Pose

Why is it that celebrities always look skinny in red carpet photos? I live in NYC's West Village and I can vouch that your average celebrity Ain't All That. She tends to be short and bobbleheaded with proper child-bearing hips just like you and me (except for Giselle Bundchen and Sienna Miller, the skinny little...).

So how is it that in pictures they all appear so slim-ly terrific? More importantly, how can we look 10 pounds thinner in photos?

The secret is in the pose. (That, and the fact that they starve themselves a week before events and get sprayed by professional tanning people and wear gut-sucking Spanx and ...). Back to the pose. Here we share five secrets to appearing 10 pounds thinner in photos. You can practice these tips in front of a mirror, but we suggest locking your door first so as not to be caught appearing vain.

Secret No. 1: Turn partially sideways to the camera, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back foot.

Secret No. 2: Pull head forward slightly to minimize any appearance of a double chin.

Secret No. 3: Hold arms slightly away from your body. This keeps upper arm flab from flattening out and therefore appearing flabbier (much like thighs do when one sits on a couch).

Secret No. 4: Pull shoulders back, chest forward and gently suck stomach in. Be careful not to suck stomach so far in that your ribs show, thereby causing those who later see the photo to cluck to themselves in a bemused, sing-song voice, "She's sucking i-in."

Secret No. 5: If you can get away with it without looking like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Girl wannabe, try the look away trick. To do this, look away from the camera, then turn towards it, breaking into a smile just before the camera clicks. Your smile will appear fresh, not frozen. This trick takes practice behind closed, locked doors.

When taking a photo it's also important the photographer does not snap the picture from below. This adds another 20-50 pounds to the 10 pounds automatically and annoying added by the camera. Find out why cameras add 10 pounds in this article by Geek Sugar.

More tips on looking 10 pounds thinner in photos:

Use objects you are holding to your advantage by placing them in front of parts of you you'd prefer to hide. A purse or corsage in front of your belly. A jacket slung over the shoulder. (Gwyneth Paltrow used a perfectly placed purse to hide her baby bump before she announced her pregnancy with Apple).

Check out Spanx hosiery. The very modern version of the corset, Spanx are famous for making women all over the world appear 10 pounds thinner. I own four pairs. (Don't invest in the panty hose, like most hose, they tend to tear and these are pricey).

Fake tans will make you look and feel skinnier. Unfortunately, they tend to reek, except for GlowFusion, a spray tanner I swear is not odorous.

It's not just black that makes you look thinner. Wearing an entire outfit of just one color will do the trick as well, whether it be white, beige, brown, blue or red. One color tends to elongate your figure. Avoid entire outfits in pink, however, unless you are four years old or younger.

How to pose for pictures?

Tips on becoming photogenic

With the widespread use of digital cameras, we are taking a lot of pictures. Of course, it is fine to take your pictures any way you want (after all, if they don't look good, just delete them!), but for some situations you want to look your best (Model beauty secrets). For example, in your personal ad or when you post your pictures online for whatever reason. Below are some tips on how to pose for pictures and look beautiful in photos, as demonstrated by model Sylvia Bakken (and if you take photos, send them to us - we may publish them on our website):

Stand up pretty. This means stand up straight but be natural, not military style. You can do this if you imagine that you are hanging from a cord on the very top of your head. Therefore, your neck is elongated and your ears and shoulders are separated from each other. Tuck in your tummy.

The shoulders are slightly arched back so your breasts look perky.

Put one leg in front of the other. That is how Eva Longoria and Halle Berry do it. This way they look longer. The knees should be a little bent, but do not lock your knees. This not only damages them but also looks bad. Your feet should be pointing to the front.

Rotate your shoulders 3/4 to the front. This will make you and your waist look thinner.

Lower your chin slightly. See Oreke Mosheshe.

Look directly in the lens of the camera. Flirt with the camera. Imagine that the camera is your boyfriend.

Let your hands be free. Try not to pose with your purse or glasses in your hands. That way the attention will be on you, not on the object that you are carrying. (Related: How to take care of your hands)

Practice. The Hollywood divas were not born like that; they all learned it and continue to refine their skills through practice and lessons. You can have your own photo shoot by asking a friend or family members to take your pictures and give you feedback.

Diva: posing gorgeous in your pictures

Have you noticed how Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Paris Hilton and other celebrities pose the same way for most pictures? Here are some easy tips to look great in photos: 1- Stand up pretty. This means stand up straight but be natural, not military style. You can do this if you imagine that you are hanging from a cord on the very top of your head. Therefore, your neck is elongated and your ears and shoulders are separated from each other. Tuck in your tummy. 2- The shoulders are slightly going back so your breasts are in the front looking perky and pretty.

3- Put one leg in front of the other. That is how Eva Longoria and Halle Berry do it. This way the legs look longer. The knees should be a little bent. Do not lock your knees; this not only damages them but also looks bad. Your feet should be pointing to the front. With only this your photos will look great with any camera.