IF you feel like you’re never happy with your bikini photos, don’t be hard on yourself.
While it’s easy to look at celebrity swimsuit photos and think we’ll never have stomachs that flat or arms that toned, it turns out that almost every celebrity in Tinseltown uses specific poses to make them look slim and sexy.
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Summer has long been associated with body image issues, with more than two in five women dreading swimsuit season.
And 77 percent feel more self-conscious during this period when many focus on the so-called bikini body.
But according to experts, many celebrities have a little-known secret to perfecting their look: the ‘bend and snap’ pose.
Celebrities contort, arch and stretch their torsos in an attempt to execute the perfectly curved ‘Swan Neck’ body shape.
Judi James
Favored by A-list celebrities and reality stars including Kylie Jenner, Amanda Holden and Maya Jama, ‘tuck and tuck’ ensures they capture a perfect bikini photo every time.
The pose involves pushing the breasts up and out to create a full but perky appearance, while the torso is stretched upward and arched back to slim the waist and create a flat tummy.
Finally, the ass is pushed out to make it as voluptuous as possible.
Body positive influencer Tally Sharp, who has 411,000 followers on Instagram page @thetallysharp, says: “Bikini photos are meant to feel your inner sensuality and, more importantly, show that you are enjoying your time relaxing in a welcoming destination.
“It’s all about sexy eyes, confidence and tension with the camera.
“Kylie Jenner is a great example of someone who does this pose well.
“She makes sure you can see the skin and thighs that shape the image, then mixes that with a little ‘fold and tuck’ and the image becomes more relieved.
“I take photos like this, but I also make sure to create images where my body is in its natural shape, because that’s even more beautiful.
“I want other women to embrace themselves in their own way, so if that’s learning poses or buying something that makes you feel sexy.
“I always feel powerful when I do the wet look, or in the studio with the fan blowing my hair.
“Not all the angles I use on my Instagram are the most flattering, but it’s me, it’s my body and I love it.”
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And it’s not just about looking great, but the pose also expresses a form of power, according to body language expert Judi James.
She says: “This is a ‘no pain, no gain’ pose where celebrities contort, arch and stretch their torsos in an attempt to execute the perfectly curved ‘Swan Neck’ body shape.
“It creates a fluidity of line, shape and movement that allows the eye to explore and appreciate the entire body, rather than presenting just one element, such as the neckline.
“Pushing your butt – the most sensual part of your body – signals sexual availability or arousal.
Bikini photos are meant to feel your inner sensuality and, most importantly, show that you are enjoying your time relaxing in a welcoming destination.
Sharp Count
“This gives a deeper reason as to why arching your back ’till you break’ is so popular.
“For modern celebrities, it is also a pose that suggests sexual superiority and specialness. The flattering ‘bend and pop’ suggests gym-honed flexibility and dedication, more sex goddess than girl next door.”
Here, Judi James looks at the celebrities who have perfected the ‘tuck and tuck’ pose to ensure you present the image you want, while Tally explains how to do it herself.
Maura Higgins
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Maura is doing a feature on her cleavage, but the 33-year-old actress looks more sweet than sexual.
Judi says: “Her smile may appear shy, with a laugh and an expression in her eyes that suggest a desire to be friendly.
“Maura’s back arching efforts were not wasted due to the camera angle which caused most of her sensual signals to be lost here.”
Kylie Jenner
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Kylie, 26, struck her ‘bend and snap’ pose while modeling an orange bikini.
Judi says: “Kylie’s pose is subtle but strong, ‘bend and snap’.
“Her looks are cute, but her courageous determination is formidable, as she can arch her spine, stick out her butt and pull down her pants, which adds emphasis.
“The hard meets the cute as she makes everything look easy.”
Arabela Chi
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Arabella, 33, struck the pose perfectly as she modeled a light brown bikini.
Judi says: “It looks like she has her eyes almost closed as she does the ‘bend and snap’ pose.
“It shows that she is thinking about the best sex of her life and savoring the moment.
“She is wearing a swimsuit that covers her assets, but the look here says it all in terms of sensual poses.”
Emily Ratajkowski
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Emily’s pose shows off the 33-year-old’s enviable six-pack abs.
Judi says: “The way she combines her leg curls and back arch without any tension on her face or neck shows that she is a consummate professional.
“She is using one arm in a barrier gesture here to cover her torso and provide a more discreet angle, suggesting she wants to give the impression that she is not desperate for attention.”
Amanda Holden
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No Holden back for Amanda, 55, as she goes on holiday.
Judi says: “Full marks to Amanda for squirming in ‘Bend and Snap’ while balancing on the deck railing and still trying to make it look like a moment of relaxed sun worship.
“This is a truly heroic dedication to the pose and she even adds outstretched arms and legs and ‘pointed’ toes to pose like the soldier she is.”
Ashley Graham
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In top model form, American model Ashley, 36, got top marks for showing how curvy girls can also strike the pose.
Judi says: “Ashley is putting minimal effort into her Bend and Snap here, extending one knee but avoiding too much spinal contortion.
“Her gaze to the right seems to suggest she is saying she is sexy enough without making any effort and those hands holding her pants suggest some inner confidence.”
Nicole Scherzinger
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Doesn’t Cha wish you were as hot as Nicole, 46, in her bikini pics? Well, the ‘bend and snap’ pose will make this doable.
Judi says: “Nicole’s perfect contortions here create the perfect S shape, from her outstretched toes to the slight tilt of her head back.
“She even strips naked with both arms, exposing her armpits in a sign of confidence and power.
“Nicole always seems like a perfectionist and it pays off in this memorable photo.”
How to recreate the pose
Body Positive Influencer Sharp Count revealed how to perfect the ‘bend and snap’ pose, just like celebrities have done.
“This pose is all about showing off your assets.
“This is where the breasts are pushed up and out to create a full but perky appearance.
“Then the torso is stretched upwards and arched backwards to slim the waist and create a flat tummy.
“Finally, the butt is pushed out to make it as voluptuous as possible.”
My other tips for getting the perfect photo…
Form
The perfect photo includes SHAPE, and use your body, or an outfit to highlight it.
Bikinis and lingerie work well for these photos, and it’s best to use them as an accessory—they’ll also help define your shape.
Take your bikini and lift your hips, or adjust the side of the bikini while gently using your other hand to shape your face or grab the hair on each side of your head like a natural blowout.
Then place one leg in front of the other. It’s about diversity in the image.
Angle
Know which angels you like. It’s so funny, whenever I meet someone who follows me on Instagram they always say ‘you’re so much shorter in real life, I thought you were tall!’
This always makes me laugh because the angle I use is hip height slightly upwards, which elongates the image, making me look taller.
So learn from a friend what angles you like about yourself, and when you find them, it will make everything so much easier.
Practice leads to perfection
Try sitting, standing, lying down and every other level you can imagine.
One thing I live by is: if it’s not working and we’re not getting the right photo: sit down or change the background.
Have a good time
Content creation is all about fun! And that’s when you’ll ‘take the photo’! Splash water, dance, be creative and prosper, darling.
Follow Tally Sharp on Instagram page @thetallysharp for more body positive content
Maya Jama
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Combining sexuality but also the ‘best friend’ vibe is why the 29-year-old is such a good Love Island host.
Judi says: “Her back arch creates a Kardashian-style hourglass body shape.
“She has her hands behind her head and looks at the camera with a slight mischievous smile. She is showing her friendly nature but proving that she is not to be messed with.
“Sexy but relatable.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
