Striking A Pose: The Do’s And Don’ts To Always Be Camera Ready

By Larissa C

If we had to guess, we would say that the only time taking pictures wasn’t common was when the first cameras were created. Nowadays, it’s uncommon not to take pictures, especially when basically every single technological device has a camera now. While it is great to take photographs — whether it’s for showing off or to save your favorite moments in your camera roll — the tricky part of this process is that it isn’t always easy to take good pictures. You have to be mindful of the lighting, angle, pose, outfit, and lots of other things! Luckily, many photography experts offer their help on Instagram, and one of them is Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki. Bonnie shares lots of tips that will make your photos look as if a professional photographer took them. Enjoy these 45 photography tips to make you look great in your photos!

Look stylish with your boo

Are you going on vacation with your significant other? If you guys are looking for ideas on how to pose for couple pics, here’s a great tip. Instead of taking the usual photo where you’re standing side by side with your lover, you can look stylish like this…

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Sit down on the nearest bench, get your boyfriend or girlfriend to stand beside you, and tell them to look in the other direction. After that, you just have to make a serious face (they make you look chic) and look cool. 

Sit straight to look fancy

In case you are planning on wearing a fashionable outfit that makes you look fancy, your pictures will have to match the outfit. You can’t wear chic clothes and take photos that make you look clumsy. We have a tip for you.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Taking pictures while sitting down can be quite tricky. If you slouch, you won’t look as good in your pictures. So, straighten your back and bring your knees together while slightly bending the nearest leg to the camera. And never look directly at the camera — that’s the key to looking fancy!

Make casual clothes work for you

Obviously, none of us are going to wear fancy clothes all the time. In case you are going out for a jog, and you want to take a picture, there is a way to pull off the simple athletic fit. Check it out!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you want to make jogging look cool, look for the nearest bridge and stand against the guard rail (it helps if the railing looks nice, just like the one in the picture). Put your feet up against the railing and look away from the camera. You’ll make all your friends wish they looked as good as you do when going for a jog!

Side profiles are chic

Many people may struggle with their side profiles, but the truth is, if you manage to take a good picture of your side profile, that picture will look amazing. Nothing compares to posing like this — it’s no wonder that photographers are constantly snapping photos of models’ side profiles.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you just got your hair done and you want to show it off to the world, don’t just take a selfie or photo of yourself staring straight at the camera. Turn to your side, look off to the horizon, put an arm across your stomach while bringing the other hand to the side of your face, and turn your top into an off-shoulder top. Now, you can show off your hair and look fabulous!

Lighting is key

Your pose will determine how good your pictures look, but so will the lighting. You can’t expect to get a nice picture of yourself in a place with poor lighting. Luckily, you can fix that issue with photo editing apps.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

When you want to take a picture outside, make sure to tweak the settings on your phone’s camera app. Another tip to make these kinds of images look nice is to always snap the photo when you’re walking forward — it makes your legs look nicer!

Make mirror selfies work for you

Mirror selfies are iconic, and most of us have taken these selfies before. If you haven’t tried to post a mirror selfie, are you even using social media correctly? The thing with these selfies is that they may not always compliment your figure.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

When you take a mirror selfie, one arm will be supporting the camera, and many people don’t know what to do about their other arm. According to Bonnie, instead of letting it hang by your side, you can put your hand on your waist and slightly turn your body to the side.

Use glass panels in your favor

Are you staying in a cute hotel room and want to take photos of yourself in it? In case there is a glass panel in your room, you can use it as a prop for your glamorous photos. Want to know how? It’s quite simple, as you’ll see below.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Bonnie says that instead of taking regular photos in your room, you can stand behind the glass panel (or glass door or glass window) while your photographer stands on the other side of the glass. This way, the reflection will make you look chic and give your photo a professional feel.

The angle of the camera will change your photo completely!

When you are taking pictures, you have to keep a few things in mind if you want your photos to come out looking like you were in a professional photoshoot. One of these things is the angle of the camera. 

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

You don’t want the camera to take a picture of you from a higher angle. If the camera is capturing you from top to bottom, you will look way shorter. Now, if the camera is photographing you from bottom to top, you’ll look taller, and your legs will look amazing!

