Very rarely do you look at a photo and think it looks perfect. Especially when it’s a crowded shot on someone’s smartphone in a poorly lit area. Here’s how to make sure those amateur shots turn out in your favor:

• Stand straight toward the camera with your toes slightly pointed outward, one leg slightly ahead of the other, turning your upper body slightly sideways
• Always smile unless you are very young, otherwise your lines will show more
• Never look directly into the sun, and always remove your sunglasses—sunglasses are always trendy and that great photo from this summer will look dated by next year if you don’t take off your shades
• If someone should catch you on the beach, don’t just lay there! Roll sideways onto your hip and elbow to give a flatter stomach and a more pleasing silhouette
• Never place your hands on your hips—you’ll look like you’re over posing or like you’re trying to be super sexy; the camera exaggerates every body gensture