It’s often said that we should accept and love our bodies for what they are. It can be challenging to do this when we only see perfect bodies and flawless skin on social media. These influencers are able to show their real bodies Vs. their posed photos. They are clear in their message: Your body is perfect just as it is!
Sucked In
Bree Lenehan is an amazing Instagrammer who decided to share the truth behind her stunning photos with the world. Bree, a 26-year-old content creator, started a series called “Real Me,” in which she showed two photos side by side.
One shows how her body looks when she spends a lot of effort to get it in the perfect shape. She also shows how her body looks when she just relaxes and lets her body be.
Beautiful Marks
Bree is a long-standing advocate for body image. She emphasizes that it’s practically impossible for human bodies to appear perfect. Many of her photos show the marks she has on her skin.
She doesn’t hide her scars or pimples from her huge audience of over 720K Instagram followers! She also shows how influencers can hide their marks by strategically placing their clothes above them.
A Thumb
Bree goes beyond showing how influencers can create the perfect look by manipulating lighting and angles. Bree also screams at the notion that social media stars live perfect lives.
She does her best to show that her makeup is not always perfected and she’s not always dressed up to the nines. Everybody has days when they are tired, hormonal, or simply not up for the effort of looking like a model.
Bumps and Lumps
She also emphasizes the importance of posing and what difference it can make. The way she flexes her body to the left gives her an hourglass shape. Bree is relaxed in her posture on the right.
It is obvious how much it makes a difference in her bottom shape. She notices the natural bumps in her body when she relaxes. She reminds her followers not to force their bodies into following a particular trend.
Making Changes
Bree frequently shows how her body changes over the course of a day. Simply living your life, whether you eat, exercise, or hydrate, can dramatically alter your body’s shape from morning to evening.
Bree’s morning and night comparison helps her fans see that it’s OK for your body to change as you go through your day. We love that she appears happy and relaxed in both of the photos.
It’s Time to Light It Up
Bree revealed one of her “tricks” to her followers: how social media models can make their bodies appear flawless in posts – lighting and more lighting.
She reminds us, however, that bumps on our skin, like cellulite, can be visible in both soft and harsh lighting. Everybody has them.
Emotions are OK
Social media is not only about our natural bodies. It is important to realize that Instagram posts are often of people at their best.
Many influencers hide their down days, the times when they feel sad or depressed. Bree insists on the fact that no one’s life is perfect, even though it may seem that way in their posts.
Impossible Standards
Bree frequently points out in her posts the unrealistic expectations social media has placed on women. She is mainly concerned with beauty standards that impact women.
These expectations include flawless skin and high standards for women’s chests, such as being perfectly shaped and even. These areas are very common, she reminds her followers.
Influence
Evidently, her messages and similar ones from other influencers have an amazing effect on social media. In recent years, many people have started posting similar posts. We love photos of people being themselves.
These photos make Instagram more inclusive and wholesome – people can show off their bodies with all kinds of scars and bumps!
Every Body
Although it may seem like only certain body types are being included in this trend, Instagrammers from all walks of life have posted their #PosedvsUnposed photos online. This trend is made possible by the honesty and sincerity displayed by everyone participating.
We now have many photos of people displaying their bodies and calling out society’s beauty standards. These ideas are truly inspirational.
Stay Active
One community on social media was responsible for making people believe their bodies should be perfect. It was the fitness influencers. Many of these people were also the first to upload these “unposed” photos.
This is also why many of these comparison photos (taken by Bree and many others) feature active wear. They show that it’s possible to stay healthy and active without achieving perfect abs.
Let’s Talk Cellulite
Cellulite “banned” is a result of unrealistic beauty standards that insist on flawless skin. Many women have gone to great lengths to remove these blemishes.
The truth is that for most of us, some dimpling around the legs, hips, and bottoms is normal and something to be encouraged. You should remember that most people who appear flawless on social media hide their cellulite with light.
Free the Tummy
People who are on a journey to body positivity have found inspiration in this amazing influencer trend. It has been great in reminding us that we can love shapewear.
It’s important to remember that our bodies, especially our bellies, should be relaxed. There’s nothing wrong with showing off a little bit of your stomach!
Slouching is OK
Bree doesn’t just share photos with followers. Her posts often include inspirational quotes and words to help us feel better about our bodies. Bree reminds us to be kind to our own selves in a recent blog post.
