How to Look Thinner in Photos

Many people are surprised when they appear fuller in photos than they do in real life. If you’ve experienced this, you can easily look slimmer by choosing outfits that create a slimming effect every time you take a picture. Another effective method is adjusting your posture and using some photography tips.

Balance loose and fitted clothing for a proportionate look. Pair wide-leg pants with a fitted top or tuck a loose blouse into a short skirt. Tight-fitting clothes can accentuate areas you might not want to draw attention to, while overly loose clothing can make you appear larger.

• If you want to avoid drawing attention to a particular area, choose looser clothing for that region.

Choose a long cardigan or vest jacket to make your upper body look slimmer. Both of these types of jackets that reach the hips can give you a taller and slimmer appearance. Pair either style with any color or pattern, combined with a dark dress, blouse and skirt, or shirt and trousers.

Wear a belt to accentuate an hourglass figure. If you have a smaller waist, a belt will help draw attention to your slender waistline. However, make sure the belt size complements your body shape – wide belts are perfect for taller individuals, while narrow belts suit those with shorter statures.

• A wide belt is the perfect accessory for dresses, blouses and skirts, shirts and trousers, or any outfit combination.

Wear flat-front trousers without pleats to make your legs look longer. Avoid trousers with pleats in the front, as they can make the waist appear larger. Wide-leg pants that start from the hips will make your legs appear longer and more toned. Flared, pleat-free pants with a bit of stretch will highlight your body’s curves. Try to avoid pants with pleats in the front, as they tend to make the waist look bigger.

• Opt for dark-colored trousers, such as black, gray, or navy blue, for a slimming effect.

Choose black clothing or vertical stripes for a slimmer appearance. Regardless of what you wear, dark colors are always a great choice for a leaner look. Additionally, if you like patterns, vertical stripes create a slimming effect. You can also go for other patterns, as long as they are dark, with low contrast, and proportionate to your overall size.

• Avoid wide horizontal stripes, as they can often make people appear larger.

Instead of turning your whole body left or right, try slightly tilting your body. While facing the camera directly might make you appear fuller, rotating your body completely to one side emphasizes your midsection. Instead, stand facing the camera and shift your weight onto one leg. Push your hip on that leg backward, relax the other leg in front, and bend your knee.

• Move the shoulder on the weighted leg backward, while bringing the opposite shoulder forward and slightly lowering it.

Avoid pressing your arms too close to your body. Placing your arms tight against your body can make them look bulkier in photos. Instead, simply relax your arms.

Place your hand on your hip. To prevent your arms from pressing against your body, you can rest your hand on your hip. Or, if you're wearing pants with pockets, slide your hand into the pocket to keep your arms from being pushed against your body.

Hide part of your body behind someone else in group photos. When taking group shots, use the people around you to your advantage! Lean your body so one side is hidden behind another person to create a slimmer look in the photo.

• In large group photos with multiple rows, avoid standing in the front row if you want to appear slimmer. Opt for the middle or back rows, even if you're not tall.

Sit up straight and avoid slouching. When posing for seated photos, avoid slouching to prevent your stomach from showing. Instead, push your chest out and keep your back straight. You can even try taking a deep breath to make your chest expand.

Cross your ankles while sitting. A great tip for a flattering seated photo is to cross your ankles instead of your whole legs. Crossing your legs at the knee can accentuate larger thighs, especially if you're wearing a skirt.

• You can cross any part of your legs while posing for seated photos.
• Always sit up straight whenever you're being photographed.

Lift your chin and extend it forward. To avoid the appearance of a double chin in photos, tilt your head back slightly. Push your chin forward to make your neck look more defined.

• Practice tilting your chin and moving it forward in the mirror to find the best angle that flatters your face.

Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth while smiling. Sometimes, smiling during a photo can cause your eyes to squint and your cheeks to appear fuller. To prevent this, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth as you smile.

• Your smile may appear a bit more subtle, but it will still look beautiful in the photo.
• Practice this smile in front of the mirror to see how it looks, and adjust the tongue position if you feel your smile looks too forced.

Add some volume to your hair. If you wear your hair up, try a loose ponytail rather than a tight bun or pulling it straight back. For loose hair, go for curls or waves to draw attention to your face and balance out your features, or add volume to straight hair by using volumizing powder at the roots.

• Adding volume to your hair will help your head and face look more balanced. Men can add volume with a pompadour style or by using volumizing powder at the roots.

Place the camera above eye level. When taking selfies, avoid holding the camera below your eye level. This angle is often unflattering and can make your face look bigger. If someone else is taking your picture, ask them to hold the camera higher. The most flattering angle is above eye level.

• Avoid looking down at the camera when someone else is photographing you or during selfies for the best facial angle.

Avoid direct sunlight when taking outdoor photos. Sunlight can make you squint in outdoor photos, making your cheeks and jaw appear fuller. It's better to take outdoor photos during late afternoon to avoid harsh sunlight.

• If you must take photos in bright sunlight, try standing with your back to the sun to avoid squinting.

Use dark filters. Most smartphones and digital cameras come with filters that allow you to adjust the brightness or contrast of your photos. Try using filters that make your photos darker or give them a golden tone to see which one gives you the best results.