05/19/2026
Most people look stiff in photos because they’re trying way too hard to ‘pose correctly’
And I get it. You’ve probably heard things like stand straight, smile nicely, angle your face, hold still.
But the more you try to control every part of your body, the more unnatural it actually looks.
But here’s the real issue. Awkward photos don’t come from “bad posing”, they come from over-posing.
Your body starts to feel like it’s being performed, not lived in.
So instead, I teach people just 3 simple shifts that instantly feel more natural.
First, shift your weight onto your back leg. It takes the pressure off your posture instantly.
Second, give your hands something to do. Touch your jacket, tuck your pocket, lightly brush your hair. anything but freezing them.
Third, add a tiny bit of movement. A slow step, a slight turn of the shoulders, or leaning into the light.
AND THEREFORE, the goal stops being “pose perfectly” and becomes “look like you’re in a moment.”
That’s when people stop looking stiff, and start looking like themselves.
