Many people, especially women, want to look their best in pictures...and that means looking as good as possible. How many times have you looked at one of your pictures and said "Wow, do I look a little heavier than usual in this shot?" Or how about "That picture doesn't look like me at all!"

Let's talk about some of the ways you can position yourself to look great. It's not about looking skinny, that isn't the intention of this article, it's about looking right.

Act natural
It's a general rule in photography to act natural. If you don't act like yourself, the picture won't really reflect who you are. Remember not to hold your breath and never look straight into the lens of the camera. I usually try to look at the top of the person's head taking the picture. Fake, large smiles often don't work well. Remember, if your cheeks are hurting when you try to smile, then you're probably trying to hard. Relax!

Turn slightly to the side while standing
If you're taking a group shot, or a full body shot where you'll be photographed from toe to top, you should always remember to turn slightly to the side. Professional photographers will most always have you turn a little, as shots taken straight on don't look as good.

Use this tip in a casual setting too. Just turn a little to one side and keep your head facing forward. This works great for people who have broad shoulders that make them feel insecure. Look at Figure A for an example of a standing picture.

FIGURE A

This shot shows a standing picture with the body turned to one side. See the nice, even distribution of the body. Click picture for a larger image.

Cross your arms to draw attention away from your stomach
Figure A also shows another great tip for looking good in a picture. This picture was taken for headshot purposes, so I've lightly crossed my arms. This also can draw away from your stomach if you're insecure about it. Don't cross your arms in a group picture unless everyone else is doing it, otherwise you'll appear grumpy.

Don't cross your legs
If there was one solid piece of advice I could offer you when taking a standing picture, it would have to be: don't cross your legs. You'll see a lot of celebrities on the red carpet crossing one foot over the other for the paparazzi. They think it makes them look slimmer and taller, but in reality, it just makes them look like they have to go to the bathroom.