Crouching pictures make you look powerful

If you want to make your Instagram feed look powerful and to die for, you have to not only try to maintain the same aesthetic for your pictures, but you should try to take photos that make you look powerful.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The first thing you have to do is stop smiling. We know that smiling is all sorts of amazing, but smiles don’t make you look powerful. It makes you look cute. Instead, crouch (and keep your back straight) like Bonnie does and put on your best RBF (Resting B**ch Face)!

Don’t take pictures standing straight

One of the biggest mistakes people make when taking pictures is standing straight and locking their hands in front of their bodies. When you do that, you throw away any chances of showing off the curves of your body!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, you can see what we are talking about. That pose is not doing any good to Bonnie’s body, but she has the perfect solution for that. Put one hand up the wall and the other one in your front pocket, and then put one leg in front of the other. This way, you’ll look thinner and like an Instagram model!

More tips for posing at the beach!

When you go on vacation at the beach, you certainly want to take pictures to share your happy moments with your friends and Instagram followers. In case you want to make your beach vacation pictures look amazing, here’s another tip for you!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of sitting on the sand, you can stand on your knees and hold onto the sides of your swimsuit. When you do a pose like the one in the picture on the left, it looks like you have a couple of extra pounds. Bonnie says that when you do the second pose, you look thinner and like a catalog model!

Always cross your legs!

Lots of mothers are constantly reminding their daughters to cross their legs. According to them, women should cross their legs whenever they sit down — but we know that you don’t really have to follow that advice. However, you can cross your legs when taking pictures!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you don’t want to “sit like a lady,” you can “stand like a lady” instead! All jokes aside, when you cross your legs for pictures, it makes your legs look longer, and it also helps your cute outfit stand out.

Remember the foot pop!

When taking pictures, you can choose how you want to come across to the viewer. Do you want people to think you’re cute, or do you want them to look at you and see a girl boss? Each pose will determine how you look.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

We know that the protocol was not to smile in pictures — but you can ignore that rule of thumb and smile if you want to look cute. Not everyone wants to look serious in their photographs, so you can plaster a big smile on your face, open your arms, and don’t forget the foot pop!

Levels are perfect for pictures with your love!

When you want to take a picture with your significant other, you have many options. You guys can look goofy, cute, sexy, or just plainly in love with one another. The only thing you need to know is how to pose so that your pictures together will look amazing!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of going with the basic “standing beside each other and smiling to the camera” pose, you can always try levels. Levels are pretty simple: one of you has to sit down, and the other one will remain standing. This way, you guys make the picture prettier and more dynamic.

Fun snowy time!

Taking pictures during summertime is a breeze (no pun intended), but taking pictures in the winter can be quite a tricky task. First of all, you’ll be wearing way too many layers, plus you’ll have to act like the brutally cold weather is not bothering you at all.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of wrapping yourself in winter clothes and making yourself look like a snowman, you can make your pictures fun. Stand on your side (rather than facing the camera) and ask your personal photographer to snap your photos as soon as you move your scarf. The second picture looks way better than the first.

Match your outfit with the surroundings

While your pose will determine how you look in your pictures, your outfit will also be a game-changer. What is the point of making your best pose to date and looking fierce when your outfit doesn’t match the background at all?

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the picture above, Bonnie is giving us two essential tips. One is that you should never leave your arms by your side like that — you should never forget to put your hands on your waist or inside the front pockets of your jeans or jacket. The second tip is if you match your outfit with the background, you’re going to look even better!

Take the perfect beach pic!

For those of us who don’t live near the ocean, it is not often that we get to visit a sunny, sandy beach. We want to make the most of it when we do, and we also want to capture this moment.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In case you’re looking forward to taking the prettiest photos at the beach, here’s a tip. Instead of crossing your legs Indian style and staring at the camera, look to the horizon, straighten your back, and cross your legs at the knees as you see in the bottom picture. This way, you’ll get to look chic in your beach photos!

Keep the lighting in front of you

In one of the pictures we showed you earlier, we mentioned the importance of lighting. If you can’t get natural lighting, you can always use a ring light or other props to get the perfect selfie. But, if you do have the privilege of natural lighting, you need to make the most of it.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

First reminder: never turn your back to the light. You get the opposite of the desired effect when you do that, and your pictures turn out dark and hard to edit. Always face the natural lighting when taking a selfie — it will make your skin glow. Also, don’t forget to keep your chin up when taking selfies!

