If you’re a fellow petite, I am sure you know the struggle of taking good photos.  Seriously, I am a firm believer not only does the camera add 10 pounds, but it has a way of making you appear 6 inches shorter too! 

If you told me 5 years ago that I would be a blogger, I would have laughed in your face.   The camera used to be my enemy #1.  I hated the way I looked in photos.  I would get ready for a night of going out, and spending hours putting together the “perfect” outfit.   Before I left, I’d take one last look in the mirror feeling happy and confident about my appearance.   I’d be all smiles, until someone in the group would force us to take a photo and it was all downhill from there.  THAT IS NOT WHAT I LOOKED LIKE IN THE MIRROR.  I always felt I looked short and stubby.  I began doubt my appearance. It really affected my self-confidence and sometimes I’d let it ruin my night!

Before I made the decision to start blogging, I did some serious research on how to take better photos.  There are tons of petite girls out there that look long, lean, and fabulous in pictures.  What was their secret?

I found a few great tips online and started from there.  Honestly, a lot of it was trial and error.  I would experiment with different angles and poses until I came across ones that worked.   Now that I have been blogging for a while, I’ve begun to master the art of illusion to appear taller and honestly, it’s great!  I laugh when I get comments, “legs for days” on my Instagram, because anyone who’s seen me in real life knows this ain’t true!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to fool people.  I don’t believe in altering your body shape with editing apps.  I think you need to own and accept who you are, but there isn’t anything wrong with trying to capture the best version of yourself on camera.   If you can make a few minor adjustments and enjoy having your picture taken, it boosts your self-confidence that trickles down to other areas of your life!  I want all my friends and followers to take pictures they can be proud of, so that’s why I’m sharing my tips and tricks to take better photos! 

Tip #1: Have the photographer get low

Honestly, this is the #1 trick that completely revolutionized how I look in photos and it’s SO easy to do.   Most people who take your photo do it at their eye-level or higher.  Being short, this height is usually way above my own. The image is then captured at a downward angle which makes you appear shorter.   Ask the person taking your photo if they can bend down so the camera is at your eye-level or below.  I try to get them go to as low as possible.  Honestly, when it comes to being petite, I truly believe the lower the photographer, the better the shot.

Tip #2. Shoot from an upward angle

This goes with the previous tip.  Make sure the photographer has the camera or phone angled upward.   I cannot tell you how easy it is to get that “legs for days” look when the camera is tilted at an upward angle.   Talk about an optical illusion!

Tip #3 Create a waist and show some skin!

I have written tons of posts about what styles and silhouettes flatter a petite frame.   Obviously, it’s ideal to be wearing one of these styles (and 8-inch stilettos) but life happens.  Sometimes you find yourself in a photo opt when you’re not wearing your most figure-flattering ensemble, like anything baggy or bulky. That’s okay!  Form fitting clothing that exposes your waist and curves looks best on petite frames in photos.  If you are wearing a skirt or dress you’ll want to expose as much skin/leg as possible (without flashing your hoo ha 😉 .  The more skin exposed, the longer the leg appears. 

Luckily if you are in a pinch, you can easily modify your outfit to create one of these silhouettes.   On vacation in a baggy maxi dress?  Quickly bunch up the excess fabric in the back and tie it with a hair tie or rubber band (I always keep one on my wrist) before you take the shot.  Wearing a knee length skirt or longer?   Try and hike it up a bit before the shot.  You can use the hair tie trick here, too.   Wearing any type of jacket or outerwear?  Take it off and try tying it around your waist.  Lastly, if all else fails, create a waist by clasping your hands around it.  I know this can be awkward pose, but if you angle your shoulders forward, and lean into the shot it will add fluidity and make you appear much less stiff!

Tip #4 Booty back!

If you have ever taken a barre class, you know the “tuck” tailbone position. Or if you take yoga, the cat/cow pose.   If you’re taking straight-on photos, you want the cow pose, or the “untuck” position with your tailbone.  Standing straight legs apart pulling your tailbone or booty back, elongates your legs pulling them away from the camera.  Whatever is closest the lense appears larger and wider, so you want your legs to be the body part farthest away from the camera to create the illusion of them being slimmer and longer. 

Tip #5:  The “S” curve

This was another game-changer for me.  You create an “S” curve of your body simply by shifting your hips or weight to one leg. You instantly appear longer and slimmer as the eye follows the lines up the angles and curves of your body.   In my photos, I usually put all my weight into my back leg with my hip popped.  I put the other slightly out in front of me pointing my toe to elongate the line of my leg.   I usually like my legs straight and far apart because I think it creates more length and negative space!  Legs crossed in front works too, though.  I also sometimes bend the front leg which also creates a flattering affect. 

Tip #6:  Fill the frame

You want to be the significant part of the photo, with your body filling up most of the shot.  If you look at most of my photos there is very little space above my head or below my feet.  If you are petite, this helps you appear taller.   If the focus of the frame is on the backdrop or scenery you will be overpowered.  Not only that, the eye will no longer be drawn to all those wonderful curves and angles that help elongate and accentuate your body! 

Tip #7: Try to relax and have fun!

Trust me, as someone who sometimes has to take pictures in the middle of the street with a million people pointing and laughing, this isn’t easy.  It’s important to remember why you are taking this photo in the first place.  Sometimes we get so caught up in social media trying to get the perfect shot or portray the perfect image we lose sight of what really matters.  It’s not just about capturing the visual, but the emotions you felt during that moment in time.  A photograph should be personal.  It’s YOUR keepsake of a memory, not anyone else’s.

So when I get self-conscious about people pointing and laughing when I take my blog photos I just focus on the reason I’m taking this photo: I love fashion and I love my outfits.  My outfits makes me feel something: sexy, cool, wild, pretty, strong….confident.   I channel that feeling and tune out everything around me.  It’s just about me in the moment doing what makes ME feel good.  That’s when the magic happens and I get my best shots.  My emotions translate into my body language and facial expressions. Being able to capture that feeling in a single frame? I think that’s what makes a good photo.

I hope this post gave you some tools and tips you can use to take photos you can feel confident in and good about!  Remember, don’t do it from the ‘gram….do it for you!

Do you guys have any secrets or tips for appearing taller or looking better in photos? Let me know in the comments below!

-Shop My Looks From The Post-