How to Fix the “Caught Side-On in a Chair” Photo

We’ve all been there. Someone whips out their phone and catches you side-on in a chair. The result? Wide, compressed, and not the least bit flattering. It’s the kind of photo that makes you want to untag yourself immediately.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to leap into a dramatic pose or completely rearrange yourself to fix it. You can take that unflattering moment and, with a few small tweaks, transform it into something polished and confident. Think of it as a sliding scale - start simple, add more if you feel like it, and stop wherever feels comfortable.

Step 1: The “Caught Off Guard” Look

This is the before shot. Sitting back in the chair, knees and torso at right angles, hands parked awkwardly on your thighs. It flattens your shape and widens your frame because everything is square to the camera.

Step 2: Slide To The Back of the Chair

By perching closer to the furthest edge of the chair away from the camera and leaning your torso towards the camera, you instantly open up your body line. It lengthens your torso and gives you space to move. Already, you’re decompressing your body.

Step 3: Cross or Extend Your Legs

Shift your weight to the hip that is closest to the camera. A gentle cross at the ankles or extending your legs almost parallel to the camera pulls the eye down your frame, elongating and slimming. 

Step 4: Elongate Your Legs to Play With 2D

Here’s where the magic really happens. By leaning back slightly and extending your legs toward the camera, you create instant length. The camera works in two dimensions, so whatever is closer to the lens looks bigger and whatever is further away looks smaller. By sending your legs forward, they appear longer and slimmer, while the rest of your body is naturally minimised in comparison.

It’s one of those sneaky little perspective tricks that makes you look taller, leaner and more relaxed, all while still looking totally natural.

The Takeaway

It doesn’t take a dramatic Vogue-level pose to save a chair photo. It’s about layering small tweaks. Start by moving forward on the chair, then add an arm, then a leg, then a lean. Stop wherever feels right for your confidence and the vibe you want to give.

The beauty is that you can build this step by step. One tweak alone makes a big difference, but stacked together they completely transform the photo.

If you loved this little step-by-step, don’t forget the Everyday Posing Kit is packed with tips just like these. It’s my full method for understanding your body and angles so you never feel awkward or stuck when someone pulls out a camera.