When I do portrait photos, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “can you make me look skinnier?” A photographer isn’t a miracle worker but there are some things that they (and you) can do to look thinner in your photos.

BEFORE THE SHOOT:

• Wear a proportioned outfit. If you wear baggy pants, try a snugger top. If you wear tight jeans, wear a looser fitting shirt.
• Wear a long sweater or coat to lengthen your torso.
• Wear a belt to accentuate an hourglass shape.
• Wear flat-fronted, straight leg pants to lengthen your leg line.
• Solid dark colors or vertical stripes will make you slimmer overall.

DURING THE SESSION:

• Angle your body instead of standing sideways.
• Don’t press your arms close to your body. It adds extra bulk. Try putting your hands on your hips instead.
• Hold your chin up and out to avoid the double chin look.
• Ask the photographer to hold the camera up high, above eye level and angle it downwards.