Get comfortable with your surroundings

There is nothing worse than not feeling comfortable when you are away from home or on vacation. Sometimes, we just can’t enjoy ourselves for some reason, and this uneasy feeling is obvious even through the lens of a camera.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of taking photos while you still haven’t become acquainted with your new surroundings, wait until you are all settled and feeling comfy. Only then should you take pictures that will do justice to you and your companion — and don’t be scared to make the most of the props around you, like couches, tables, and benches!

If you must squat, do it in style

There are different ways in which you can pose for your pictures. By now, you know that very well. Sometimes, a particular pose may not suit you all that well. But the good news is that all it takes are a few tips on how to pose, and you’ll be good to go!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

For instance, if you want to take a picture while you are squatting, you certainly don’t want to look goofy, which is quite common with squatting pictures. All it takes is a serious face and an effortlessly cool pose, and you’ll be the most confident girl on Instagram!

One step forward…one step back!

We have all heard that popular idiom that goes, “one step forward, two steps back.” Not only have we heard it — but sometimes we actually live it. Luckily, this next posing tip has nothing to do with the actual meaning of that idiom.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

What we mean to say is that instead of standing flat, you can easily make your pictures look more lively and dynamic. Basically, what you have to do is take one step forward and one step back. Pretty simple, right?

Make the most of your clothes!

At this point, you have memorized that good photos require the perfect pose and great clothes. You don’t even have to put on a bunch of fancy clothes and accessories to find the perfect outfit. You just have to know how to make the most of it.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

For instance, the dress that Bonnie is wearing may look like it’s just a simple dress in that first picture. But when she removes the fabric and lets the slit of her dress take over, it looks like she is ready to go to a fancy party!

Show off your curves

Not everyone is comfortable with showing their curves, and that is just fine. The number one tip for taking the perfect pictures is to not do anything that will make you uncomfortable because it will show right through your photos.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The good news is that there are subtle ways to show your curves and still feel comfy about it. Put on a nice blazer, keep your hand on your waist (inside the blazer) and lift your chin. You will look chic and comfortable in your own body!

It’s possible to take great pictures at home!

It is kind of an understatement to say that we don’t take pictures only when we are out on vacation. The truth is that we snap most of our photos when we are at home or hanging out in the city that we live in.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

But who said that taking pictures at home can’t be glamorous? If your shower has a glass door, you can use it to make your homemade pictures look professional. Put on some smoky makeup, keep your hair wet, and sprinkle some water on the glass. The result will look similar to what you can see in the picture above.

Don’t settle for conventional poses

If you want to take memorable photos, you can’t settle for conventional poses. Plain and simple. Don’t just smile at the camera or stand with your hands in front of you; push the limits of photography and create your own poses!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, Bonnie looks just like every other Instagram girl. Now, if you look at the image on the right, you’ll see that she looks incredibly relaxed, like she’s having the time of her life. It’s up to you to decide the look you want to go for!

Tight-fitting coats are perfect to make you look stylish

Sometimes, when you take pictures while wearing coats, the pictures may not come out as you expected them to. Some coats just don’t do our bodies justice and take away all of our curves. But, it’s an entirely different story if you buy a tight-fitting one.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Let’s draw a quick comparison of the two pictures above. In the first one, the open coat is not being nice to Bonnie’s body — you can’t even see the curve of her waist! Now, when she wrapped the coat tightly against her body, you can see how it helps her look thinner and more stylish.

Open poses are always good

Even though photographs don’t move, we can add dynamicity to them with just a few tricks. By now, you should know that leaving your arms hanging by your side won’t do you and your photos any good — but that’s easily avoidable.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of not doing anything with your arms, put your hands on your waist. This way, you’ll get to show the feminine curve of your waist. Also, keep in mind to lift your chin and maybe raise an eyebrow — now, you’re ready to rock your Instagram feed!

The angle is a deal-breaker

This is not the first time that we have talked about angles. The camera angle when you take the picture is a game-changer, but so is the angle of your body. You may be wearing the perfect outfit and set up the camera in the best position possible — but none of that will matter if you don’t pose at the correct angle!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of standing flat while facing the camera, you can turn your body to the side and put a hand on your waist. When you pose like Bonnie in the picture on the left, viewers will barely see your curves. Now, when you pose like in the second picture, you look confident, and we’ll be able to see your body more clearly.

