5 Ways to Look Better in Pictures (SUPER Easy Tips!)

FREE BUDGET WORKSHEET DOWNLOAD!

Name

Email

sign up

We all want to look our best when it comes to the camera. Here are 5 tips on how to look better in pictures. SUPER easy!

 5 Ways for How to Look Better in Pictures

I'm so stinkin' excited about this post!

Several years ago the entire PPP team was able to meet for a few days in San Diego at a conference, and oh my goodness, I just love these girls! We all work virtually across the country, so at the time, I hadn't met a few in real life before, and we had NEVER all been in one place at the same time.

Jamie, Nicole, Laurie, Cheryl and Shannon

While we were meeting of course we had to have a picture, and my sweet friend Jamie told us she knew some secrets to making us look cute in pictures. (As you can imagine, we were ALL up for that.) So of course we decided she needed to give you and me both a lesson. 🙂

 How to Look Better in Pictures

These first pics were taken at the airport in San Diego at 5:30 AM before flying out. Just sayin'. 😉

We all want to look our best when it comes to the camera – a bad picture of yourself can make you feel crummy, while a good one can help boost your self confidence.  Plus – sometimes you just plain want to downplay your trouble areas. (I have several)  Here are some of my favorite tips on how to look better in pictures!

1 . Move the Camera Up, Up, Up!

This is one of my favorite ways to look instantly slimmer!  Whatever the camera is closest to will look the largest.

By moving the camera from torso or chest level to forehead level – the focus shifts to your face and shoulders, and the rest of your body appears smaller. (Accentuate the positive, right?). It also decreases the chance of shadows on your face.

As a bonus, you tend to look up at the camera rather than down. Which leads us to #2 ...

(This picture shows how a lower camera focus widens you visually)

2 . Ditch the Double Chin

I personally give myself a double chin just taking a sip of coffee.  (They sneak up on me way too easily these days)

No one wants the dreaded double or triple chin in a photo – and looking down can do just that.  Since the camera is already nice and high it makes sense to tilt your head just slightly upwards and watch the double chin elongate and disappear. This will have you feeling confident in photos too!

3 . Position Your Arms to Flatter Your Waist

Resist the urge to hold your arms straight at your side because visually it makes you wider.  I would add that any pose that smooshes them flat against you makes them looks sort of… larger, right?

Instead, bend your elbows and rest your hands towards the front of your hip area.  (Pretend your hands are in you front pockets – that's where you want 'em!). Now push both your shoulders and your elbows back slightly for good posture and a slimmer silhouette.

If it feels awkward at first – you're doing it right.  Laurie totally laughed through this one 🙂

4 . Angle Your Body Slightly

Turning your body just a tad to the side makes your hips look slimmer.  (Think about 45 degrees)

5 .  Put One Foot in Front of the Other

Point one leg out toward the camera and then crossing it over the other at the ankle or calf area.  This move makes your legs look longer and in fact, lengthens your whole silhouette.

6 . Group Picture Tip!

If you're taking a group photo – the best place to be is in the middle with your body angled slightly!   It makes a huge difference, and you'll instantly look smaller.

Bonus Tip: My friend Shannon is TINY (seriously, so teeny), but her shirt in the wind did not cooperate in our group photo up top. So a bonus tip is…. If you're wearing a billowy clothing item make sure you have it pinned to your body with your arm so it doesn't add visual bulk.

Here she is on the way to an 80's themed gathering at the conference, looking quite a bit less “billowy” 😉

We'd love to hear what other tips you have for how to look better in pictures. Goodness, this is one we all struggle with, right? Leave your comments to share ~ we love hearing from you!