Posing Tips to Look Thinner in Pictures (For Any Body Shape)

Do you want posing tips to look thinner in pictures for any body shape?

We all know we are gorgeous, beautiful and unique, but sometimes we want to look slimmer.

Here are some posing tips to help melt away the unwanted pounds for photoshoots.

How to Pose for Pictures to Look Thinner: 9 Posing Tips

The first key to looking thinner is to hold yourself with confidence.

Self-esteem is key. When you feel confident, your posture changes and you become radiant.

Here are some amazing tips that make you thinner and more photogenic.

1. Posture is Everything

When taking pictures to look slimmer, posture and poses are everything.

One of the key posing tips is simply knowing how to work the camera during a photo shoot.

I learnt how to pose like a pro when I lived in Cuba.

It was surprising to discover that a country with no advertising had mastered the art of posing.

The bum is curved out, a shoulder is thrust back, and the chin is pouted.

These posing tips combine to amplify the beauty and uniqueness of the model.

• How to pose people for pictures

2. Shoulders Back

Posing with your shoulders back will make you look thinner and taller.

Rounder, hunched shoulders crumple your body into a heftier form.

Avoid slouching at all costs during a photo shoot, or the result will be an unflattering photo.

Opening up your chest will elongate your torso. Creating an elegant and slimming stance that exudes confidence.

While trusting the shoulders back is key, it is also important not to appear stiff.

Make sure to breathe, relax and enjoy the shoot.

• Best poses for females

3. Longer Neck

Lengthen your neck, drawing it up high from your shoulders.

This will give your face a thinner look, lengthen your body and magically eradicate a double chin.

If your neck is slouched into your shoulders, you run the risk of looking bedraggled.

And horror of horrors, the dreaded double chin could rear its horrible head.

4. Angle to the Side

The most flattering angle to take your photo is a 45-degree angle.

Sounds strange? Well, it’s tried and tested and true.

You will always look the widest when photographed front on.

Posing sideways isn’t a favoured position, as belly bulges can easily be noticed.

To slim down your appearance, stand at a slight angle to the camera, with one leg behind the other.

So remember, when posing, don’t go for the complete side view.

The 45-degree angle pose will successfully produce an elegant slimline look.

5. Lean Back and Relax

Lean back away from the camera, and the tummy fat will roll away.

You only need to lean back slightly to achieve the desired effect; be careful not to overdo it.

This simple posing trick is great for hiding your belly area.

It’s a great slimming trick to have up your sleeve during the festive seasons.

• Is the Mirror or Camera More Accurate?

6. Watch Arm Placement

Arm placement can be crucial in generating a slimming effect in a photo.

Simply keeping your arms away from the body can shave pounds off your entire body.

When the arms are squashed close to the body, they merge visually with your body. This will make your torso look wider.

The arms will also appear wider as the muscle is flattened against your body.

There are many ways to position and place your arms to look slimmer.

Try bending your arms and holding them away from your body.

Or place your hands on your hips with your elbows bent.

Watch out; you’re going to look sassy and super slim.

7. Cross your Legs at the Feet

Cross your legs at your feet, not your knees, for a slimmer look when sitting down.

Placing one foot in front of the other will streamline your figure for a slender and graceful look, much like in these popular feet picture ideas.

Crossed legs tend to look knobbly, adding extra bulk.

Ever wondered how to make your legs look thinner in photos? Lengthened legs look sleek and stylish while adding height to your form.

These poses are all used on the red carpet. You will see the rich and famous posing with their shoulders back, legs in front and arms out.

If you’ve ever wondered how to look thinner in your wedding photos, the crossed-leg posing tip is a great one.

8. Arched back

Another trick to add to your list of posing tips is to arch your back.

This will create a curved form and waistline while extending your torso.

Use it to enhance your overall appearance, but ensure it feels comfortable.

Spend time in front of your mirror to practice and improve different postures.

But don’t trust your mirror completely. They have a naughty habit of making you look fatter.

• Why do I look fat in the mirror?

9. Pose for a Slimmer Face

You have refined the angles of a perfectly arched back and twisted for the best side view.

You know you look so beautiful, extra photogenic and also so thin.

Let’s not forget how to make your face look thinner in photos and eradicate any chance of a double chin.

Position your face toward the camera with your chin jutting out, removing any chance of a double chin.

Ever wondered what camera angle makes you look skinnier? Keep your face slightly angled away from the camera.

Another neat trick is to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

This will lift and help tighten the muscles in your cheeks.

If possible, ask the photographer to shoot from a higher angle; this will help you slim down your face.

And to finish off the posing tips, if a posture feels awkward, it probably won’t look good either.

Take the time to relax, take a deep breath, and balance between photos.

Good posture is a powerful tool. It exudes confidence with the bonus of making you feel great, too.

The result is bound to be an incredible photo.

