7 Ways for Petites to Look Taller in Pictures, According to a 5'1" Editor and a Professional Photographer

Work your angles…and your height

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Published Feb 13, 2025

How to Look Taller in Pictures as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida from two angles and photo of Florence Pugh

Stephanie Maida/Lionel Hahn/Getty Images/Dasha Burobina

Long before the days of Instagram and iPhones, I was shoving bulky digital cameras into my friends’ hands, begging them to capture my outfit for whichever early-social-media-era platform I was using at the time (Myspace, Tumblr…and does anyone remember Xanga?). And ever since I can remember, I was instructing them on how to get my “best angle,” which, for someone clocking in at 5’1”, basically meant that which made me look longer and taller—millennial teapot pose notwithstanding.

After thousands of deleted takes and many years of practice, both in front of and behind the camera, I’ve learned all the tips and tricks it takes for a petite person like moi to look taller in pictures—and have even run them by my professional photographer friend for her expert stamp of approval. (Hint: It’s all about clever positioning.) If you’re a fellow shortie hoping to create the illusion of extra height in your photos, read on for a few approaches that can make all the difference.

Meet the Expert

Yumi Matsuo is a Brooklyn-based lifestyle and wedding photographer whose work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, The Cut, Forbes, New York Family and Brides.

How to Look Taller in Pictures as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida from two angles

Stephanie Maida/Dasha Burobina

1. Position the Camera Below Eye Level and Angle It Upward

Whenever my taller friends (or my 6’2” boyfriend) snap a photo of me from their vantage point, I look like an ant photographed from an airplane. So one of the first things I tell my photographer du jour when handing them my iPhone is to hold the camera (well, phone) at a lower point, while angling the lens slightly upward—a tip echoed by Matsuo. If someone is closer to my height, I request that they position it near their chin or chest, a bit below eye level. If my much-taller BF is taking my pic, however, I’ll have him hold the lens even lower, about at his stomach.

Here’s the thing: No matter your height, taking a photo from a higher angle is going to visually compact your lower body. Getting the shot from a slightly lower angle, though, manipulates your proportions, making your legs look longer, and by extension, making you appear taller.

Stephanie Maida

2. ...Unless You're Taking a Selfie

Everything in the mirror realm is reversed, including the camera's perspective...and the above height rule for taking photos. When snapping selfies in a full-length mirror, I actually find that holding the camera closer to eye level (or slightly above) and angling it a bit downward instantly elongates my figure—particularly when combined with the other tips below. Petites looking through the looking glass, take note.

3. Shoulders Back, Head Up

Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest balancing a book on your head, but I am going to channel your grandmother and tell you to stop slouching—especially in pictures. Good posture looks good on everyone, but it’s particularly important for petites to master, as it helps us to make the most of our stature. So hold your head up high and square those shoulders. Not only does this confident posture lend itself to creating a more powerful presence in photos, it also allows for the literal lengthening of the head and neck, adding more height overall.

4. Put One Leg Slightly in Front of the Other, and Tilt Your Hips Forward

While this may feel awkward at first, trust me—it makes for a great shot. The idea here is to place your legs slightly closer to the camera than your upper body to add height and length. As Matsuo explains, “Whatever’s closer to the camera looks larger because of the distortion, so your legs will appear longer if you push them slightly forward.” She also adds that you can perfect this pose by putting your weight on your back leg, which naturally prompts you to lean your torso back a bit.

How to Look Taller in Pictures as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida and Florence Pugh

Lionel Hahn/Getty Images/Stephanie Maida

5. Cross One Leg Over the Other

You’ll see petite stars from Sabrina Carpenter to Florence Pugh employing this trick on the red carpet, even if their legs are covered up by a longer dress—and personally, it’s my go-to whenever I’m about to strike a pose. When combined with the tips above, the classic leg crossover cuts a sleek and streamlined figure and makes your legs look like they go on for days. Not to mention, it results in a little pop of the hip, which creates a flattering curve that translates well to pictures. Now that’s what I consider putting your best foot forward.

6. Stand Closer to the Camera If You’re with a Taller Friend or Group

By now you may be thinking, This is all well and good but how can I possibly avoid looking short when I’m snapping a pic alongside a taller friend or a mixed-height group? Well, the same logic applies: Whatever (or whoever) is closest to the camera looks taller. Instead of standing side-by-side in a straight line, position yourself slightly in front of your taller companion(s). Although it may not completely disguise any height differences, taking this approach can help to close the gap so it looks less extreme. Photographer and TikTok creator Christine Buzan (aka @lookgoodinphotos) provides a great example in the video above.

how to look taller in photos street style

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

7. Be Strategic with Your Style

We all know that how you’re dressed affects how you’re perceived in a mental sense, but it’s also true in the literal, visual sense. Beyond the obvious approach of wearing sky-high heels (which, in some cases, can actually make your legs look shorter), there are certain types of clothing that short women should wear (and some they should avoid) in order to be perceived as taller in photos. Vertical stripes, V-necklines and pointed-toe shoes, for instance, can all trick the eye into elongating your form in both photos and IRL. High-waist bottoms, meanwhile, play with your proportions, making your legs look longer by shortening your torso. And, of course, slim-fitting or structured styles are always preferred over loose, shapeless pieces that overwhelm and drown out shorter frames.

While that’s not to say you can’t wear what you love and are comfortable in, you may want to combine some basic petite styling rules with the methods above if your goal is specifically to look taller in a photo.