That famous 2016 pose

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August 22, 2016 10:57 AM

This is a blogpost by Comfort Inyang... We've been through the phase where the 'duck-face' was the vogue pose. So what's the reigning photo pose?

Tiwa Savage

Is there a school where famous people learn how to pose for the red carpet? And if not a school then at least a rulebook which from time to time passes on from celebrities to the masses?

If you look really closely on social media, and at all the red carpet pictures of your favourite celebrities, you'll notice there’s new trend in town. This pose hasn’t been given any name yet, but for the purpose of this topic, we can call it the right leg forward and left leg backwards pose.

A really good picture is less about reality, and more about knowing how to position yourself for the camera and mastering some cute poses.

That said - in the interest of never taking a shitty photo again - here’s a quick tutorial on how to pose for pictures.

Angle your face

Unless you’re being snapped by a professional portrait photographer, it’s key to avoid direct head-on shots.

Why? Because there’ll be an absence of shadows, which could make your face look wider, larger, or slightly discolored. Instead, stand slightly sideways and tilt your chin a little bit upward or a tad downward. From there, be sure to look at something just above your natural line of sight.

Twist your body and position your arms

Position your body 45 degrees and put the arm closest to the camera on your hip. Then plant one foot slightly in front of the other, point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back leg.

Learn to smile for the camera

Smiling is a tricky thing when it comes to photos. Too big, and you look silly, but none at all can make you look broody or angry. The solution? The ‘natural’ smile you so often do when the camera’s not on you.

Smiling too wide on purpose will cause your face to tense up, your eyes to squint, and your cheeks to puff out, which aren’t the benchmarks of an attractive photo. Instead, take a beat to relax your face and open your mouth slightly, so that your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.

Practice good posture

Yes you’ve heard it a thousand times; it really does make a difference. Not only will it elongate you in photos, but it gives you an aura of strength and confidence, which is naturally alluring.

Understand proportion

It’s a basic rule. This is one of best tricks out there - and the weirdest.

Loosen up

Unless you’re a professional model, odds are that most of the photos you find yourself in are fun, casual shots with friends. As much you think ‘posing’ for these types of pictures will make you look better, the fact remains that loosening up and having a little fun will almost always make for a more flattering snap. Since you’re not trying as hard, there will be less room for error.

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is a deep-thinker, detail-finder and word-smith. She is particular about details, hence her writings are mostly musings and conversations. Especially conversations with herself and her God who she loves to no end.

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