Confidence is everything

Let’s say that you don’t feel comfortable with over-the-top poses or with certain outfits. That is entirely okay. Luckily for you, sometimes a simple pose will do the trick and make up for the perfect photo to post on social media. You just need one thing.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The one thing to have when taking pictures is confidence. Forget the elegant pose, makeup, and outfit. As long as you have confidence, your photos will look great. See the difference between the pictures above? In one, Bonnie is posing, but we can see she looks hesitant. There’s a drastic change in the other picture, and it’s all because she looks confident!

Another way of taking mirror selfies

Earlier in this article, we showed you how to take the perfect mirror selfie. Well, that method was great for a wall mirror that only reflected the upper part of your body. However, there’s another way to take a mirror selfie when you have a full-length mirror.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you want to take a conceptual photo while sitting on the couch (or on the bed), don’t go for the usual “looking at your reflection from the screen of your phone” pose. Instead, look to the side, make a cute face, and snap the shot!

Innovate the pictures with your love

Here goes one more tip on how to take pictures with your love. While most people tend to settle for the same old poses, you and your significant other can raise the bar when it comes to couple’s pictures. 

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

As always, don’t just stand there looking at the camera. Sometimes, all it takes is a slight movement, and you will have the most adorable pictures ever. You can see the difference between the two pictures above and how adding movement to the photo changes the whole vibe.

Sometimes, smiling is not the best option

Look, we get it: smiling in photos is a great way of letting people know that you are a nice person. But, do you always want to look like a nice girl in your pictures? Looking serious and chic in photos is the new trend, so why not give it a try?

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of smiling in pictures, it may be a good thing to change your usual pose and go for something a bit bolder. Put your hands on your waist (this way you can show off your curves), avoid looking at the camera, and put on your best girl boss face!

Lighting and chin are the keywords here

It is not unusual to meet people who genuinely believe that taking pictures with their back to the light is ideal. As we mentioned before, that is not the case at all. When taking selfies in a place with good lighting (right by a window, for instance), always face the light.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The difference between these two pictures is more than obvious. In the first one, the lighting is awful, and it doesn’t favor Bonnie’s features. All it takes is a 180-degree turn of her body, and even her hair looks prettier!

If you must, make toilet photos pretty

We all have peculiar habits and ideas, so let’s go into this next picture without any judgment. Some people like taking pictures standing by a window or next to a beautiful plant. And some people like to take pictures in their bathrooms.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In some places, the bathroom can be one of the fanciest rooms in a house, so it’s no wonder that some people like taking pictures there. While this is not that usual, you can make your toilet pictures look fancy. Just keep your back straight and put on your best RBF face!

A tip on taking candid photos in the winter

If we’re talking about Instagram trends, then we must certainly talk about candid photos. We have already shown you an example of these types of photos and how you can make them work for you. Here is another example.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If we didn’t sell you on the idea of candid photos, you should give it another thought. You don’t have to look weird in them simply because you don’t have to actually be spontaneous in them. There’s no shame in posing in a way that will make it look like a candid picture!

Put on a cute outfit and make the most of your house!

If you haven’t been traveling in a while and you are no longer feeling like posting old pictures from that trip you made ages ago, here’s an idea. Put on a cute outfit and make the most of your house!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

This tip works incredibly well when there is a nice view from your balcony (or when you have a spectacular backyard to show off). You don’t even have to wear anything fancy. Maybe just throw on a hat and a pair of shades and make a few conceptual poses for your impromptu photoshoot, and you’re good to go!

Don’t be afraid to go all out!

It’s not unusual to feel shy when taking pictures. When we see digital influencers posting photos on social media, we get that feeling of, “I’d love to try posing like that, but I don’t think I could pull that off.”

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

While this is not a posing tip, it is a valuable tip that will help you when you want to take pictures when you feel like you won’t look good. First of all, you are beautiful, and your photos look great. Don’t hide behind a thick jacket or mug — go all out and take the prettiest pictures you can think of!

