You can imagine that one of the #1 questions I get asked during a photoshoot is..”what do I do with my hands?”. If we stop and think about it, there really are endless options for hand placements that it can seem overwhelming and lead you to freeze in front of the camera. As a photographer, I still struggle with this when I’m getting my photo taken! But the more you practice, the more you start to remember which will make you feel more confident in front of the camera.

Below are three tips for hand placements when you are getting your photo taken.

Tip number 1: Grab on to something you’re wearing. This could be a lapel on a jacket or blazer, extra fabric on a flowy dress or shirt, or an accessory like a purse strap or necklace.

Tip number 2: Avoid the chicken wing: What’s the chicken wing? That’s the sharp ‘skinny arm pose’ we all learned in the early 2010’s where you put your hand on your waist with a sharp elbow out away from your body. To look more natural, try a slight bend at the elbow CLOSER to your body, like you see below. You can achieve this by putting your hand on your thigh or in a pocket.

Tip number 3: Where ever your hands go, make sure you leave some space between your arms and torso for a more flattering look. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you have big arms because your skin in pressing against your body.