Make Friends with the Camera (Not Frenemies)
Ever taken a selfie and thought, “Wow, I didn’t know my forehead was auditioning for a leading role”? Or maybe you’ve seen a photo where your arms look suspiciously Hulk-like while your head is… oddly tiny? That’s not you—it’s just the camera playing tricks.
Good news: Once you understand how this works, you can always position yourself for a flattering shot—no filters required.
The Golden Rule of Photos: Whatever’s Closest to the Camera Looks Biggest
Cameras (especially phone cameras) have this little habit of exaggerating anything that gets too close to them. That’s why selfies taken from a low angle can give you a surprise double chin and why sticking your hand toward the camera makes it look five times its actual size.
And don’t even get me started on wide-angle lenses—they’re great for landscapes but not for faces unless you want to look like you’re starring in a funhouse mirror exhibit.
How to Use This to Your Advantage
Now that you know how perspective works, here’s how to make it work for you instead of against you:
Back it up: Instead of holding your phone super close, extend your arm or, even better, use a tripod or have a friend take the shot from farther away.
Zoom in, don’t move in: If you’re using a phone, stand back and zoom in a little. This mimics the effect of a professional long lens, keeping proportions natural.
Mind your angles: Instead of leading with your forehead or chin, keep your weight balanced and shift your body slightly to the side for a more flattering shape.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Or a Few ‘OMG That’s So Much Better’ Moments)
Here’s an example of how simply adjusting your distance, angle, and pose can make a world of difference:
My client needed the same type of images as her old headshots, but we gave them a major update. the biggest difference not using a wide-angle lens (could just zoom with a cell phone) and tilting closer to the camera.
On the left, we have a wider-angle shot taken up close, which distorts features slightly. On the right, we have the same person, but taken with a longer lens (or zoomed in from a distance). See how much more natural the second one looks? But it probably doesn’t “feel” natural. The camera plays tricks on us.
Watch It in Action!
If you’re more of a see-it-to-believe-it type, check out these quick videos where I demonstrate this trick in action:
@krosephoto Posing for photos. Hinge at the hip #phototips #posing ♬ original sound – krosephotos
@krosephoto A wide angle lens does us no favors in photos. Here are some tweaks to help you get better photos. #greenscreen #phototips #posing #headshotphoto ♬ original sound – krosephotos
Final Thoughts: No More Camera Betrayals
The camera doesn’t have to be the enemy—once you know how to position yourself, you’re in control. So, next time you take a photo, remember: step back, zoom in, and let your best angles shine.
Try it out, and if you nail a killer shot, tag me—I’d love to see! And if you want more simple tips like this, come hang out with me on TikTok for more posing hacks and behind-the-scenes fun.
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