Keep a leg near the camera

In case you forgot, here is an important reminder that will make all your full-body pictures look even better. If you want to show off an outfit, make sure to always keep one of your legs near the camera, for it will add angles to your photo.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

When you add angles, your photograph becomes prettier. All it takes is one leg in front of the other, and you’ll be showing off your curves. Also, take notice of how Bonnie is slightly raising her chin to add more power to her picture!

The perfect floor picture

How often do you see people sitting on the floor for their pictures? Most influences would be caught dead before sitting on the actual floor just to pose for images to post on their feed. If you want to show your followers you are the real deal, this next tip is for you.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Don’t be afraid to sit on the floor (especially when you are in your own house) to take pictures. Cross your legs like Bonnie is doing in the second picture, put on your best “powerful girl” face, and impress your followers with your photography skills!

Give priority to upper body pictures!

Taking full-body pictures is one of the biggest mistakes people make when taking photos. While there is nothing wrong with this type of photo (that is, as long as you know how to pose), maybe you should consider prioritizing upper body pictures.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you are not sure about skipping the full-body pictures, ask your photographer to take a few of those and then to take more pictures — but, this time, ask them to only capture you from your hips up. Then compare the pictures and reach a conclusion by yourself. We can already tell you the second ones are going to look way better!

Let your waist be free

Deep down, it’s kind of hard for some of us to accept our bodies just the way they are. Sure, society is changing, and people are being more vocal about self-acceptance which is great. But, if you want to look even prettier in your photos, here’s a tip.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

If you are at the beach or at a resort, and you want to take a nice picture for your Instagram, remember not to slouch. When you do that, you lose any chances of letting the world see your defined waist. If you keep your back straight for the photo, you’ll show off your curves!

Keep Your Chin up!

Bonnie Rodríguez has over 800,000 followers on Instagram, and there’s one thing she noticed about how her followers take pictures. Instead of showing off their confidence, the ladies that follow Bonnie tend to give off a shy vibe, and she has a tip for that.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of looking to the floor or lowering your eyes, one of the best ways to look confident in your Instagram posts is to lift your chin. It’s just one step, but it’s more than enough to make you pose like a confident and self-assured model.

Adding angles to the picture

Most people tend to pose for pictures in a very basic manner. Their arms are usually in the same position, and if you put these people in a box, they’d fit perfectly with the way they’re posing with a straight posture.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Bonnie says that one of the best things you can do to add more life to your pictures is to add angles to your pose. Change where your arms and legs are positioned; maybe turn a little bit to the side. That’s all it takes to make your pictures look better.

A thumb on the belt loop never fails

Do you tend to get shy in front of the camera? There’s no need to feel bad if that’s the case. Most people feel insecure when taking pictures, but you can easily change that with just one simple thing. Check out Bonnie’s side-by-side pictures:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Hooking your thumb on the belt loop of your pants is the perfect way to add more energy to your pictures. As you can see in the picture, Bonnie manages to radiate shy yet lively energy in the image on the right, and that’s exactly what you want to go for.

Don’t slouch!

If you want to look confident in your photos, changing this simple thing about yourself will help a great deal. The easiest way to look like a confident woman is to maintain good posture. And yes, it really is that simple. Check out Bonnie’s example:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, she is slouching, and that kind of posture doesn’t help the way she looks at all. As you can see, she simply changes her posture and the position of her hands, and Bonnie already looks like a different person in the second picture.

Make the most of the lighting.

The way that you pose for pictures will certainly determine how good you look in those photos. However, the pose you make is not the only factor that will affect the final results of your homemade photoshoot. Lighting is also key.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The very first thing that Bonnie suggests is that you add angles to your pictures. Move your arms around and maybe take a short step. Then, just figure out what’s the best way to capture the room’s lighting. Perhaps ask someone to use their phone’s flashlight to help!

Keep the outfit in mind.

In addition to the angle of your photo and the lighting, Bonnie has another tip to add more spiciness to your Instagram photos. Always dedicate some time to plan your outfit prior to taking the pictures. Check out these back-to-back photoshoots:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, Bonnie is recreating a pose that is all too common. Now that you’re following these amazing tips, you need to be bold and try different poses, like in the second picture. And always remember to coordinate your outfit so it matches the theme of the photo!

Crouching is always a yay!

