When I did my photo shoot for my website pictures, my graphic designer insisted that I get a “Full Body Shot”. That’s when you get a picture taken from head-to-toe. Here I am thinking… “Oh great, the most unflattering pose ever. Sure, sign me up!”

Luckily, I had a really good photographer who obviously knew what she was doing, because in the end… I LOVED THEM! Maybe even more than my up-close shots!

So here, in short, are the key secret elements to a fantastically slimming Full Body Shot. I will start from the bottom up:

• Feet: Notice how in both my pictures, my feet are together and never side-by-side? Well, I guess that’s a huge part of creating that hour-glass illusion and slimming effect at the bottom of the picture.
• Legs: Whether you cross your legs or keep them close, make it look like you have one leg. Weird, I know. Just do it. I think it helps give you a nice curve in the hips (which as an apple shape, I could use).
• Hips and Waist: Always stand on an angle and face the camera with your “good side”. If you don’t know which is your good side, the professional photographer will and SHOULD tell you. The idea here is to create the illusion of a smaller waist line. Like you are capturing only 3/4 of your body.
• Hands: Having your hands on your waist makes it look like you have a smaller waist line and shows it! That is what is important here. Because I am wearing a blazer, having my hand there really helps to define my waist.
• Arms and Shoulders: My large arms and wide shoulders, which I personally think disfavours my figure, are sort of hidden in these pictures. Hiding one arm behind you again narrows your silhouette. The bend in the other arm and drop in the shoulder creates some movement and angles in the picture, to an otherwise very boring image.
• Head: If it feels odd, you look great! Not sure what the formula is but it’s something like “Chin forward, head tilted to the side and down”. Again, you are not usually looking straight on into the lens, you are at a slight angle with hopes to focus on your better angle.
• Face: I like smiling, it’s my security blanket for pictures. If I don’t smile, I have “mean face” going on… or sometimes they call it “resting b$@tc&” face. It’s not my fault, but I am sometimes told that I am intimidating at first because of it.

If I may digress for those who want more information on styling for a photoshoot…

Prepping for a photoshoot takes a long time but is worth the attention to detail. Here is what I did to prepare for the shoot:

1. Clothing- I went for casual, business and fashionable. That’s me in a nutshell. I’m wearing a classic outfit that is flattering and comfortable.
2. Makeup- Lots of it! Lots of contouring, highlights, fake lashes, bronzer, liner and bright lips! The camera robs you of makeup so make sure you have more than not enough. (PS- For those who don’t know, I am also a makeup artist. I highly encourage you to invest in makeup for your pictures).
3. Hair done- I had my hair done at my favourite trendy salon “Hair Republic” on Bank Street the day before. I simply refreshed my curls myself in the morning. Again, I highly recommend investing in your hair for something like this.
4. Nails did- I got a manicure at “The Upkeep Shop” my favourite nail boutique on Preston Street. I was getting up-close pics done with my hands, so that was very important for me.

If you are doing professional photos for your business, don’t forget that this is part of your brand, your marketing and your image. It is worth the upfront investment. And the last thing I want to leave you with is….You should look like yourself in real life!!!! No powdery finished photoshop garbage mumbo jumbo. That’s all! haha
xox Chantsy