How to pose for pictures: 8 photo hacks!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s also the most photographed time of the year, if you know what I mean. The weather permits us to wear less and festivities encourages us to take more photos, and I’m just over here like “aaack, somebody stand in front of me!” Are you that person? Do you know how to pose for pictures? Or do you mentally cringe when you see a camera and tell yourself to  “get ready to suck it all in and smile!”

Well, today I come with glad tidings of great joy, my friends! My endless watching of Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model has certainly paid off. How, you ask? Well, thanks to Miss Banks, I now know that there are ways to beat the bad photo blues.

Yes, that’s right, you can definitely learn how to pose for pictures in ways that are both flattering and appealing. Well, models have been practicing it for years, isn’t it? And Google is filled with various tuts and videos, instructing us how to do so. And now it’s time for us, normal civilians, to get in on the action too! Here’s what I’ve learnt:

Slimmer torso
Twist your torso so that one shoulder is turned towards the camera and the other away from it. A straight-on body shot will give the appearance of a wider torso. Standing at an angle will give the appearance of a slimmer torso.

Unflab your arms
Placing your hand on your hip will not only slender your arm, but it will also help to give the appearance of a more prominent waist line. If the hand on the hip pose does not work for you, try holding your arms out from your sides, slightly. The trick is to make sure your arm is not pressed against your body.

Pretty posture 
Standing and sitting up straight will help to elongate your figure. Pulling your shoulders back will also accentuate your collarbone.

Double chin no more
Elongating your neck, by pushing your face out slightly, will help to create an illusion of no double chin. Keeping your chin up and out and your face at an angle, rather than full on facing the camera, is also more flattering. A few celebrities swear that keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth will also help with making your face seem slimmer. Go figure!

Tame your eyes 
If you tend to blink a lot in photos or you seem to have a squint in your pics, try to close your eyes just before the picture is taken and open them slowly before the snap.

It’s all about the angle
Always try to avoid being photographed from below. A low angle will add on the pounds and make you look heavier than you are. A higher angle – think: above the eye line – will not only be more flattering, but when you turn your face upwards; it will elongate your neck and torso.

How to group selfie
When taking a group pic remember to never stand on the end! Stand in the middle, with your body slightly turned. This rule works especially well when the group poses in semi-circle format because whatever is closest to the camera will appear to be larger.

Sitting pretty
If you have to sit, be sure to cross your legs at your ankles. This not only looks more elegant and prevents excess thigh disclosure, it also makes your thighs and calves look slimmer. By strategically placing your arms in front of you, you can also hide any unsightly bulges.

Well there you have it! Thank you for the applause, but please, you must know that the advice is not my own. Instead, find links to their source articles below. My pleasure.

Resources:
http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-look-skinny/#ixzz3s1FUYm3v
http://dailymakeover.com/how-to-be-photogenic/#ixzz3s1DLWbBx
http://instyle.com/beauty/10-ways-look-better-pictures
http://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/how-to-look-thinner-in-photos-selfies-instagram-spring-2014/slide13
http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-look-skinny/
http://blog.ravenbergphotography.com/?p=258