As your Bucks County family photographer, one of the most challenging (and rewarding!) parts of my job is guaranteeing that the women I photograph feel beautiful & confident.
“Make me feel amazing!” It’s a request I hear all the time from my female clients. “Make sure my double chin doesn’t show! … “Give me a butt!”… “Take away my butt!” … “And, for crying out loud, fix my arm flab!”
Thanks to the media’s definition of — and emphasis on — the “ideal” body type, so many women lack confidence in their appearance, feeling self-conscious about their perceived flaws. These insecurities are amplified by the thought of being in front of a camera.
I get it! As a woman, I can relate. As a photographer, it’s important for me to acknowledge and understand certain factors that can come together to guarantee that you walk away from your photo session — whether at your home, on location or in studio — feeling gorgeous, empowered and ready to conquer the world!
Professional Posing Tips to Look Your Best in Photos
One adult posing course I took provided several pointers designed to make Mom look good. These general posing tips work well for women of all ages:
- Create space between your arm and your body.
- In group shots, if you’re stuck on an end, it’s more flattering to reach across the body.
- Laugh — but just a little — when smiling; it’ll produce the most genuine smile and will come across well on camera.
- Always have a slight head tilt. If that feels awkward, try bringing your chin down ever so slightly.
- Arm placement is key! Position your arm on the hip or slightly off to the side.
- Lifting your shoulder just a bit adds subtle attitude and sophistication.
- Cross your leg when standing; it magically shifts the weight to your back leg!
Want to take it up a notch? As your photographer, I’ll guide you through these advanced posing strategies to make sure you dazzle the camera:
Lift the Arm — Have you ever noticed that when you stand naturally, chances are, your arms fall flat at your sides? In front of the camera, this causes several issues. First, it makes you look awkard (sorry, it just does!). Second, your arm presses against your torso, squishing your arm and making it look larger than it actually is.
Pro Tip: Position your arm on your hip, or slightly off to the side.Pull the Chin (or Ears) Forward — For most of your life, you’ve probably heard, “Sit up straight for the camera, dear.” I hate to be the one to break it to you, but that’s actually not the best advice. Sitting up straight also usually lengthens your neck and lifts your chin, resulting in a loss of jawline and a photo full of nostrils (not the look you’re going for!). No matter how in-shape or thin you are, the tiny bit of flab under your chin will be visible in photos, but it doesn’t have to! Instead, pull the ears forward by (slightly) moving your chin down, and (slightly) pushing your chin out. It’s a subtle movement that naturally lengthens and accentuates your jawline, minimizing any appearances of a double chin.
Pro Tip: Move your chin SLIGHTLY down and out — kind of like a turtle. (A bonus: when you imagine yourself as a turtle, you can’t help but chuckle at least a little, which often results in a beautiful, natural smile!)
Leave Visual Space Near the Waist — We all want to highlight our best features and downplay those we’re not so crazy about. For a lot of women, that means looking thinner in the midsection. One way to trim off a few pounds for the camera is create a naturally slim waistline by visually isolating the thinnest part of your torso. If your arm is tucked alongside your body, you’re unwittingly extending your mid-section. If you’re like most women, adding visual bulk is not the goal! Rather, accentuating your curves (in all the right places) will make you feel sexy, beautiful and feminine.
Pro Tip: Pull your arm a tad forward to reveal the space between your arm and your torso. If you’re standing:
Turn Your Shoulders — This is a very simple tip, but important! Squarely facing and staring at the camera will make you look bigger. Should I repeat that? Now, if you’re a football player going for the bulky look, that’s fine. But if you want to look feminine and sexy, slightly turning your shoulders will result in a slimmer profile. Angling away from the camera highlights curves in your back and chest. To go one step further, lean slightly toward the camera from the waist up; this slight movement brings your upper body closer to the camera, automatically shrinking the lower half of your body. (You’re welcome.) Lastly, try putting all of your weight on your back foot, pull your front foot close to the back foot, and bend your knee. Point your knee with the angle of your body (not at the camera). Voilà, you’re a model!
Pro Tip: Following my cue, angle your front shoulder slightly toward the camera, and your back shoulder slightly toward the back of the room.
Above All, Enjoy!
While being the center of attention might feel awkward at first, embrace it! Be you … fabulous you! The more you enjoy your photo shoot, the more beautiful and authentic the photos will be.
Feel your confidence. Feel your sensuality. Feel your beauty.
Not sure what to wear for your photo shoot? See my What to Wear Guide, which offers x tips for choosing clothes and accessories that will make you feel even more fabulous!.
Heather Thomas is an award-winning family and newborn photographer serving Philadelphia and Ocean City, NJ. She holds a Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in newborn, children and family photography. Known for her organic and simple style, Heather’s work has been featured in magazines and online publications around the country.
