Expert Tips On How To Look Slimmer In Selfies

The selfie is so popular that it was recently recognized as a legit word (you can now find it in the Oxford dictionary), many accessories have been marketed for selfie addicts (monopod, anyone?), and psychologists are studying obsessive selfie-takers, believing that those who are way too addicted to selfies may have an underlying mental health problem.

When it comes to taking selfies, it's not just about the app or the filter (although the "beauty" filter in Line Camera makes you look like a K-Pop star!), but also in the way you pose and present yourself. This was illustrated perfectly by a Korean YouTuber who posted a brief before and after video to show how important camera angles are.

We asked photographers and fashion and beauty experts on how you can take a slimming selfie (slimfie?) just in time for your summer adventures.

Get high
All the experts agree unanimously when they advise selfie-takers to aim high. "Point the camera downward when taking a selfie rather than eye level," says fashion and bridal photographer Pat Dy. According to Pat, taking a selfie with the camera pointing downward creates a higher angle, thus showing less neck and chin, streamlining the face and creating the illusion of cheekbones.

Lens matters
Another trick photographers share for women wanting to look slimmer in photos is not to take a photo using a camera with a wide angle lens. Wide angle lenses are usually the flat ones you see with focal ranges of 18-28 mm. While wide angle lenses are perfect for capturing a sunset or the wonderful scenery you're looking at while traveling, wide angle lenses also create distortion, making you look bigger when the lens hits you wrong. A trick to look slimmer in group photos is to avoid staying at the very edge and the dead center of the group photo when you know a wide angle lens will be used.

Body angle
Some wide lenses have a bit of distortion around the edges as well as a "fisheye" effect in the center, and the distortion from this can make you look swollen. Turn your body away from the camera, instead of facing it full frontal. Former Mega magazine beauty editor Kim Reyes-Palanca shares this invaluable tip to look slimmer overall when taking a full-body shot: "Twist torso or body and keep one leg in front; keep arms slightly away from your body so arms will look thinner."  

Stay on your good side
We're always told to stay on the good side of people, and when it comes to taking a selfie, it's also good advice to stay on your good side. Adds Kim, "If the camera is eye level, tilt your chin slightly downward and turn to face the side a bit," she shares. Kim also explains how an elongated neck can help yield a great photo. "Always pull your face forward just a bit (a common trick they do for beauty shoots) because this elongates the neck and looks better in photos overall." If you're already tilting the camera to take a photo from up high, Kim recommends doing the opposite of tilting your chin down and tilt the chin up instead.

Flatter yourself
When it comes to showing off your outfit of the day, fashion blogger and photographer Tricia Gosingtian shares the easiest way to nail that outfit selfie. "Planting one foot in front of the other guarantees a longer, slimmer silhouette if you're taking a full-body photo," shares Tricia. She adds, "Wear black from top to bottom and take photos from above; although this is tricky because you will look shorter, while taking a photo from below will make you look taller but heavier." Last but not least, she advises women to add a great pair of heels to the outfit. "This will give you better posture, adds height, and it will make your legs look great!"