Before you take your next picture, you have to decide the kind of energy you want to give off. Do you want people to see you as a cute woman, or do you want them to see you as someone fierce? There’s no right or wrong answer here — you can choose anything!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In this particular case, Bonnie is giving a posing tip for those who want to show off their fierce side. Crouching on the floor and setting the camera at a lower angle always does the trick when it comes to taking pictures that will make you look confident.

Hands to the side.

For most of us, it is kind of hard to decide what to do with our hands when posing for pictures. If you’re anything like us, you usually go for that basic pose where you rest your hands against the front of your body and hold them together, like Bonnie is doing in the first picture:

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

When you pose like that, you basically hide your beautiful figure from the world, and none of your curves will be seen. Now, if you put your hands on your waist and flash the camera with a big smile, the difference is like night and day!

Pose like an influencer.

If you want to give off confident energy, don’t hold back on your poses for pictures. Do you know those influencers that you follow on Instagram? They have no fear of embracing their fierce side for photos, and it’s not that hard to follow their lead.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Being bold in front of the camera may not come naturally to you, nor will it happen overnight. Bonnie’s tip is that you practice different poses and compare the pictures to see what you can do to improve the quality of your photos. Sometimes, the simplest things (like changing the angle of the camera) make the biggest difference.

Shake off the fear and strike a pose.

When we go out in public, we want to take pictures in front of beautiful landscapes or other gorgeous places. However, if there are people around, we may feel shy and end up holding back on our poses so as to not “embarrass” ourselves.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

For Bonnie, there is no such thing as being embarrassed about taking pictures in public. Don’t be scared to strike a pose and make different faces for your Instagram photos. Also, taking photos in cars is not a cliché anymore — even Kim Kardashian is doing it now!

Put different tips into action.

There are many factors to consider when you’re posing for pictures. You don’t have to follow all of the tips simultaneously, but incorporating just a few of them at a time is enough to change the final results of your photos.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In this picture, Bonnie mixed a few of her tips to improve her image. For this photo, she made sure to find the best lighting and angle, as well as to pick an outfit that matches the weather and the season. Then, she made a simple pose, and voilà — she looks like a professional model here.

Know how to add movement.

If there is one thing that makes people’s pictures look underwhelming, that thing has got to be the lack of movement. Instead of posing like a marble statue, you have to try and add movement to your next photos. Check it out:

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

A pro tip from Bonnie: record videos instead of taking pictures. When you record a video of yourself making a pose, you can screenshot the video and capture the best moments. For instance, try moving your bag or taking a step forward in the video. The final result will look as amazing as the picture on the right.

Lower angles are the key to success.

Even if you’re not a professional photographer, you probably already know that angle is everything in photography. Moving the camera a little bit can change the way you look in photos, and this simple tip will help you look like a model.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of looking up at the camera, you want to look down on it. Ask your photographer to crouch and capture you from a lower angle. Also, stretching your arms over your head will help elongate your figure and make you lose a couple of pounds for the pic.

Dress up, even if you’re at home.

Even if you’re not traveling or participating in an event, you can still take pictures. In case you want to keep your Instagram feed updated, but you’re spending a lot of time at home, this tip is ideal for you.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Choose a location in your house that you think will make for a nice background. Then, choose an outfit that complements your body type. Keep in mind that it’s important to match the color of the outfit with the background. Once you do that, just set a camera timer on your phone!

Keep your arms away from your mid-section.

As we said before, lots of people tend to subconsciously hide their figures when taking pictures. Perhaps it’s just being unsure where to place your hands and arms. In this case, Bonnie’s valuable tip is that you keep your arms away from your mid-section.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, we can barely see Bonnie’s fabulous outfit or her beautiful body. That’s because she’s hiding everything behind her arms. The second she opens her arms and keeps them away from her mid-section, we can see everything — and the photo looks completely different.

Posing with your SO doesn’t take a lot.

If you have a significant other, you probably want to post pictures with them. It’s not that you want to make people feel bad for being single; you just want to share your happiness, right? In case you don’t know how to pose for pictures with your man (or woman), here’s a tip:

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

There are many ways to pose with someone else, but the best pictures are arguably the ones that make both of you look powerful. Hold each other close and turn slightly away from the camera. Make a confident face — and don’t forget to show off that ring on your finger!

