Dede Wilsey strikes a pose, and looks picture perfect, at the opening of the 2008 SF Opera season.

There are people in this world who naturally look good in a picture. When a camera captures an image of them, it’s as if their body effortlessly conforms to the perfect pose. As for the other ninety-five percent of the population, posing for a picture (especially at a gala) is the equivalent of taking a three-part final exam. You are constantly wondering, “Am I smiling enough?” “What should I do with my arm?” “Am I angled towards the camera enough?” and so on and so forth.

Chances are, if you are trying too hard to pose for a picture, it will show. You would think that with all the advances in digital photography, there would be an “anti-awkward” button that would automatically fix any self-conscious details in a picture via Industrial Light and Magic technology. Unfortunately, we’re not that lucky.

The perfect gown, hairstyle, makeup, and jewelry can look good, but there is that final element that you contribute that will be the difference between gala gorgeous and gala “oh my goodness!” With the social season in full swing, taking the perfect picture is not a simple “point and shoot” act of vanity. It’s an artful task of self-awareness and presence. But how do you actually get someone to take a picture of you?

“There’s no way to ensure that you get photographed,” says photographer Scotty Morris, who has photographed San Francisco galas for over thirty years. “To increase your odds, be sure to make the photographer aware that you’re there.”

Here are some other tips to looking your best when those flashbulbs start going off:

Relax with confidence—The number one word of advice is to relax. It’s as simple as taking a deep breath and putting your mind at ease. You’re posing for a picture, not performing open heart surgery. Just don’t be too relaxed—posture says a lot about your character and confidence. The taller you stand, the more refined you look—not to mention elongated. For those of you who yearn to be more slender in a picture, standing up straight minimizes that midsection. Morris says that for even a taller picture, ask the photographer to shoot from a lower angle.

Get legs for days—This one pertains more to the ladies, but if you’re a man and want to make your legs look longer, then by all means follow this practice. If you are asked to pose solo in a full body shot and have a dress that shows off your stems, nonchalantly cross your legs and put your hands on your hips (the latter is optional). This is a red carpet practice that many celebrities have invested in. With a casual cross of the legs, you instantly add some length to your legs, giving a sexy, yet tasteful picture. However, the operative key word is “casual.” If you are crossing the legs and it looks like a yoga contortion, then perhaps you should just avoid the move altogether.

Know your fellow posers and your surroundings—It may be appropriate to stick your tongue out and do other cliché shenanigans in photos at your friend’s crazy birthday party, but at a gala—not so much. It’s best to take pictures with style and class when attending these events because it’s always nice to be invited back the following year.

Either you’re in or you’re out—With all the pictures taken at galas, not all of them will appear in print or online media. “Every image goes through a three-step edit process,” says Morris. “It must get chosen by the photographer to get sent out to media, the photo editor at the magazine or newspaper must select it, and then there must be room in the publication. Unfortunately, a lot of good images don’t make it all the way to the end.” In other words, don’t take it personally if your photo didn’t make the cut. There’s always Facebook.

For the guys—There are three basic guidelines for men when it comes to posing for pictures: turn, tilt, smile. Turn your body to a very slight angle to the camera (more or less ten degrees), then turn your face so that you are facing the camera. Tilt your head toward the shoulder that’s furthest from the camera—but not too much. Finally, give a debonair smile, not a Cheshire cat grin. A closed-mouth smile will make you look less goofy and more dashing. Trust me on this one. I speak from experience.

Smile, but not too much—“Have a nice smile,” says Morris. “Don’t look gloomy!” The face is the first thing someone notices in a picture, but don’t attack the camera with all of your face. This is not a passport photo. Plus, head-on photos aren’t that flattering. And this may sound a little bit Beauty Pageant 101, but practice smiling in a mirror if you feel awkward in front of the camera. Give those smiling muscles a workout and then show off the hard work—but limit the amount of teeth exposed (refer to the Cheshire cat comment above). If you feel gawky in a pose, then you probably need to reposition yourself and reevaluate your smile.

Ultimately, you’re not posing for the cover of Vogue or GQ, so have fun with it. Just remember to be comfortable and confident—and please be nice to the photographer. Self-entitled divas aren’t photogenic.

Dino-Ray Ramos is a freelance fashion and entertainment writer. When he isn’t enlightening young artistic minds at the Academy of Art University as a journalism instructor, you can enjoy his playfully disgruntled discourse on his personal blog, "the finer dandy" (blog.dinoray.com).