Posing tips for pictures: 30+ secrets for memorable photos

The right pose can make all the difference in how you look in a picture, and how you feel when you revisit the moments and memories captured on camera. Posing for pictures can feel awkward, especially if you’re not sure how to stand or where to put your hands. Some people are naturally better at posing for photos than others. However, posing is a genuine skill—which means it can be learned!

In this guide, we cover the best posing tips for flattering, effortless photos that highlight your best features. From selfies to family photos, mastering the art of posing will help you feel confident in every shot.

Posing tips for arms and hands

Your arms and hands play a big role in how natural and flattering your photos look. Not knowing what to do with your hands when someone’s taking your photo is very common. Use some of these tips to go from awkward to effortless in no time—and make creating your photo book even more enjoyable.

1. Create space between your arms and torso

Straight arms and legs are boring and stiff, and a super-straight pose looks unnatural. Create visual interest by bending your arms, legs, and torso, creating space between each body part. Try leaning against a wall or sitting on the ground for a more relaxed look that naturally creates some space between your arms and body.

2. Keep a slight bend in your elbows

Stick-straight arms are not a good look in photos. They can make you look stiff and a little robotic. Instead, try bending your elbows just a bit. This small tweak adds a touch of softness to your pose and helps you look way more relaxed and confident.

3. Try crossing your arms

Beyond just bending your elbows slightly, try posing with your arms crossed lightly in front of your body. Aim for casual and relaxed, rather than annoyed.

4. Perhaps a “thinking” pose

Another version of a crossed-arms pose is to raise one hand to lightly touch the side of your face, as if you’re thinking about something. See this pose demo’d by vlogger Hannah Godwin. It adds visual interest to a composition while also avoiding the risk of “awkward arms.”

5. Rest hands lightly on hips or pockets

Caught in the “what do I do with my hands?” dilemma? Rest them lightly on your hips or slip them into your pockets. The “hand on hip” trick helps accentuate your waist and gives you something to do with your hands. Just be careful not to do it too much, or you'll look like a superhero.

Expert advice: Avoid pressing too hard into your body. A light touch is key to keeping your pose natural and flattering without looking like you’re trying too hard.

Leg and foot positioning techniques

Your legs and feet are the foundations of a great pose. The right positioning can make you look taller, more balanced, and elegant in photos.

6. Cross your ankles when seated

Crossing your ankles when seated is a simple yet effective way to create a more polished, graceful look. It gives your legs a longer, leaner appearance while keeping the pose casual and comfortable. It creates interesting angles with the legs as well.

Expert advice: Don’t hold your legs together too tightly. Let them fall gently in a relaxed position to keep the pose looking natural.

7. Shift weight to one leg while standing

Shifting your weight to one leg is a great way to create curves and avoid a "boxy" look. It gives your body more of an “S” shape and makes your pose feel more dynamic and flattering—just like the pros do on the red carpet. A slight bend in the standing leg will give the pose a smooth, natural flow.

8. Step up!

Stepping one foot up on a step, a small stool, or hidden box while the other is on the ground creates a flattering pose. The raised leg should be closer to the camera. Make sure the step is pretty low so that your knee is bent at a less-than-90-degree angle.

This demonstration from CreativeLive shows how this pose creates an interesting composition, as well as tips for adding different hand and arm poses together with the raised leg.

Head and facial expressions

Your facial expression can completely transform a photo from stiff to stunning. Paired with a winning pose, a genuine expression brings life to your shots and shows off your personality. These simple tips will help you improve your phone photography as well as all kinds of photo shoots.

9. Tilt your chin slightly downward

A small downward chin tilt can work wonders for defining your jawline and avoiding that awkward "up-the-nose" angle. It’s the perfect move to give your face a sharp structure and make your photo look more polished. Imagine you’re looking at something just below eye level.

10. Squint slightly to create authentic smiles

Want a smile that feels real and not staged? Try the "squinch." It's a tiny squint, just enough to make your eyes look more engaged and your smile come to life.