Copying influencer’s poses.

If you love Instagram, you probably love following a bunch of celebrities and influencers. Seeing their photos makes us want to create photos that are just as nice, and the good news is that it’s not that hard to do that.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In this picture, Bonnie is recreating a pose that was made popular by Khloé Kardashian. All you have to do is sit on your bed, spread your legs and support your arm against your thigh, making a sort of triangle. Then, touch your face gently and stare straight into the camera.

Hiding that double chin.

Bonnie usually posts tips to help chubby women show off their best outfits and poses in pictures. This next tip of hers is meant for women who want to take selfies but don’t quite know what to do about their double chin.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

There are many ways to hide a double chin when taking a selfie. First, you can wrap a nice scarf around your neck. In addition to picking a neck accessory, you can also lift your chin slightly and push the camera further away from your face.

Choosing the perfect winter outfit.

Winter is a challenge for most people, but it’s especially challenging for chubby women. We all know how some winter coats can fluff up our outline a bit. If you want to avoid that, Bonnie’s tip is that you choose the perfect outfits.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Some winter jackets are made specifically to help show off a woman’s curves, and those are the jackets you want to purchase. The blue jacket that Bonnie is wearing hides her curves, but the black one allows her to tighten it around her waist, thus defining her beautiful curves.

Show people your side profile.

If you don’t want to settle for the classic “staring at the camera” pose, you’re going to like this next tip. When you stand with your body turned towards the camera, your photos may come out unflattering to your figure.

Source: Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Now, if you turn to the side, you automatically make your figure look thinner, especially if you’re standing in front of a multi-colored wall like Bonnie is. Hold your breath for a few seconds, and maybe push back your butt just a little bit. These three simple steps will completely change the results of your photoshoot!

Looking less cheesy in pictures.

Look, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being cheesy. And we really mean that. You can take pictures in any way you want, and if you want to make cheesy poses, that’s fine. But if you want to try something different, here’s a tip for you:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Summer is just around the corner, and you’re probably thinking of all the pictures you’re going to take in your bathing suit. If you want to look sexy, Bonnie has a tip for you. Turn slightly away from the camera, put your hand on your waist, and arch your back a little.

Don’t be afraid to look at the camera.

For lots of women, taking pictures is a challenge. Some of us don’t feel comfortable in front of a camera, and we feel downright insecure. For Bonnie, the very first thing you have to do prior to taking pictures is to love yourself!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Be confident, and don’t be afraid to look at the camera. You can rock any look, even the schoolgirl look. Turn away from the camera, add movement to your legs, and stare right into the lens. You’ll see just how beautiful you are!

Make the most of the background.

If you’re traveling anywhere, you know that you will visit beautiful places. And these places are ideal for taking the perfect pictures for your Instagram. If you come across some open scenery and you want to take pictures there, here’s a tip.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Show off the strong woman that you are by posing like a supermodel. Bonnie’s tip is to face away from the camera, bend your leg and maybe raise your dress slightly to show some skin. It’s so simple to make yourself look like a confident top model.

Smiling is okay!

At this point, you’ve probably noticed how Bonnie is usually making serious faces when posing for pictures. That’s because her goal is to teach you how to show off your confident side. But don’t worry — there’s nothing wrong with smiling.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In fact, don’t be afraid to show off your pearly whites! While it’s really empowering to take sexy and confident photos, it’s also really nice to take goofy or cheesy photos. According to Bonnie, the photo on the right is ideal for a professional shot (for your website or resume, maybe).

Share these tips with your friends!

All of Bonnie’s tips are helpful, and once you finish reading this article, you’re probably going to start taking the most incredible pictures ever. And do you know what’s better than learning how to pose for pictures? It’s sharing those tips with friends!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

You can help your friends take amazing pictures, too. Invite them over for a photoshoot and share what you’ve learned. Instead of settling for the classic “side by side” pic with your bestie, add more life to the picture. Sit on the floor, smile for the camera, and take the best photos together!

The sun is a great source of light, but not always.

We’re talking so much about lighting that you’re probably thinking of going out to the backyard just to take a few pictures in the sun. While natural lighting is a magical thing, the sun is not always your friend for photographs.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

See how Bonnie is squinting her eyes in the first picture? While the lighting in that photo is something out of this world, squinting your eyes for pictures is not that helpful. Once Bonnie moved her chair to a shady area, she may have lost the perfect lighting, but the picture looks much better.

