35 Poses For Taking the Best Instagram Photos

There’s no better way to show off your outfit.

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This post will give you 35 of the best Instagram poses.

Header Image: Best Instagram Poseswoman posing for a photo in front of a white wall while wearing high-waisted shorts, a black swimsuit top, and a head scarf

If you’re like me, Instagram is one of your favorite social media apps to use. Sometimes I get into a love/hate relationship with it, but I always circle back to love.

It’s my favorite way to get fashion inspiration and outfit ideas. It’s a creative outlet for me, and although some take it seriously, I like to just have fun with it and post what makes me happy.

That being said, one of the things that can lead me towards hating the app is coming up with photo ideas. I love taking and posting pictures, but it gets difficult to come up with fun and creative poses. I don’t want my whole feed to just be smiling photos, especially when I am wearing a cool outfit that I want to show off.

If you have the same issue, worry no more! This post will show you 35 of the best Instagram poses to show off your outfit and take trendy photos for social media.

Related reading: The 15 Hottest Instagram Fashion Trends You Need to Know About

Instagram Pose 1: One Leg In Front

Take the classic standing pose, then stick one leg in front. This will elongate your leg and give the shot some interest.

Don’t forget to point your toe and really put emphasis on front leg. This is a great pose for playing around with angles. Try shooting down or upwards towards your body for a little extra flair.

Instagram Pose 2: Stand to the Side

Here we go! This is another standing pose, but a great one for playing around and showing off your outfit.

Turn your body directly to the side, kick forward or backward whatever leg is facing the camera, point your toe, and finish with your hands doing something playful. Put your weight on that back leg for the most flattering stance.

This pose will add some sass to your feed, no doubt about it.

Instagram Pose 3: Kick Your Leg

This pose can be done from virtually any angle. We love the idea of taking the shot from the back as a unique twist.

Show off your outfit by kicking up your leg. This is a must if you have a flowy outfit with a unique silhouette. It’s also key for making your shoes the centerpiece.

Instagram Pose 4: The Criss Cross

This particular pose is very versatile, as you can play around with your leg position.

Just sit on the ground or any flat surface. Cross your legs, then either keep them flat or kick one out. Either way, I would keep your hands on your legs or around your ankles.

Try to take the photo from a high angle, almost above you or looking down. Bonus points if you find a cool brick wall or a mural.

Instagram Shot 5: Hug Your Knees

This pose is super easy and looks best if you’re leaning against a wall or something else. Nobody would sit like this on an open floor without back support, so remember to keep it natural.

Simply sit back and put both feet flat on the ground. You can either hug your knees or just lean over them. This shot is super casual.

Instagram Pose 6: The Lean

Leaning pics are super cute if you can find a good spot for one.

It’s easy; simply lean against a wall, door, or anything tall enough to support you. This pose is very flirty and gorgeous.

Instagram Pose 7: Sit In Chair

To elevate your sitting pictures, do something other than simply sit in a chair.

Try putting one leg up and leaning to the side, or drinking coffee or a fancy cocktail. This gives the shot a little something more interesting.

This vibe is perfect for brunch pics or coffee shop shots.

Instagram Pose 8: Touch Your Hair

Pretending to fix or touching your hair makes any picture a statement.

If you don’t know what to do with your hands or feel awkward, give it a try! This is a great go-to pose that many influencers use to show off their outfit and capture flattering angles.

Related reading: 20 Fall Photoshoot Ideas You Will Love

Instagram Shot 9: Fix Your Sunnies

Holding or fixing your sunglasses is another go-to for me. It’s an easy way to pose that gives you some style and makes you feel less awkward when taking solo shots.

It feels very casual and California!

Instagram Pose 10: Sun In Your Face

Whether you choose to stand or lie down, this pose is a showstopper! Just raise one or both hands in front of your face, like you are blocking the sun.

It gives your shot a candid vibe and will look really good on your feed… just make sure the light is directly hitting you, otherwise it won’t make much sense.

Instagram Pose 11: Hands Crossed

Crossing your arms is a great way to look relaxed and natural in a photo. It positions your body perfectly, especially for sitting photos.

You can always try this while standing up and crossing your arms tighter for more of a power move photo.

Instagram Shot 12: Walking

Walking pictures are great for showing off your background and getting further away images. Plus, these photos really show off your outfit well and add some dimension to your feed.

Just walk back and forth to get the right angles… don’t forget to take some from behind, too!

Instagram Pose 13: The Car Shot

Car pictures are a simple way to change up your scenery. There’s so much you can do with them and they almost always come out looking trendy.

Try either sitting up straight and looking away from the camera, laying back and putting your feet on the dash, or sitting on the edge of the seat with the car door open.

Instagram Shot 14: Elevated Mirror Selfie

Update the typical mirror selfie by adding some different levels and poses into them.

Try some squatting or kneeling, or sticking your leg out to elongate your body and show off your bottoms. Just make sure everything behind your body is clean and tidy!

