They say a picture is worth a thousand words… so read on! Photos have never filled a more pervasive role in our society than now. Whether you’re glancing through the Sunday Styles section of The New York Times or checking out your own pics in The Sheet, it’s hard to ignore the fact that photographers are everywhere. Over the past few weeks, you’ve most likely seen the bug-eyed photo of the “Runaway Bride,” Jennifer Wilbanks, endlessly flashed on TV. Is that how Jennifer really looks? Possibly. Is it her best likeness? Probably not. Yet this is the image embedded in our memories.

If you’re a boldname, there are countless amateurs on the street waiting to take your picture (now even easier with cell phone cameras) when you least expect it and sell it where you least want it sold. And some celebs are recklessly taking their own embarrassing photos. Consider unlucky heiress Paris Hilton: Still reeling from the shock of seeing clips on the Internet from her home-video sexploits with an ex-boyfriend, she found that her T-Mobile Sidekick II had been hacked. Numerous nude and explicit “self-portrait” camphone photos were posted online. The lesson is: Don’t store them if you don’t plan on sharing them.

Of course, not all photo faux pas are self-inflicted. Last year’s Presidential race put a few more boobs in the spotlight — and we’re not talking about the candidates. As Dad hit the campaign trail last May, would-be First Daughter Alexandra Kerry hit the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, where she learned — a hundred flashbulbs too late — that her dress wasn’t as conservative as it had appeared. Under the high-wattage lights, the black one-shoulder frock became nothing more than a translucent curtain! Our guess is that Alexandra wished she hadn’t worn those white cotton granny panties. A good strapless bra may not have been a bad idea, either.

What could be worse than appearing in a veiled X-rated state? Appearing completely unsheathed! Take party gal Tara Reid: Amidst a sea of flashbulbs outside P. Diddy’s fall birthday bash, she flashed right back. The clueless blonde bombshell naively posed for a solid 15 seconds in a black, loose-fitting Christian Dior “slip” dress—with her left breast completely exposed, before a publicist rushed to her aid. Apparently, Reid revealed more than just a peek-a-boob—her fresh scars from a recent boob job hit the ‘net faster than we could say, “Thanks for the mammaries!”

Not to alarm anyone, but should you be arrested, a photo would freeze that moment in time. Don’t balk. It’s happened to Martha Stewart, Sam Waksal, Alfred Taubman, Dede Brooks, Kenneth Lay, Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Grant, Eddie Murphy, P. Diddy, Kimora Lee Simmons, Nick Nolte, Robert Blake, Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on. Perhaps we need a new version of The Blue Book (the Hamptons’ social register) — for the incarcerated! Just “Google” the words “Celebrity Mug Shots” to find links to examples of terrible likenesses. Taken with mediocre equipment, in the worst possible lighting, of subjects under extreme stress, these photos were once safely tucked away in court files. Not any more! Today, they mysteriously find their way into mainstream media, so that all can marvel, “How can he/she look so bad?”

It’s time you realized that looking good when photographed is not just a stroke of luck. You must take pro-active steps. Many people have mastered the art of posing — whenever a flash goes off.

The simple reason so many of you have told me that I take the best photos of you is this: Attitude! As a photographer, I like to capture the energy, style, and essence of a subject quickly in my lens. And I can accomplish that with my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Digital Camera—a super-lightweight, high-performance camera with a Leica DC lens. It’s all about capturing the who of who you are that is most attractive.

Take a look inside this Memorial Day/June issue. Peruse the photos at the various benefits and bashes. Do you recognize yourself, your friends, your acquaintances? What is it about the photos that you like? Remember, it doesn’t help to stiffen up in front of the camera.

In celebration of summer, and in preparation for any immediate plans to step out on the red carpet, the benefit circuit, Park Ave., Worth Ave., or in the Hamptons, here are tips from moi, the photographer of record for each cover photo of this publication, and for most of the inside shots. Get ready for your close-up!

1. Think of a moment in time that makes you happy (tough if you’re being arrested, but try!).

2. Know your best side! Practice in front of a mirror (“Mirror, mirror, on the wall/Which side is the fairest of all?”).

3. Three-quarter poses are great. First, look head on, then turn a little to the right or left (depending on which is your better side).

4. Lift your chin up a bit, while looking at the camera. This works miracles when your goal is to avoid the appearance of a double chin. (Caution: This doesn’t work for every chin, like “losing those extra pounds” might.).

5. Don’t rule out physical changes. Many times, I’ve been told that after seeing his/her photo in The Sheet, a boldname has immediately gone on a diet. (As for who opted for cosmetic surgery, I’ll never tell!)

6. Show who you are — look directly into the camera. Some people will just not do that. In my opinion, this reveals a fear of being known (you know who you are!). Remember, the eyes are the windows to the soul. Enough said.

Everyone can look good in a photo...so head up, tilt to the side (3/4, now!), chin up, breathe, and say, “Cheese!” Or, as Ivana Trump puts it, say “Sex!” And when I see you at all the best events this season, go for it!