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    1. Life

    Women love to pose, but hate the picture

    Women love to get together for a girly snap but when it comes to looking at the photograph their camera smile often turns into a frown

    By Hannah Thomas
    Published 21 July 2011 In Features

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    Woman are camera shy
    Woman are camera shy
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
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    Women love to get together for a girly snap but when it comes to looking at the photograph their camera smile often turns into a frown

    Half of women are so critical of their appearance that they hate looking at photographs of themselves, while 75 per cent will run for cover to avoid appearing in snaps altogether.

    A study has found that even women who brave the camera complain that they don’t like their smile, with 14 per cent moaning about smile-lines. Women are also likely to criticise their outfit choice or be embarrassed about having their eyes closed.

    And it’s not just snap happy nights out that leave women cringing at the photographic evidence, but even on the happiest day of their lives - 36 per cent of brides feel anxious about being the focus of the camera lens.

    Many women fear that pictures of themselves will attract catty comments as vanity reigns on social networking sites such as Facebook. But despite women’s smile insecurities, a survey by Macleans toothpaste claims men say the first thing that attracts them to a woman is her smile.

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    Celebrity photographer Daniel Kennedy, who has worked with Angelina Jolie and Thandie Newton, says self-conscious women just need to enjoy themselves. ‘A natural smile that goes through to the eyes is far more attractive than a fake one. Keep your chin down and look through your eyelashes for a face-slimming look that enhances your cheekbones,’ says Daniel.

    Do you shy away from the camera or constantly criticise yourself in pictures? Let us know your photo fears by posting a comment below.

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