Huggy Ragnarsson: Getting the perfect shot

We met with top fashion photographer Huggy Ragnarsson to discuss her top tips on getting that perfect photo. Her work includes some iconic shots of A list celebs such as David Beckham, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista just to name a few and her shots have graced the covers of Vogue, Marie Claire and many more! Before taking to the other side of the lens she was a top model. This has given her a unique perspective in photography, and she now knows how it feels to be on both sides of the lens.

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Huggy's secrets to working the camera

• Hide a big bum: Stand face on to the camera and stick you butt out behind you as far as it goes. Not only will it disappear from sight, but it will improve your posture and pull back your stomach area making that appear flat also.
• Hide a double chin: Stick your chin out as far as it will go without contorting your face. This will lengthen your neck and give you a lovely arch under your face.
• Give yourself a sexy pout: Slowly mouth the vowels, a, e, i, o and u. Add a dash of attitude and your there.
• Disguising lumps and bumps: The camera will enlarge whatever it sees first. If you are standing to the side and your arm is at the forefront of the shot, then it's your arm that will look large. Stand side on but push your hips away from the camera and hold your arms and shoulders back and you'll look like a hot cookie.

Recharge your batteries

This summer Huggy is excited to be working with Duracell as its brand ambassador for its new rechargeable range. This new role sees her helping to judge entries into the Duracell's 'how do you recharge your batteries' photography competition, where 50 of the best images will be selected and exhibited at Getty Images Gallery in London.

For more info visit www.duracell.com/uk/photo/ from the 1st July.

Top 10 photography tips by Huggy Ragnarsson

1. Check your light from all angles - 360 degrees - actually walk in a circle with your subject and look to see which light best suits that person. Treat digital like a very sensitive emulsion that you can manipulate very easily by adding:

• White (paper, cloth - a sheet, aluminium foil) you lighten your subject
• Black (paper, cloth, black board) you give definition to your subject - you can make your subject slimmer, defining its shape

2. Control your light - when using artificial light, make it your key light. It should be the principle source, and like any spot light when you light a space whether it is a room or a box that source of light must remain constant or it fades as it reaches the edge.

3. Know your equipment - the more familiar and comfortable you are with your equipment, the more confident you'll feel and that will extend to your subject.

4. Communication is vital - making sure your subject is 'in the picture' with what is needed from them, which will help you capture the 'bigger picture'.

5. Experiment with your image - use front and back lighting to create a silhouette image, which can be beautiful. Experiment with filters, different lens and cameras - remember the power with 'digital' is that it gives you that freedom.

6. Proportion - study your subject, if they have a longer torso or short legs for example shoot them from a lower angle so you can lengthen or even their shape out.

7. Depth of field - is what you want you focus to be on in your picture - remember the more you extend or shorten the depth of your image this becomes the focus. The lower your depth of field the more your background will go out of focus and vice-versa.

8. Movement - you can achieve this by having your subject still while you are moving, or the other way around but I like when both my subject and myself are moving - a kind of 'photographic tango' if you like.

9. Self portraits - all you need is a timer on your camera to take a self portrait - its is a great way to understand light and capture how your subject feels.

10. Group shot - take extra frames - the more people you have in the shot, the higher the chances of someone being out of sync - remember everyone blinks at different times.