How to look 10 pounds lighter in pictures

Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and thought "What the f#@*? Do I really look like that?"

You know how it all goes - you get all cute to go out, grab the digital camera to take some really cute pics of you and friends to post on Facebook...you have a few drinks, snap a lot of pics that seem ok on the teeny-tiny screen. Then you download them the next morning and you have that moment when you ask yourself, "are my arms really that fat?"

The answer is no. They are not that fat! When the camera finds you at weird angles, you fall victim to double chins, flabby arms, wide midsections, strange shadows on your face, crazy or fake smile and just not looking like yourself. You certainly can't post those on Facebook now can you?

Well, let me tell you a few things that I've learned about how to take a really good picture. And believe me, I've learned this the hard way. There are some not so flattering pics out there of me. Hopefully you haven't seen any of them.

Plus I gotta show off my new look! I got bangs!!! Ad man likes it which makes me happy!

Ok, so here is a before pic of me...



And the after pic...



How is this done? Just a couple simple tricks that you should begin using NOW. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas are all approaching and all full of photo opps.

1. Hand on hip always. When you put that hand on your hip, you will show off the best part of your arm. It will look leaner and it will accentuate a waist (even if you don't have one).

2. Angle your body. Anyone can look wide when they are straight on to the camera. Always slightly turn your body to one side or the other. Not full profile, but about 3/4 to the side.

3. Shoot from above, NEVER below. If you've ever had a pic taken from below you, you know what I'm talking about. Chins tend to double, arms tend to widen and legs look short and stumpy. None of the above are good. Be a little bossy with your photographer and tell them to get above you - up on a step, a chair, tippy-toes, whatever. And if you are sitting for a pic. Scoot to the edge of your chair. This will immediately improve your posture (making any rolls elongated).

4. Engage with the camera. Pretend that you are talking right to the camera. The best pics are the ones where you look like you are jumping out of the picture. Act like you are doing your best flirting!

5. Lift chin. No one wants a double chin. Lift slightly and at an angle. This will minimize the look of double chin.

6. Shift body weight forward. This will help you further engage. Put your weight on the front foot (while angled as above).

7. Shoot into the sun. Boo to squinty pictures. Have the photographer shoot into the sun so that your back is to it. It will ensure that you don't look like you smelled something bad.

8. Avoid lots of pics when ummm...indulging. Whether this is over-indulging in food or alcohol, avoid it. The pic with you chowing down on a slice of cake can never look attractive. And when you drink, your eyes get sleepy looking, your cheeks can get red, you think you look great, but maybe you really don't. Get some great pics early in the evening when you still have all your faculties together.

9. Look out through eyelashes. If you want a sexy or coy pic, look through your eyelashes. Rather than lifting your eyebrows and making your eyes appear really wide, blink and then act as though you are looking through your eyelashes. This isn't for the Christmas family pic, this is for a sassy party pic. Just sayin'. Grandma doesn't want to frame a pic of you looking like a sex kitten.

10. Be on the same plane as your co-pic partners, especially if they are thinner than you. Always make sure that you are in the same visual plane as others in the picture, meaning that you all are perceived to be the same size. If you are too much in the forefront, then you tend to look just plain big.

And of course the big one: try, try, try to have a real smile. Fakey is so obvious. Think of something funny, try doing one shot with an over-the-top laugh and then the next shot will actually be a real laugh (as you laugh at your fake laugh).

Hope to see some gorgeous pics of all my naked stretchers!