How to Pose for Pictures, Because Who Has Time to Untag Unflattering Instagrams?

When posing for a photo, push your chin and head slightly forward. It feels kind of unnatural, but on film it does wonders for making your face look thinner and your jawline appear sharper.

Again, get used to a slight push forward. This will emphasize your collarbone and make your arms look thinner. Good posture also makes you look more polished and elegant, which is never a bad thing.

Instead of facing the camera head on, pivot slightly, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your front toe toward the camera and put your weight on your back foot. This creates a longer line from your head to your toes, and a more flattering silhouette all around.

Group photos present a conundrum. Everyone wants to look good and no one wants to be on the outside of the group (where you typically look the largest). We’re not advocating bodychecking your way into the middle (where you’ll look narrower), but we’re also not advocating not.

Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth, when smiling for a pic. The resulting expression is way more relaxed than maniacal.

You know you should smile with your eyes…but what does that actually mean? Start with squinching. Basically, you tighten your eyes slightly—like you’re squinting—while subtly relaxing your top lids and letting the lower ones do more of the work (where the “pinching” motion comes into play). Here’s a video how-to if you’re a more of a visual learner.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the old “Say cheese!” thing is a farce. And it makes your smile look kind of forced and unnatural. If you have to say something, we suggest "money," which allows your mouth to stay slightly open and come across as much more genuine.

As much as you don’t want to focus on pictures where you don’t love the way you look, it’s a good learning experience. Go through your camera roll and your tagged photos to pinpoint what it is about the photo you don’t like (say, your smile looks semi-deranged) and try to fix the issue moving forward (say, by saying "money" instead of "cheese").

We’re not above a few dozen shameless mirror selfies, especially if it means looking amazing when a real photo happens. Find your best pose, stick to it and don’t let anyone make fun of you for always doing the same thing with your face in group shots.

As much as you might want to (or think you need to), don’t suck in your stomach in photos. Your discomfort will show on your face and your shoulders will look slumped. Instead, project confidence in yourself and your pose.

Now, we’re certainly not advocating for Photoshop or anything that would make you unrecognizable in person, but there’s a reason Instagram filters exist—they’re your friends. The right filter choice can take a mediocre photo to the next level. “Whoa, is that Gisele Bündchen?” your friend asks. “Nope, just me in ‘rise.’” Consult this handy guide before posting your next snap.

Save your oversized knits for another day. On photo day, opt for a form-fitting style in a lighter fabric to avoid adding any bulk to your frame. A simple sweater also helps to tone down flashier bottoms or accessories.

Much more forgiving than skinny jeans, a wide-legged pant skims your hips and creates the illusion of longer, leaner legs. Wear them with the aforementioned fitted sweater to keep proportions in check and the overall look streamlined.

As far as fashion trends go, the midi skirt is the great equalizer in that it works on anyone and is appropriate for almost any occasion. So, bust out your trusty fit-and-flare or try a wrap style for an extra-slimming effect.

A nude two-strap heel lengthens your legs, straightens your posture and doesn’t clash with anything else you’re wearing. It’s the most popular shoe on the red carpet for good reason.

This classic layering piece does for your torso what the nude heel does for your legs: elongates. Just make sure to undo a button or two up top, to keep it from looking stuffy.

This style is also supremely flattering because it shows off your shoulders and collarbones while keeping your upper arms (aka the widest part of your arm) covered. If you have a larger bust, look for something that's more fitted than loose (which can make things appear bigger) and opt for darker colors like black or navy.

There’s nothing like a good structured shoulder. Go for a sharp suiting look or tame a maxi dress with a sleek blazer that hides a multitude of sins (like those aforementioned brunch food babies).

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