Do sunless tanning lotions work?

In a couple days I have dance pictures, and I'm really pale. I don't want to get a spray tan or go tanning and it's not sunny outside to tan so I bought some sunless tanning lotion. I don't know whether I should use it or not. I don't want to look orange and I don't want it to look blotchy. What do you think about it? Should I use it or not?