Expert advice: Don’t overdo it. Practice in front of a mirror until it feels natural. When done right, it’ll add a confident, relaxed vibe to your smile.

11. Laugh genuinely just before the shot

It’s said that laughter is the best medicine, and it can also be the best posing tip. If you’re feeling awkward or stressed, try laughing out loud for real—it’ll instantly make you look more natural and relaxed in your photos. Plus, it’s a great way to photograph your kids successfully, capturing their genuine expressions and joy.

Expert advice: Try thinking of something funny, a favorite comedy show, or someone you love who always makes you laugh.

12. Relax your body and face

Just chill out! If you're tense, it will show in the photo and make you look less than your best. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and think happy thoughts as you get in front of the camera. Relax your face, take a deep breath and let go of any tension. Chances are, the photo shoot isn’t that serious anyway!

13. Bring your ears forward to avoid a double chin

If you're worried about looking like you have a double chin in your photos, try bringing your ears forward just slightly. It may feel a little weird, but it will help elongate your neck and avoid any unwanted chin scrunching.

14. Put your tongue behind your teeth

When you smile, put your tongue gently behind your teeth. This simple trick helps with a smoother, more natural-looking smile.

Body angle techniques

How you angle your body can fully change the vibe of your photo. A few small adjustments in your posture can accentuate your best features and create a flattering, dynamic look.

15. Turn 45 degrees from the camera

Turn your body slightly to the side instead of facing the camera straight on. This TikTok-approved tip paired with angling your hips away from the camera adds some flattering curves and gives the illusion of a smaller waist. Don’t overdo it—90 degrees is too much. Pro photographers agree that a roughly 45-degree turn is the sweet spot to achieve that perfect angle.

16. Check your posture

Proper posture is important for taking a beautiful photo. Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, and tuck your chin in slightly. Imagine there’s a string gently pulling you up from the top of your head. This will help you look taller, sleeker, and more confident.

17. Lower your shoulders and elongate your neck

High, tense shoulders are not a good look. This pose tends to make people look stressed. Instead, deliberately lower your shoulders to boost your posture and elongate your neck. It’s an easy way to make any outfit look more polished and create flattering lines in your photos.

18. Lean slightly forward from the waist

Want to add more engagement to your portrait? Leaning slightly forward from the waist brings you closer to the camera, making the shot feel more dynamic. This trick also works like a charm for group photos, helping create depth and keeping everyone in the frame looking connected.

Expert advice: Just a tiny lean is all you need. Think of it like you’re leaning in to hear a juicy secret.

Group photo strategies

Getting a great group photo doesn’t have to be a struggle. For milestone occasions or just a fun get-together, the right group posing can turn a simple shot into something special.

19. Stagger heights and create triangles

Ditching the straight line and creating height variety is the secret to a more dynamic group photo. When people are positioned at different levels, the shot instantly feels more interesting, adding depth and visual appeal. This way, no one gets hidden in the back row.

Expert advice: Arrange your group in a triangle shape, with the tallest people in the middle and shortest at the outer sides. This arrangement creates a sense of balance and keeps the focus on everyone equally.

20. Connect through natural touchpoints

Want to make your group photos feel more authentic? Subtle touches, like a hand on a shoulder or a light touch of elbows, can create a sense of connection without looking forced. It’s a simple way to show relationships and keep the photo feeling warm and genuine.

Expert advice: Use touchpoints sparingly. A gentle hand on the back or a linked arm creates intimacy and avoids that awkward “too much space” feeling.

21. Alternate standing and sitting positions

Group photo poses shouldn’t be stiff or boring, so don’t line everyone up in a perfect row. Mix up standing and sitting positions to create layers and add some dimension to the shot.

Photogenic selfie posing tips

Selfies let you capture the perfect moment or look all by yourself, and the right pose can take them to the next level. With a few simple tricks, you can enhance your angles, lighting, and expression to make every selfie a winner.

