Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red Carpet

We all love the glittering galas that bring us together and give us a chance to dress up and show off our jewelry. 

But we don’t always love the photos of us that get printed or posted after the event. 

What are the most flattering posts? And how can we increase our chances of getting published by the press or even shared on social media, LinkedIn, etc.? 

Here are some professional tips to make sure you look great on the red carpet and to enhance the chance of your photos actually being used.

We spoke with industry experts Amanda Gizzi, director of public relations and events for Jewelers of America and the producer of the upcoming Gem Awards, as well as Severine Ferrari, founder and editor-in-chief of Engagement101, to get their pro tips for taking the best red-carpet or step-and-repeat photos. 

We are also not strangers to the red carpet—Jen Cullen Williams often manages the red carpet for trade shows and special events, and Duvall O’Steen is also a professional actor who has been taking professional headshots and film festival red-carpet photos for decades. 

Here is our best advice to make sure you shine at the many events coming for 2025.

Pre-Event Preparation

Practice at Home to Discover Your ‘Good Side’
The key to great red-carpet photos starts well before the event. 

Ferrari suggests practicing at home with a mirror or taking pre-event selfies.

“Try different outfits as you practice your poses because something that looks great in real life might not look good on camera,” she advised. 

When practicing your poses, Williams recommends taking a systematic approach by working your way down the body. 

Start by testing out your head alignment and facial expressions. Decide whether you are going for a warm smile or a more neutral or business vibe. 

Then, determine your most flattering side, taking into consideration your outfit choice along with any jewelry and accessories you will be wearing. 

Next, experiment with different weight distributions based on your attire, whether that means crossing your legs, positioning one leg to the side, or adopting a more commanding shoulders-back power stance. O’Steen added that bending one knee slightly can create a more flattering figure. 

Finally, explore various hand placements, remembering that the key is to maintain relaxed, natural positions. This might involve resting your hands on your hips or waist, or incorporating subtle interactions with your wardrobe, such as highlighting a brooch on your blazer lapel.

Severine added, “Practice poses alone but also imagine yourself in a group. The best poses depend on your body type and what you are worried about or want to minimize, so I don’t like to give general tips except that it is wise to rehearse.”

At the Event

Arrive a Little Early to Avoid Long Lines
Gizzi recommended getting to the event a little early as red-carpet lines can be long. 

“In the case of Gem Awards, if the red-carpet lines are too long, you can also take full advantage of the second step-and-repeat that is available for all guests.” 

She also recommends using the break in between presentations and/or food courses to snap your own photos. 

“After the event or during the dinner break can be a great time to ensure you get additional photos for your social media. Use this time to have someone take a photo of you with your phone in front of the step-and-repeat.” 

Be sure to use the event’s official hashtags when you post.

Put Down Your Drink or Hide It
Ferrari and Gizzi both agree that cocktails should not be in your hand for red-carpet photos. 

Gizzi said, “Put down any drinks so the photo can be more widely used.” 

Severine concurred, “Set cocktail glasses aside, for sure.”

Don’t Talk, and Keep Smiling
“To look your best in photos, avoid the temptation to talk on the red carpet,” Gizzi said. 

Remember that the photos are candid shots, and mid-speech expressions rarely photograph well.

O’Steen suggested keeping that smile frozen in place until you are out of the lights. 

“I always think of something that makes me happy, like my puppy, and it brings a genuine smile to my face. No matter what is going on around me, while I am on the red carpet, I keep that smile intact,” she said.

“You never know which angle or exactly when the photographer will snap. So, try not to let the smile fade until you are out of the photographer’s eyesight. Just keep thinking happy thoughts.”

Look Directly at the Camera
As you get in place to pose, seek out the camera and look straight into the barrel of the lens.  

Sometimes, there are multiple cameras, so try to figure out which camera belongs to the official event photographer and look directly at them.  

If your friends are also snapping photos with their or your phone, wait until after the professional photographer stops snapping to look into your own phone.  

It is always weird to be the one person looking off to the side or in a different direction than everyone else in the group photo. 
 

 

Posture: Shoulders Back, Body on an Angle
“Don’t slouch,” Ferrari said. 

O’Steen recommended exuding confidence and to “fake it ‘til you make it,” if necessary.

Confident, smiling, happy attitudes are contagious and draw the photographer’s energy to you.

O’Steen has learned that turning her body on an angle gives her a more flattering silhouette, as opposed to squaring her shoulders straight on to the camera. 

One shoulder can go back towards the step-and-repeat, and the other shoulder can be angled toward or closer to the camera. 

When you practice your post at home, try this out, so you can see firsthand how it works for you. 

“You can also bend the forward knee a bit to give more contour in your figure,” she says.

Post Event
Ferrari recommended making sure the person who coordinates the red carpet knows who you are if they don’t already. 

They usually have a clipboard and can jot down your name and title. This can help make sure you get tagged or mentioned in captions.

Gizzi suggested following the event’s social media account or the official event hashtags to see if your photo has been shared. 

You can follow up with the event organizers to get a copy of your photo for your own use on social media, and if you do recognize yourself in any photos, you can DM (direct message) the account posting it to politely ask them to tag you.

Posting Your Photos 
When posting the images you have taken at an industry event, remember to use the event’s official hashtags, and before you tag others, be kind enough to ask their permission. 

“I have one tip for people in the industry who are sharing event pictures of other people,” Ferrari said.  

“People like to look good, and if you share a picture with an unflattering angle of someone, they will not share it. Sometimes, if there are no flattering angles, it’s better to not upload it to the gallery. It is better to salvage that relationship.” 

Armed with these expert tips, you are ready to make the most of your red-carpet moments at upcoming industry events.  

Remember that confidence is key whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the scene.  

By taking time to prepare, practicing your poses, and following these guidelines for photo etiquette, you will ensure both you and your jewelry designs shine in every shot.  

The red carpet doesn’t have to be intimidating. Instead, let it be an opportunity to showcase your work and connect with the industry in a meaningful, photogenic way.