Instagram Pose 15: The Classic Laugh

Laughing in your photos is a great way to get some stunning candid shots.

When I do my laughing photos, I like to look to the side or away from the camera, to give it an even more natural aesthetic.

Instagram Pose 16: Hands Up

Another classic pose to try is to raise your hands above your head. Seriously… give it a try!

Incorporate this with a wide stance, and you have a very pleasing photo that shows your personality off while being flirty!

Instagram Shot 17: Squat

The Instagram squat is the cutest pose of all! You can try either putting one knee down or both up for that perfect squat. It’s trendy and flattering.

Instagram Pose 18: Touch  Your Face

There are many ways to do this one. You can place your hand near your face for a little mystery, or cover your face entirely to put the focus on your outfit and the setting. It’s totally up to you.

Instagram Pose 19: The Look Back

The way you stand can make all the difference in how your photo turns out. So why not switch it up and try shooting your outfit from behind? You’ll get a flattering side profile of your face, and you can show off the back of your outfit — great if it incorporates a pretty detail like lace or a low back.

Instagram Pose 20: Pose with Props

Props are a fun and creative way to add diversity and uniqueness to your Instagram photos. And the options here are endless — hold a bouquet of flowers, a Starbucks cup, or pose with your bike on the street. There are so many cool ways to play with this one.

Instagram Pose 21: The Knee Up

There are so many standing pics on IG, so switch it up with a sitting pose. Sit on a comfy chair with your knee up, and rest or lean against it as well! You can also dangle one leg off of the edge of the chair if you’re sitting in an open area — mix it up and play with what looks best.

Instagram Pose 22: Downward Glance

The downward glance will never let you down. It works for everyone…seriously! When you’re taking outfit photos, it’s smart to always snap one quick “look down” picture just in case the other pics don’t come out the way you want. (Lighting on the face can be so tricky!)

Instagram Pose 23: The Twirl

A common Instagram pose for girls is the twirl. This super cute pose idea can make your photos feel more candid and authentic. It also adds movement which always makes a photo more interesting. Use this one when you have a skirt or dress that deserves its moment.

Instagram Pose 24: The Peace Sign

The peace sign isn’t as popular as it used to be, but it’s still a solid option when you want to switch up your grid. My favorite way to do the peace sign is looking off to the side — never staring right at the camera. Also, I love these shots when they’re taken from below, as seen above.

Instagram Pose 25: Flip Your Hair

When you flip your hair to the side or tuck it behind your ear, it gives your photo a beautiful sense of movement and makes your picture look more candid. Always an easy one when you don’t know what other pose to do.

Instagram Pose 26: The Follow-Me

Always a good one for when you’re somewhere scenic and/or you have a cute backpack or low-back dress on. Also an amazing pose for when you don’t feel like showing your face and just want to get a cute outfit snap.

Instagram Pose 27: The Kissy Face

Want to switch things up from your usual smile? The kissy face is a great alternative that brings some sass to your photos. This pose usually looks best when your face is straight on/relatively square with the camera instead of angled.

Instagram Pose 28: Walk Across the Frame

This is a super easy thing to do — just walk to add some movement and a candid feel to your photos. If it looks too posed, just walk around for a few minutes, snap some photos, and see how you like them.

Instagram Pose 29: A Goofy Face

Have some fun with your photos by making a silly face. Not only does it once again make your photo look more candid, but you can have fun and show off your personality a little bit.

Instagram Pose 30: The Skirt Flick

Do you want to add some spice to your photos? Then just grab your skirt, pull it slightly to the side, and snap away. This is a super cute pose for short dresses and it really shows off whatever piece you’re wearing.

Instagram Pose 31: Look Out

If you ever find yourself in a situation where there’s an open balcony, then this is how to pose for photos. Pose in front of the railing (and maybe even prop your bag up so it shows), then look off to the side for a super flattering pose. You could also do this as a pose from the side profile, looking off the balcony.

Instagram Pose 32: Road Trip Vibes

If you have a great car and a scenic location, pose sitting on the hood for all of those road trip vibes. Bonus points if you pose with your BFF for this one. 

Variations on this pose include posing while leaning out the window, or posing with the drivers’ side door open, posing in front of the open door.

Instagram Pose 33: Eat Pizza

This is a funny pose that will show off your love of the best food on earth. (Fight me if you disagree!) This is a signature pose of influencer Chiara Ferragni, and it’s so cute. Chiara is also known for her “regenerating pizzas,” as seen above.

Instagram Pose 34: The Close-Up Detail Shot

You put a lot of effort into your outfit, so show off the details. Just pose showing off your jewelry, sweater, or handbag and have your photographer shoot you from up close. A super cute way to mix up your feed.

Instagram Pose 35: The Flamingo Pose

This is the perfect pose if you’re in need of some stylish and swanky photos while wearing a skirt or dress. The best part about it? It’s an amazing way to show off your shoes and make your legs look extra long. So flattering and cute!

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