We’re often told that we should love and accept our bodies as they are. But, that can be pretty difficult when all we see on social media are perfect people with flawless bodies that completely fit the beauty standard. Luckily, these influencers have found a way to be a good influence by showing both their posed shots and what they actually look like. Their message is clear — your body is fine just the way it is!
Sucked In
A wonderful Instagrammer who has decided to show the world the truth behind her beautiful photos is Bree Lenehan. The 26-year-old content creator began a series she calls “Real Me” where she shows two photos side-by-side.
In one, she showcases what her body looks like when she puts a whole lot of time and effort into contorting it into the “perfect” shape. Next to it, she shows how she looks if she actually just relaxes and allows her body to simply be.
Beautiful Marks
A long-time body-image advocate, Bree puts emphasis on showing that it’s basically impossible for our human bodies to look perfectly unblemished. Many of her photos proudly showcase the marks on her skin.
She refuses to hide any pimples, scars, or stretch marks from her large audience (over 720K followers on Instagram!). She also shows how some influencers possibly hide their own marks by strategically placing their clothes over them.
A Thumb
Bree doesn’t stop at just showing how influencers can manipulate things like angles and lighting to create a “perfect” look. She also blasts through the idea that social media stars have perfect lives.
She tries her best to show that she doesn’t always have her makeup done nor is she always dressed to the nines. Everyone has (many) days where they’re tired, hormonal, or just not feeling up to putting in all this effort to look like a model.
Lumps and Bumps
She also places a lot of emphasis on the difference posing can make. On the left, the way she’s flexing her body gives her that hourglass shape. On the right, Bree’s posture is completely relaxed.
You can just see what a massive difference it has on the shape of her bottom especially. When she relaxes, suddenly the natural bumps of her body show themselves. She reminds her followers that you shouldn’t force your body to look like a certain trend.
Going Through Changes
Bree often showcases how much her body changes throughout the day. Just living life — eating, resting, working out, or hydrating — can drastically change a person’s body shape from morning to night.
Bree’s morning versus night comparison helps her followers see that it’s okay for your body to bloat and change throughout the day as you go about your routine. We love how in both photos, she looks just as happy and comfortable.
Light it Up
One of the “tricks” that Bree has revealed to her followers is how social media models are able to make their bodies look flawless in posts — lighting, lighting, lighting.
But, of course, she’s here to remind us that whether taken in soft or harsh lighting, bumps on the skin (like cellulite on the legs), are something that basically everybody has and it’s okay to show them!
Emotions Are Okay
It’s not just our natural bodies that are hidden on social media. Learning to not compare ourselves to Instagram also means understanding that the majority of the posts we see are of people on what looks like their best days.
Many influencers choose to hide their bad days — the ones where they feel down or sad. Bree consistently takes care to point out that you should remember that nobody’s life is perfect, even if it seems like it from their posts.
Impossible Standards
Bree often points in her posts to the completely unrealistic expectations that social media makes us think we should put on our bodies. She especially looks at beauty standards that affect women.
These include unblemished skin and a whole lot of expectations surrounding women’s chests — like making sure they’re perfectly perky and even. She often reminds her followers that having asymmetry in these areas of the body is incredibly common.
Having an Influence
Clearly, her messages (and similar ones from other influencers) are having a wonderful effect on social media. Many people have begun posting similar posts in recent years. We love seeing photos of people just being themselves.
These pics definitely make Instagram a more inclusive and wholesome space — letting people feel comfortable showing off their bodies in whatever state they’re in and with whatever scars and bumps they have!
So Cute!
Sara Puhto is another wonderful Instagrammer who has taken on the issue of fake “posed” photos on social media. The 26-year-old influencer from Finland has over 413K followers and she loves reminding them that “your body isn’t a trend!”
She often shares both “Real Me” posts alongside photos and videos of her body acceptance journey — showcasing areas of her body that she used to feel uncomfortable with and normalizing just having them out there.
Lessons Learned
Sara’s posts are filled with the lessons she has learned both about her body and how to love and embrace the different parts of her. She also speaks a lot about her the supposed imperfections she used to notice in herself.
Now she spends her energy loving every inch of herself and focusing on the beauty of her personality. Because, as she says, the way her body looks is the least interesting thing about her!
Comparisons
Everyone who posts “posed vs. unposed” photos on Instagram seems dedicated to the idea that social media should be full of an accurate portrayal of bodies, allowing us to exist without constantly trying to look perfect.
They also understand that as much as we might like to never compare ourselves to others, it’s incredibly difficult not to feel inadequate when all you see on your feed are perfectly posed fake photos. It’s why all their “unposed” photos have such a positive impact on us!
Candid Camera
These influencers don’t just tear down archaic beauty standards, they also go head-to-head with influencer photo trends. Take, for example, the candid camera shot where beauty gurus on Instagram have their photos taken “without noticing.”
Yet, somehow, they still come out looking absolutely stunning and perfect. In protest, Sara posts shots of her posing for a candid photo versus actually being captured in the moment. This definitely shows how little truth there is behind some trends online.
Showing Some Skin
Not everyone has been as positive about this kind of content, though. These types of posts are often filled with mean and disapproving comments, not to mention unwarranted advice — like telling an influencer to “hit the gym” or “cover up.”
Fortunately, this only makes content creators — like everyone on this list — all the more determined to be their authentic selves online and show off the areas that make these trolls uncomfortable. It’s the perfect way to normalize having unedited photos.
AAAAND Relax
Sara began on her path to self-love and body acceptance in 2017 after realizing that she was struggling with “disordered eating and workout habits” as she was constantly seeking that perfect, unattainable shot.
Sharing these photos of herself showing the tricks to how she would get that “perfect” look has been a major part of her recovery. Her commitment to helping others going through the same process is seen every day on her profile.
Rest and Re-Set
Bree and Sara’s posts are certainly educational. But, while some have taken them as how-to manuals on getting the perfect pic of your body, the point is to normalize just showing your body exactly the way it is.
Despite that, they also never make fun of the “posed” photo. Because, while it might not be reality, it’s still their bodies — just placed in their most conventionally “attractive” and “flattering” angles.
No Edits!
What Sara, Bree, and other influencers like them are both vehemently against is editing and photoshopping their bodies for the sake of social media. They both highlight how harmful edited photos can be to a viewer’s body image.
It’s one thing to try to copy the poses our favorite influencers do. But, attempting to look like a body that has completely been enhanced by a program is futile — it’s just not real! That’s why Sara and Bree are so adamant to show their real bodies.
#BeReal
Honestly, the truth of their message becomes crystal clear when you see how much happier both Bree and Sara look in their “unposed” images when compared to their “posed” ones.
There’s something freeing about allowing your body to just exist online in its natural state without constantly having to hold things in just to get a pretty photo.
Behind the Scenes
One of the most important aspects of these body acceptance and love influencers is to remind us that life happens “behind the scenes” — life isn’t the fancy photoshoots or that perfectly curated Instagram page.
It’s all those little moments when we’re actually living our lives; enjoying time with friends and family, doing our jobs, or working on our hobbies. What we don’t actually do is constantly worry about what our bodies look like.
All About Perspective
Of course, it’s not just body angles that change the way your body looks in a posed image. Having someone who’s skilled at finding complementary locations to film from is half the “magic,” or rather, illusion. Instagram models are master photographers many times.
Unfortunately, that’s just not a skill that most people possess. But, that can be just as harmful to body image — when you think you’re doing everything right to get a “good” image but your picture just doesn’t match what a trained photographer can do.