Stop Looking Awkward in Holiday Photos: 3 Photographer-Approved Fixes

Stop dreading holiday photos and get in front of that camera, Mama.

Raise your hand if you've ever looked at a holiday photo and thought, "What was I DOING with my hands?"

Or noticed your arm looks twice its normal size because it's pressed against your body?

Or realized your front leg looks like a tree trunk instead of, you know, an actual leg?

Yeah. Same.

Holiday photos should feel festive, not like a moment of pure panic where you forget how your limbs work. And you deserve to look back at holiday photos and love what you see.

The good news? Looking better in photos isn't about being "photogenic"—it's about knowing a few simple tricks. We're breaking down three photographer-approved fixes from professional photographer Marissa Wu that'll instantly make you look more confident and relaxed in every picture.

What you get in this episode...

• How to avoid “slug fingers” and the S-curve secret

• Sitting and standing angles that slim what's closest to the camera

• The "teapot" and "raptor" poses that open your shoulders without looking staged

• Group photo tricks that solve "where do my arms go?" questions once and for all

Listen Here

Holiday Photo Tips to Boost Your Confidence

Fix 1: Stop Making Slug Fingers

Let's tackle the biggest culprit first: what to do with your hands.

If you're like most people, your instinct is to lace your fingers together in front of you. Don't. This flattens your fingers and makes them look like a blob—or as we call it, "slug fingers."

What to do instead:

Give your hands a job. This is the golden rule that solves everything.

• Hold a clutch or purse

• Adjust a lapel or collar

• Graze the side of your skirt or dress

• Rest one hand on someone's shoulder in group photos

• Touch your jewelry (earring for a soft profile, necklace for a natural curve)

• Overlap your hands lightly instead of lacing them

When your hands have something to do, your face relaxes. When your hands look awkward, your whole body looks tense.

The goal is to look like you're naturally doing something, not like you're desperately trying to hide your hands.

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Fix 2: Master the S-Curve (AKA Stop Standing Like a Column)

Here's what most people do wrong: they put all their weight on their front leg when posing for photos.

This makes you look wider and eliminates any natural curve to your body. You end up looking like a column instead of having a flattering silhouette.

The fix: Shift your weight to your BACK leg.

Standing photos:

• Weight on the back leg

• Front foot rests lightly (gently bend the knee if it feels natural)

• This creates an S-curve that elongates your body

• The leg closest to the camera should appear slightly behind the other

Seated photos:

• Cross the leg nearest the camera

• This keeps angles clean and prevents fabric from bunching

• Remember the golden rule: The closer to the camera, the bigger it looks

This one simple shift—putting weight on your back leg instead of your front—will change your photos immediately.

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Fix 3: Create Daylight Between Your Arms and Torso

This is the big one that nobody tells you: When you press your arms against your body, they flatten out and look wider.

Marissa Wu calls this "roadkilling" your arms. When there's no space between your arms and torso, you lose definition and everything smooshes together into what we affectionately call "barms" (back + arms = barms).

The fix: Create space.

The Teapot Pose (Classic for a reason):

• Bend your elbows slightly

• Bring your hands toward your waist

• Keep elbows out to create a triangle of space

• This defines your waist and creates a flattering silhouette

The Raptor Pose (Softer variation):

• Clasp your hands at belt level (like you're holding a small clutch)

• Gently extend your elbows outward

• This opens your shoulders and defines your waist without looking too posed

For group photos:

• Place an arm behind someone's back

• Rest fingertips on someone's shoulder

• This gives your body a natural task and prevents compression

The goal is "daylight"—visible space between your arms and your body. This one trick will make you look more defined and confident in every photo.

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Quick Reference: Your Holiday Photo Cheat Sheet

Hands:

• ❌ Laced fingers (slug fingers)

• ✅ Give them a job (hold, touch, adjust something)

Legs:

• ❌ Weight on front leg (column effect)

• ✅ Weight on back leg (S-curve)

Arms:

• ❌ Pressed flat against torso (barms)

• ✅ Create daylight (teapot or raptor pose)

Remember: The closer to the camera, the bigger it looks. Apply this to everything—legs, arms, hands.

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The Bottom Line

You're not "unphotogenic." You just didn't know what to do with your body parts (which, honestly, is a completely normal problem).

These three fixes—giving your hands a job, shifting weight to your back leg, and creating daylight with your arms—are small habits that'll change your holiday photos immediately.

No awkward posing. No feeling self-conscious. Just simple tricks that make you look relaxed and confident.

Now go forth and conquer those holiday photo ops. Your future self will thank you when you're not cringing at every picture.

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Want more tips? Listen to the full episode for even more photo advice, plus minute-to-win-it party game ideas and our appreciation for The Muppet Christmas Carol (because obviously).

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Make good photo choices,

Caitlin & Jenny

Sources & Mentions

• I’m a Photographer and These Are the 3 Things You Should Avoid Doing in Photos | By Marissa Wu for PureWow

  
  

Who We Are

Caitlin K. and Jenny GK are two friends navigating the hilarious and sometimes chaotic world of adulthood. From awkward family photos to the joys (and perils) of holiday baking, they're here to share their relatable stories and offer a healthy dose of laughter along the way.