Support for all file types, not just images

The previous version of PhotoCannon only let you send JPG or PNG files. Now you can send whatever kind of file you want. Maybe I should change the name to PhotoAndOtherStuffTooCannon.

New pricing scheme

Pricing is now based on how much data you send: $2.00 plus $1.00 for every GB sent. So if you send 1GB then it’s $3.00. It’s prorated as well, so if you send only 500 MB then it would be $2.00 + $0.50 = $2.50.

And you’re no longer limited to the number of people you can send to or the number of files you can send. Now you can send as much or as little as you’d like. Sending under 50 MB of data is free, so you can try PhotoCannon out and see how it works for you.

I’m excited about these changes and hope that you are too. I think this makes PhotoCannon an even better tool for sharing your photos, videos, and all your files with friends and family.

Let me know what you think.

It might be because you care more about the GDP in Bolivia than you do Paris Hilton, which is completely fair. Incidentally, the Bolivian GDP was $7.9 billion in 2002 for those of you scoring at home. Nerds.

The other reason you haven’t noticed her gigantic size 11s before is that if Paris Hilton knows anything, it’s how to pose for a picture. Looking your best in pictures is all about minimizing your flaws and maximizing your strengths. Paris and other celebrities know the secret to great pictures almost every time: It’s all in the pose.

So if you want to take a hot profile picture for Facebook or just look great in all your pictures, you could learn a thing or two from Miss Hilton. Read on to look your best from head to toe in front of the camera.

Don’t Tilt Your Head or Pucker Up

You may think it’s cool to tilt your head, pucker your lips, and give that “whazzup” nod to the camera. You’re wrong. Tilting your head or puckering up makes most people look immature. Some people can pull it off. You’re likely not one of them. Sorry to break it to you like that, but it’s tough love here.

Don’t Have a Tight Expression

Nothing’s worse than looking at what would have been a great picture of you and your friends only to have someone say, “Why do you look like you have to take a doodie in this one?” Not cool. Avoid this common picture-killer by doing one simple thing: relax. Relax your face and don’t force anything. Let the smile come naturally. Speaking of smiling…

Smile With Your Eyes, Not Your Lips

You’ve heard the whole “eyes are the window to your soul” thing, right? Well, we don’t need to get quite that philosophical for you to take a good MySpace picture, but your eyes are a pretty important part of the good picture equation.

A sure way to ruin a smile is to concentrate solely on your lips. Doing this usually makes the smile look fake or forced. Try doing this instead: stand in front of a mirror and think about something that makes you genuinely happy. Notice how your eyes kind of light up first and the rest of your face follows suit. That’s the kind of smile you’re looking for. By the way, you should probably do this in the bathroom with the door closed so no one thinks you’re that into yourself, you diva.

Tilt Your Head Up and Push It Forward a Bit

Tilting your head up allows more light to hit your face, which is a good thing. Pushing your head forward just a tad eliminates any double chin action you might have going on, which is a great thing.

Put Your Shoulders Back, Stand Up Straight, Eat Your Vegetables, Clean Your Room… Oh Wait

Sorry. I got carried away there. You really just need to do those first two things. Okay, you probably actually do need to clean your room too, but that’s not the point here.

Keeping your shoulders back and standing up straight exudes confidence. Combine this move with all the head and face tips above and you’re well on your way to a great picture.

Rotate Your Body

Most people don’t look their best head-on. It’s true. Go ahead. Go stand right in front of some of the people around you and look a them. I’ll wait. Don’t get punched.

See what I mean? Turn your body about 45 degrees away from the camera and then turn your face back directly towards the lens. This creates a slimming effect that helps combat those annoying 10 pounds the camera adds.

Don’t Put Your Arms At Your Side

Try your best to keep your arms from resting right against your body, as this presses the arm flesh out and makes them look bigger. Putting a hand on your hip is a great natural way to avoid this problem. It slims your arms and helps add to that look of confidence we’re going for.

Cross Your Legs

Again, this goes back to the “nobody looks good head-on” thing. Standing straight with both legs facing the camera is a more aggressive and masculine pose. Unless you’re posing for the football team picture – and if you are you should probably not be reading this – you probably want to present a softer look to the camera.

Put one leg in front of the other and put your weight on your back foot. Point your front foot directly toward the camera. It’s also a good idea to bend both of your legs a little bit to make you appear more relaxed. Arranging your legs and feet like this is another slimming effect that makes your hips appear smaller.

Absolutely No Pictures From Below. Ever.

If people don’t look their best head-on, they really don’t look their best from below. This isn’t a good angle for anyone, as it generally adds weight to your appearance. So if you’re taking the “before” picture for a weight-loss pill ad, then be my guest. Otherwise avoid this angle at all costs.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

There are a lot of tips here and it can be overwhelming to try and remember everything at once, so there’s nothing wrong with practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend. In fact, I’d say practicing with a friend is even better. Grab a camera and take turns taking pictures of each other. Give each other feedback on how you’re doing and you’ll get better that much faster.

It may feel silly to do some of these things at first but they really do work, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. These tips are used by celebrities all the time whose livelihoods depend on looking good in front of the camera. It works for them and it will work for you too.

Keep it up and you’ll be able to strike a fabulous pose like Paris in no time. You may not be as rich or famous, but you’ll look great in your pictures almost every time. And you won’t have been in The Hottie & The Nottie either, and that’s never a bad thing.

Who says being hunted isn’t cool? I sure think it is. The folks over at Cool Hunting gave PhotoCannon a little shout-out today.

Money quote: “With PhotoCannon, all of the drama stays in your photos.”

I like that. Can we steal… err, borrow it?

Thanks, Cool Hunting!

After months of beta testing with friends and family, the PhotoCannon launch is here. I’m very excited about the product and hope that you are too. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think of it.