Tips for choosing a great headshot.

Your headshot may be one of the most important, overlooked details of the pageant. Your photo shows who you are, what your personality is like, and focuses on unique features you'd like to highlight.  Here are some simple guidelines for choosing an amazing, winning, eye-catching headshot:

1.  Make sure your photo is simple and has no distractions.  Taking a photo outside is okay and natural lighting is amazing, but just be sure to take a photo in an area with a simple background or at least have the background blurred so you are the focus.

2.  Do not wear something that has too much of a pattern and try not to over-accessorize.  Simple earrings with a clean, patternless outfit is the way to go.  When in doubt, go simple!  

3.  Don't choose a shirt that has a really odd neckline or a turtleneck.  Odd necklines make it look like you are an alien from outer-space who was born with an asymmetrical neck.  Also, turtlenecks make it look like you have a floating head.  (You don't want the judges thinking you are in a circus show, do you? ;)

4.  As far as submitting black and white or color; I am torn.  Call me old fashioned, but I always like a crisp, black and white photo.  However, if you have a really bright shirt on or a color that brings out those baby blues or chocolate brown eyes, then choose color.  As a person with dark hair and blue eyes, I found that color always worked best for me.  My hair always looks really dark in black and white photos and my skin usually looks pale with light, ghostly eyes.  So, go with what's most flattering to YOU.

5.  Your eyes are the windows to your soul.  If you are smiling, and your eyes are not, it will show.

6.  Don't overdo the retouching of the photo.  Make sure it looks like YOU.  You don't want to show up in interview and have the judges thinking you are a different person.

7.  If you look good with your hair back, be careful.  You don't want to look like you have no hair.  Style it in a way that some hair will show in the photo.  

8.  Hands in a photo can be okay if placed just right and it looks like a natural pose.  

9.  When taking photos outside, make sure you are in the shade or go out on a cloudy day.  Sunlight can make you squint and can cast weird shadows on your face.  

10.  Make sure you know your best angle.  Everyone has a good side to shoot! 

Miss Royalty International requires contestants to submit a headshot for the program book.  Hopefully, these top ten tips will help you choose the perfect photo for the program book.  If you need any help, ask your friends, family, and other pageant enthusiasts for their opinions.  Below is a collage of headshots submitted in the past for Miss Royalty International.  As you can see, they are all very different, but capture the girl in the photo.

Thank you and have a wonderful day! 

SPOTLIGHT ON....Amanda Torchia!

We are proud to present to you....

Miss Amanda Torchia, Miss Royalty International Teen!

Official headshot of Amanda Torchia - Miss Royalty International Teen.  Photo by: Fadil Berisha

We had the extreme pleasure of interviewing this lovely lady.  She is beautiful inside and out and so well-rounded.  Take a look at our exclusive interview with Amanda below:

MRI - Amanda, what do you do in your spare time?
Amanda - In my spare time, I love being around my friends and family. They always know how to make me laugh! Also I love to exercise, it's a big part of my life because I feel it's so important to have a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, I enjoy cleaning (surprisingly). I am super organized and love to organize my room!

MRI - What is your favorite hobby? 
Amanda - My favorite hobby is pageants, of course! When I was young, I was super shy and pageantry really helped me open up and gain the confidence that I have today.

Amanda taking her first walk as Miss Royalty International Teen 2014!

Amanda looking confident in her evening wear.


Amanda in her fun fashion wear.


Amanda's crowning moment!

MRI - What did you do to prepare for the pageant? 
Amanda - Lots and lots of practicing! I really do believe that practice makes perfect. I practiced my walking routines, my mom asked me interview questions at any chance she got, and I helped in selecting my competition wardrobe. It really was a fun process.

MRI - What is your advice to next year's contestants? 
Amanda - For next years contestants, my advice is to have fun! Enjoy every minute of the competition because it goes by extremely quickly and will be over before you know it.

MRI - What is your favorite vacation spot? 
Amanda - I love visiting Boca Raton, Florida. My family and I go there every summer and it's the best! My favorite part is going to the beach because I love being in the sun and going surfboarding with my brother, Antonio.

MRI - What is your favorite organization to volunteer for? 
Amanda - I recently was named an official volunteer of the Red Cross Organization and it was such an honor. I really enjoy it because my mom volunteers with me so it's a great way for us to spend time with each other!

MRI - What is your fondest memory? Amanda - My fondest memory would definitely be when I was chosen to model for Seventeen Magazine in NYC! I was so excited and it was a great experience. I have always wanted to model for Seventeen and I was happy to finally accomplish that.

Amanda posing with her issue of Seventeen Magazine!  How exciting!

MRI - What makes the Miss Royalty International pageant different from any other pageant you've done?  

Amanda - With the Miss Royalty International pageant, I felt I really was able to take something away from it. I made memories and friendships that will be with me forever and I know that it was an experience of a lifetime.

Amanda promoting her platform of living a healthy lifestyle at the Ultimate Health and Wellness Expo.

Amanda and Mrs. Royalty International having fun!

The infamous Miss Royalty International Oscar selfie!

Maria and Amanda, having too much fun at the hotel!

Amanda, Miss Royalty International Teen, pictured with Fadil Berisha.

Amanda posing in New York city!

I think think she was excited she won....what do you think? =)

We surprised Amanda with "Happy Birthday!"

As you can see, Amanda has done so much with her title already promoting living a healthy lifestyle.  She's such a great example of teens around the world, and we are looking forward to what else her year has ahead of her!  Great job, Amanda.  Keep it up!

Michelle Becker

www.missroyaltyinternational.com