If you shy away from the camera because you don't think you take a good photo, think again. It could be all in the way you strike (or don't strike) a pose. We visited photographer Jonathan Cruz, who has worked with such celebrities as Michael Buble and Daryl Hannah, to learn how to pose properly.

Posing Basics:

Posture is important

• Stand up straight as though you’re a marionette and someone is pulling up on a string attached to the top of your head.

• Keep your shoulders back (which also helps push your chest out, hint hint) to appear taller and slimmer. 

 Position your body

• Don’t face the camera directly. Instead, tilt your hips away from the camera, while keeping your shoulders facing back toward the camera, though not square on. This trick helps create a slimming effect.

• Avoid facing your hips square on to the camera, which creates an illusion of wideness.

• Step one foot in front of the other, whichever feels more comfortable with your hip tilt. This also helps create the illusion of a slim silhouette.

Face Facts

• Point your face toward the light source (e.g. the sun or lighting) for a more flattering look.

• If you face away from the light, you may end up with dark shadows across your face.

• Avoid lifting your chin up, especially if you’re trying to hide a double chin, since this can do the opposite, leading to a photo that highlights your neck instead of one that focuses your face. It can also give us an unflattering view up your nose.

• Lower your face as you look toward the camera and tilt your head ever so slightly. This will give your face a more heart-shaped, longer look.

• To minimize a double chin, make sure you’re standing up straight with your shoulders back. Avoid hunching over or slouching. If you’re looking at the camera straight-on, think about pushing your forehead toward the camera, which has the effect of stretching out your under-chin area. It may feel weird (and it looks a little like E.T. from the side view), but it really works!

Hand to hand

• Position your hands on a part of your body you want to highlight (e.g. on your waist to highlight an hourglass shape).

• Relax your hands and allow yourself to place them as you naturally would.

• Avoid putting your hands near a part of your body you want to hide (e.g. down at your sides highlights your thighs).

• Also avoid showing the back of your hand square to the camera, which can makethem look overly large.

Camera? What camera?

• Try not to be too conscious of the camera or get too pose-y.

• Have fun and be yourself!