy necklace, even a subtle nose ring with matching eyebrow hoops, can be distracting. Putting your best face forward: – Apply a little lip gloss. Men, you can borrow this from your wives. – Eyeglasses can be a problem. You might want to knock your lenses out before picture day. – Avoid scheduling haircuts too close to photo day. Same with Botox treatments and facelifts. In the studio: – The most flattering lighting comes from slightly above and in front of you. My research didn’t mention it, but I think the most flattering lighting is also dim. – Keep your chin slightly raised, tilt your head just a smidge, and position yourself at an angle to the camera. Oh yes, and don’t forget to look natural. – And finally, smile, don’t blink, and remember, this is the technology age; don’t say cheese, say Photoshop. "Around the Bend" appears regularly in the Advocate and about 15 newspapers in the Midwest, including the Rapid City Journal. Rosby, Rapid City, S.D., lives with her husband and school-aged son. For more on Rosby, visit www.dorothyrosby.com.