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How to Dress to Look Slimmer

There are many tricks and costume tips for looking slimmer with clothing.

Here are the slimming dress codes I use.

1. Wear High Heels

Here’s the top cheat’s tip – wear high heels.

Heels will instantly make you appear taller, leaner and longer.

Adding a few inches to your height is trumps for looking like you’ve shed pounds from your frame. Easy!

2. Wear Well Fitted Attire

Whatever you do, don’t hide under bulky clothing. Instead, wear well-fitted, tailored clothing.

You might think a flowing dress will help cover bumps and bulges, but it can have the opposite effect.

Bulky clothing can make you appear large and frumpy instead of hiding curves.

The best style option is fitted tailored clothes (that’s a tip direct from the Cuban’s handy book).

But don’t have your clothing strapped skin-tight. This can over-accentuate and enhance bumps.

3. Slimming Back with Black

When it comes to slimming colours, black is a steadfast friend.

Black is well known for its magical slimming abilities, whereas lighter colors will amplify curves and bulk out your figure.

The color black creates a continuous flow. It removes all shadows and acts like a bulge camouflager.

Wear black to minimise contours and curves and achieve an elongated look.

4. Stripes or Patterns

A big thank you to perpendicular striped clothing for its slimming properties.

They naturally slim and elongate your body by leading the viewer’s eye up and down your body.

However, avoid stripes that run horizontally across your body.

The horizontal stripe will have the opposite effect and widen your torso.

When selecting clothing, it is best to avoid busy patterns if possible.

They have a habit of drawing attention to bumpy areas that you’d rather hide.

Choose perpendicular stripes if you want to use a pattern for a thinner look. Vertical lines will create the illusion of height.

How to Pose to Hide Belly Fat

There are a few neat ways to hide belly fat. You can use a prop, lean back and stretch or wear black.

Props are a photographer’s best friend for creating photography tricks and illusions.

They are wonderful at distracting the viewer’s eye away from an area.

Use your handbag or another object to conceal belly fat by placing it in front of your tummy.

Viola, no unwanted tummy bulges will be visible in the photograph.

Another option to camouflage a pot belly is to wear black.

Black will streamline your figure and hide bumps – if you’ve ever wondered how to look thinner in bikini photos, black is your best friend.

Lastly, work on lengthening your torso; lean back or stretch upwards.

Sometimes, this is all you need to do to minimise and flatten your belly.

How to Look Thinner in Pictures Sitting Down

Don’t sit on a chair, no, no, no. Daintily perch on its edge, and you will instantly look thinner.

The perched pose is more appealing, requiring you to flex your muscles and sit upright.

This pose will lengthen your torse and force you to arch your back. This will give your figure a graceful, slender curve.

Sitting on the edge of a chair, step, or wall can encourage you not to sit cross-legged.

Crossed legs interrupt the smooth, natural line of your legs.

Sitting deep in a chair can often result in slumped shoulders and a concave back.

Try posing in different seated positions using a mirror before the photoshoot.

This will help you find your best seated slimming pose.

• Most flattering sitting poses

How to Look Slimmer in Group Photos

When posing for group or family photos, angle your body from the camera.

This flattering position has the added benefit of slimming your torso.

If everyone else in the group faces forward, their torsos will appear larger.

Try not to be situated beside someone with a petite figure.

Ballerina types have a way of making everyone around them look like the Hulk.

Instead, opt to stand beside people who are larger than you. The contrast in size will make you appear daintier.

Other slimming posing tips for group photos are standing tall and erect.

Most women want to know how to make arms look thinner in photos, and here’s the secret:

Keep your arms away from your body, and don’t hunch up; keep your shoulders back.

Put thought into what you are wearing. You can wear high heels to elongate your body.

Neatly fitted clothing and darker colors also have a slimming effect.

Tips for Photographers: How to Make Models Look Slimmer

1. Correct Lighting

Short lighting vs. broad lighting vs. flat lighting, which to use to look thinner in pictures?

Short lighting is the name given to a particular angle at which light is cast on the model.

Short lighting gives the illusion of thinness. This is because most of the model’s body and face are in shadow.

Broad lighting and flat lighting have the opposite effect. Most of the model’s features will be lit, making them appear wider.

Position the light source to the side of the model when shooting to achieve a slimmer appearance.

2. Shoot from Above to Avoid a Double Chin

Photograph from above the model to give the appearance of looking thinner.

Ensure not to shoot too high; a foot or two above you is enough.

Slight elevation or eye-level photography shoots facilitate a slimming effect.

It can also help to avoid a double chin.

3. Communicate with the Model

It is important to communicate with the model. Tell them what you want from your photoshoot.

This will help focus both you as the photographer and your subject on the shoot and your desired outcome.

Now, you are loaded up with all the photogenic tips to look thinner in photos.

Have fun posing at your next family photoshoot or in front of your mirror.