22. Hold the camera slightly above eye level

Hold the camera just slightly above eye level to make your selfies look gorgeous. This subtle angle lifts your face, defines your jawline, and eliminates the dreaded double chin. You’ll avoid looking like you’re trying too hard while still getting a great shot.

23. Fully extend your arm

Some selfies are too close for comfort and end up looking distorted. To avoid this, extend your arm fully and shoot from a better perspective. This also works wonders for group selfies, ensuring everyone fits in the frame.

Expert advice: Consider using a selfie stick to extend beyond your arm’s reach.

24. Turn your head slightly to find your best angle

Everyone has a side they love, so don’t be shy about figuring out yours. Turn your head slightly and keep snapping until you find it! A small adjustment in the angle can give you a natural, flattering look that avoids looking too stiff. Spend a little time in front of a mirror to figure out which side you feel the most confident with.

Posing tips for men

Not all posing tips are equally effective for men and women. The right moves, stance, and body positioning can help men stand tall and appear confident and effortlessly stylish.

25. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and feet angled just slightly out creates a grounded, confident appearance. A stance this simple gives your body stability and projects a powerful vibe, whether you're in a formal portrait or a casual shot.

Expert advice: Shift your weight onto one leg for a relaxed vibe, or keep both feet grounded for a more formal appearance.

26. Position shoulders back and down

Stand tall by rolling your shoulders back and down. Not only does this help you look more confident, but it also enhances your natural frame, giving you a stronger, more polished appearance. It’s a simple trick to avoid the "slouched" look and make sure you stand out in photos.

Expert advice: Imagine you’re trying to lift your chest up, as if there’s a string pulling you from the top. This little move opens up your body, making you look more poised and relaxed.

27. Pay attention to your head tilt

According to this expert portrait photographer, when one shoulder is higher than the other, tilting the head slightly toward the higher-up shoulder looks more feminine, whereas tilting it toward the lower shoulder looks more masculine. Try it for yourself!

28. Create asymmetry with arm positions

Symmetry can be nice, but boring. Asymmetry is where the magic happens. To keep your photos interesting, mix up your arm positions—one arm bent, the other relaxed or in your pocket. One hand at your belt level, and the other lightly touching your lapel or collar. This asymmetry adds a natural, casual feel that makes your pose look effortless.

29. Find something to lean on

Leaning on an object can help you look more relaxed and natural in your photos. You could lean on a table, chair, tree, or even another person. Just be careful not to lean too far, or you'll look like you're about to fall over.

Posing tips for women

The right pose can highlight a woman’s natural beauty and tell a memorable story with every shot. These simple tips will help you feel confident and look stunning in every photo.

30. Create an S-curve with your body

The S-curve is a go-to pose for a reason. Shifting your weight to one leg and naturally curving your body creates a flattering silhouette that adds elegance and shape. Gently push your hip out and shift your shoulders in the opposite direction. The curve will highlight your natural shape.

31. Point toes slightly inward for a casual look

Pointing your toes ever-so-slightly inward is a simple trick to give your pose a relaxed, laid-back vibe. It’s like adding a little extra ease to your stance, making you look approachable and effortless. Plus, it softens your whole body language.

Expert advice: Don’t overdo it or you risk looking like you need to use the bathroom!

32. Get up close and personal with the camera

Getting close to the camera can help you fill the frame and avoid unwanted background distractions. If you're taking a selfie, try holding the camera closer to your face.

Expert advice: Getting closer to the camera keeps the focus on you. Simplify the background to avoid distractions and make the shot all about your beautiful features.

33. Go for a candid pose

Candid poses are always flattering because they look natural and effortless. To get a great candid photo, have someone take it while you're doing something else, like talking on the phone, reading a book, dancing, jumping around, or walking down the street.

Expert advice: To nail a candid shot, pretend you're not posing at all. Focus on something else, like laughing or interacting with your surroundings, and let the camera capture the moment naturally.

Master posing for pictures and capture unforgettable moments

The right pose can elevate your photos, making them perfect for photo books, canvas prints, and more. Make every shot count, and let Mixbook help you turn those moments into cherished memories.