She also asked the crucial question: “The ideal body shape over the years is constantly changing.” She demonstrates that it is better to embrace your body than try to make it fit.
Think Twice
Bree and other influencers often highlight the number of photos they take during a photoshoot, even though they only post one pic. This means they have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos to choose from.
This is partly why influencers’ images look so great – they choose the best image that perfectly fits their vision of what they want the image to look like. It’s great to see people share their “flawed” photos too.
Staying Strong
These photos are a reminder to most people that it is impossible to look perfect.
Our body’s shape and potential for change are influenced by our genetics, our mental and physical health, and our diet. There’s no reason to compare ourselves with someone whose body factors may differ entirely from ours.
Happiness Comes From Within
This trend shows that happiness does not depend on how your body looks on Instagram. Many of the trend’s followers look equally happy in both images!
You’ll find that you are less preoccupied with achieving that perfect body. This will allow you to spend more time doing things you enjoy and have a greater source of happiness.
The Influencer’s Reality
The influencer, known for her beauty and style advice, shared a powerful split photo on her Instagram feed, revealing the stark 2 “unposed” pictures of herself. In one image, she poses in a swimsuit, her body angled in the most flattering way possible, the sunlight strategically hitting her in all the right places, but still, there are no filters. Conversely, the second photo also candidly presents her without filters or poses. She stands, her legs not twisted to create an illusion of elongated lines but natural and relaxed.
This picture isn’t captured under optimal lighting conditions or manipulated with editing tools, but rather, it is a snapshot of her genuine self, free from societal beauty expectations. This bold move sends a powerful message to her followers and the wider online community: the content we see online should not be used as a benchmark for our own worth or beauty. The influencer encourages her audience to embrace their individuality and self-worth, despite the highly polished images that flood their social media feeds.
It’s So Cute!
Sara Puhto, another excellent Instagrammer, has tackled the problem of fake “posed photos” on social media. Finland’s 26-year-old influencer has more than 413K followers. She loves reminding people that “your body doesn’t have to be a trend!”
She shares “Real Me” posts, photos, and videos from her body acceptance journey. This allows her to show areas of her body she was uncomfortable with and then normalize them.
Lessons Learned
Sara’s posts contain many lessons about her body and how to love and accept all parts of herself. She also talks a lot about herself and the imperfections she used to see in her body.
She now spends her energy loving each and every part of herself and focusing on her beauty. She says that her body is the most interesting part of her.
Comparisons
Everybody who posts Instagram photos of “posed vs. unposed” seems to be committed to the idea of social media being full of accurate representations of bodies. This allows us to live without trying to look perfect.
They understand that even though we may try to be kind to ourselves, it can be tough not to feel insecure when you only see perfectly posed fake photos on our social media feeds. We are so grateful for all of their “unposed” photos!
Candid Camera
These influencers aren’t content to discredit archaic beauty standards. They also challenge influencers on photo trends. For example, take the candid camera shot in which beauty gurus from Instagram had their photos taken “without them noticing.”
They still look stunning and perfect. Sara posts photos of herself posing candidly rather than being actually captured at the moment. This shows just how distorted some online trends can be.
Showing some skin
However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about this type of content. These posts often contain negative and demeaning comments. Unwarranted advice is also common, such as telling influencers to “hit the gym” or “cover up.”
This only makes content creators, like everyone else on this list, more determined to be authentic online and expose the parts that make these trolls uncomfortable. This is a great way to accept photos that have not been edited.
And… Relax
After realizing she was having trouble with her eating and exercise habits, Sara started on her journey to self-love in 2017.
These photos show her demonstrating how to get the “perfect” look. This was a big part of her recovery. You can see every day her commitment to helping others who are going through the same thing.
It’s Not Just For Women
Beauty standards for women are more difficult than ever, with more impossible unwritten rules added daily. However, men can be hurt by pretending to have a perfect bodies on social media.
Some male influencers have taken the initiative to post their “posed vs. unposed” Instagram photos, showing that not everyone has perfect abs.
No More Editing
They are showing men that it is OK to be themselves and not have to edit every photo to make them look like bodybuilders in a superhero movie. They remind us that Chris Hemsworth and others like him have a whole team of people to make them look good on the screen.
Hemsworth must fast for days after all the dieting and exercise before he is allowed to be filmed without a shirt. He still has to be edited, so he looks a certain way.