A morning pic? No problem.

There is absolutely no shame in taking pictures at home. If you want to take pictures in your bedroom, go ahead. Just don’t forget to clean the mirror and organize the bedside table, okay? All jokes aside, Bonnie has the perfect tip for your next bedroom photo:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Celebrities are always posting pictures of themselves first thing in the morning, so why shouldn’t you? Sit on the edge of the bed, cross your legs, grab that mug of coffee, and throw your hair to the side. Those are four simple steps that will change your next pictures!

Add different angles to your pictures.

While photographs are static, you can still add movement to them. Well, you can add the idea of movement, at least. If you want to make your pictures more dynamic, all it takes is a little bit of stretching, as you can see in the photo below:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

In the first picture, we cannot see how beautiful Bonnie’s body is. Once she stretches her leg and opens her arms, her entire stance changes, and so does the result of her picture. She even added arrows to the image so you can see exactly what you have to do to copy this pose.

It’s okay to edit your photos.

Nowadays, most people who have social media accounts live an awful dilemma. Should we try to look as natural as possible in our pictures or should we add a filter or two to the photos? The answer is simple: you can do whatever!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

As long as you don’t look like a completely different person, what’s the harm in using a filter on your photos? In this example, there’s an unedited photo (on the left) and a photo in which she edited the brightness and contrast. She still looks like herself, and the end result is perfect.

How to use the sunlight in your favor.

Three pictures ago, we told you that the sun won’t always help your pictures look better. However, you were probably left wondering how you could possibly use the sunlight in your favor. Don’t worry — we won’t leave you hanging!

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Remember that we mentioned that squinting your eyes in pictures isn’t flattering? Well, moving out of the sun isn’t the only option. Just close your eyes and try to look as relaxed as possible. This way, you’ll look like you’re basking in the sunlight, not struggling against it!

Looking pretty in the simplest ways.

Sometimes, when we see pictures of our favorite influencers, we probably can’t help but wish to copy their style. They always look amazing in photos, and it’s not wrong of us to want to look as pretty as they do.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot to copy an Instagram model’s posing style for pictures. There are simple poses that will make you look chic, as you can see in the picture above. Bonnie literally just sat on a chair — straighten your back, add movement to your feet, and make a confident face.

A tip for the summer.

We’re just a couple of months away from summer, and you’re probably dreading the moment you’ll have to take pictures with family and friends during your vacation. If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry anymore — Bonnie has the perfect tip for you.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

To look great in pictures, let your confident side come out! It may be challenging, but you’ll be happier with the results. Instead of hiding your body like Bonnie is doing in the first picture, turn away from the camera, keep your back straight, take a deep breath, and you’ll be looking like a bikini model!

This is how you pose with your back to the camera.

Looking back at the camera is probably one of the biggest clichés ever. We bet that you know someone who’s always posting pics like this — or maybe you’re that person. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with doing the same thing as everyone else, but did you know you can improve that pose?

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Instead of doing it like all the other girls, follow Bonnie’s helpful tips and take the best cliché photos you can. Rather than simply throwing a look at the camera over your shoulder, bend your leg a little and raise your shoulder slightly. It’s not hard to do that, and the results are amazing.

Never face the camera like this.

At this point, you’ve seen so many photography tips that you’re almost an expert. Almost. There are still some things we want to show you, and some precious tips that you deserve to know. First, never face the camera like this:

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

Maybe the picture on the left would be ideal for a mugshot — but not for your Instagram feed. If you’re dressed up and you want to show off your cute outfit, strike a confident pose like Bonnie is doing in the second picture.

Don’t hide behind your jacket.

If you have been looking for useful photography tips, then you must have come across a tip mentioning that you should avoid wearing jackets for your pictures. If you don’t know how to pose in a jacket, it is going to hide your curves.

Image courtesy of Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki/Instagram

You can still wear your favorite jacket for a picture, just make sure to keep it open so it won’t hide your outfit or your body. See how Bonnie’s curvy figure is on display even though she’s crouching and wearing that fabulous jacket? Just follow Bonnie and her tips for the perfect picture!