Most women feel self-conscious about their weight and use it as the main excuse for not having their pictures taken.

While I understand that we feel a lot more confident when we’re in shape but as a portrait photographer I also feel that it’s my responsibility to convince

women to NOT wait for that magical number to hit the scale, but to exist in photographs NOW… WITH their children, FOR their children!

As portrait photographer, who specializes in photographing every day women, I’m here to tell you that with proper POSING and LIGHTING I can make anybody look instantly 10 pounds lighter.

Another key component is STYLING!

So whether you are getting ready for a photo shoot, big event OR just in general you’d like to look thinner, here is Dana Lynch’s, personal stylist, expert advice on this topic:

Avoid baggy clothes

Shapeless, oversized clothes can give you a comfortable hiding place, but the truth is these silhouettes add unnecessary inches to your body! Your clothes don’t need to be tight, but for a slimmer look, they should skim your body giving us a hint that you’re actually in there. 

Wear the same color head to toe

Typically we think of black when we’re trying to slim our look, but truly dressing in one color (or a monochromatic color scheme) works with any color…even white! 

Whenever you dress in one color from head to toe, you automatically look slimmer. You’re not breaking your body up into any parts, which creates a long lean line…and a long, lean you! 

V-necks 

V-neck necklines are universally flattering.  They draw the eye to the middle of your body, and from there it automatically goes up to your beautiful face. 

 Long necklace will also help elongate your frame.

Jackets/blazers 

If you want a more substantial look than just a V-neck blouse or sweater alone can give you, look no further than a classic blazer or jacket. Worn open, you create a long slim line down the center of your body…always slimming! 

If you are what I call a “buttoner” and prefer to button your blazers, choosing a jacket with slim lapels and a deep V (see, there’s that V again,) will draw the eye in toward the middle of your body. 

The deep V blazer has an added bonus. It’s slim point creates the visual illusion that your waist is much, much smaller! 

Illusion Dresses

Illusion dresses have dark side panels with a contrasting color running down the middle of the dress. This style is magical! It tricks the eye into thinking you’re only as wide as the middle of the dress. 

Slimming patterns

So far we’ve been talking about a lot of solid colors. But what if you like patterns? Great news…you can wear patterns! Somewhat small patterns, with curved lines and a continuous flow can be equally slimming. 

With this kind of pattern you’re leading the eye to move all around your body, and when you keep the eye moving, you look slimmer! 

Always be cautious with larger, spotty patterns. For example, you never want a singular flower sitting right on the middle of your booty! 

Wrap dresses

Wrap dresses are instantly slimming, because they cinch the smallest part of the torso…and they usually have a V-neck, which slims your upper body. Finally they flow gracefully over your hips…an overall feminine, flattering silhouette. 

Shapewear 

Shapewear has come a long way over the years!  Shapers are vastly more comfortable than they used to be, and truly, there’s a style for every need and body shape. 

Besides smoothing and slimming, shapewear is a real confidence booster! And lastly, what you may not know…all of the celebrities on the red carpet are wearing shapewear. 

These are just a few of style ideas to help you instantly look 10 pounds slimmer. Once you learn the tricks of creating optical illusions with your clothes, fashion can be fun again. 

For more ideas on how to dress for your unique personal style and body type check out Dana’s blog at www.elementsofimage.com , or follow her at  www.facebook.com/elementsofimage/ or www.instagram.com/elementsofimage

To inquire about a photo session of your own you can click here to contact Edina at Beyoutiful Portraits