Everybody Is a Bikini Body
Instagram will have you believe that you can only wear a normal bathing suit (the beloved Bikini) if your body looks very particular. This usually means a perfect hourglass figure, abs, and a wide thigh gap.
Thanks to body acceptance advocates (including Sara and Bree), our feed is changing to show people of all body types wearing this beach-ready outfit whenever they want to enjoy the sun and surf.
Makeup vs. Filters
However, body acceptance does not mean that these influencers have abandoned their collection of makeup and shapewear. They are open about their makeup and what they use.
They won’t show a full face of makeup as a “natural look,” even if they edit their photos next to it. For comparison, they will post an unaltered photo. It’s essential, to be honest!
The Mirror Is Lying
Many of us find ourselves in front of a mirror every day because fashion trends change so rapidly on social media. Many feel self-conscious and uncomfortable because they don’t look like their idols on social media.
Bree discovered that many factors could affect our body image when we view a mirror in a fitting room, including the available space, the lighting’s harshness or softness, and the mirror itself. Mirrors can be made to change the body shape and make it slimmer.
So Much to Think About
Bree’s “posed vs. unposed” photos and her “real you” hashtag are a reminder that it is futile to compare ourselves with the images online.
Because she has proven time and again that models on social media are skilled at taking photos that flatter their bodies. These photos are also posted with many edits.
Rest and Reset
The posts by Sara and Bree are very educational. Although some may view them as guides on how to get the perfect photo of your body, the point of the posts is to normalize showing your body the way it is.
They don’t make fun of “posed” photos. It’s their bodies, even though it may not be real, just put in the most flattering and conventionally “attractive” angles.
There Are No Edits
Sara, Bree, and other influencers are strongly against editing and photoshopping people’s bodies for social media. Both of them highlight the dangers that edited photos can have on a viewer’s body image.
It’s one thing trying to replicate the looks of your favorite influencers. Trying to look like someone who has had their body remodeled by a program is futile. Sara and Bree insist on showing their actual bodies.
#BeReal
You can see the truth in their message when Sara and Bree look happier in their “unposed” as opposed to their “posed” images.
It’s liberating to let your body be online, in its natural state, without editing it to make a photo.
Behind the Scenes
These body acceptance and love advocates remind us that we live “behind the scenes.” Life isn’t all glamorous photoshoots and perfectly curated Instagram pages.
It’s those small moments when we are actually living our lives, spending time with our families, working at our jobs, or enjoying our social life. We don’t worry so much about our bodies.
All About Perspective
It’s not only body angles that can change how your body appears in a posed photo. Half the magic, or illusion, is having someone skilled in finding complementary locations to film from. Many Instagram models have been praised as master photographers.
Unfortunately, this skill is not something most people have. This can also be detrimental to your body image.
It’s in the Apps
Both Sara and Bree often show how easy it is to be fooled by edited photographs nowadays. With their intelligent algorithms, apps can make the fakest filters appear completely real.
Obviously, if we believe a fake photo is real and try to compare ourselves with it, we will not measure up, no matter how hard we try.
Filtered Reality
Filtered photos can distort reality in subtle ways. This is one of the dangers. Unfortunately, we often don’t know if a particular image has been altered.
This is especially true when the changes are subtle, such as blurring natural lines or erasing blemishes. It’s essential to be aware that these changes are not real.
Our Bodies Are Not a Trend
Bree and other activists like Sara believe it is important to remember that our bodies are not designed to follow any fashion trend. Fashion trends and beauty standards change all the time.
It is not our job to try and make our bodies conform to these standards. Instead, we should be able to live our lives to their fullest and most fulfilling and allow our unique beauty to shine through.
Flexibility
Bree’s main message was that you should not compare yourself with anyone, especially regarding photos on social media. You can’t know how much of what is real until you try.
She proves it with her “Real Me” photos. It shows that, despite knowing all the tricks and tips to make her body look specific ways, she still allows herself to be her authentic self online.
Happy Belly
Bree writes about her past struggles with body image and how she tried to hide her naturally bloated stomach by wearing slimming clothes and angling her body in specific photos.
She tries to show others that not having a flat stomach in every pose is natural and beautiful. You can see her relaxed belly on Instagram.
Natural Is the New Black
Many of these photos prove that you can be something other than a model on Instagram. You can make any angle or outfit look great.
These comparison photos prove that it is perfectly acceptable to relax your stomach and allow yourself to pose naturally without making it appear slimmer. Let’s just say she looks fantastic in both of these photos.