Everyone has seen it, and many have suffered from it. The awkward chin.
Too high and you look snooty. Too low and you look like you are hiding behind an invisible turtleneck.
Somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot, and finding it can instantly make a portrait go from “hm, that’s… fine” to “wow, you look amazing.”
Awkward Chin Syndrome happens because most people are not used to being photographed from different angles.
In everyday life, you are not thinking about the position of your chin. Then a camera comes out, and suddenly you are either stretching your neck like a meerkat or tucking it in until your jawline disappears. Neither is flattering.
The fix is simple, and it starts with posture.
Stand tall, shoulders back, spine straight. This gives your neck room to look natural.
Then, instead of lifting your chin up or pulling it down, imagine pushing your whole face forward just a tiny bit, as if you are trying to touch your nose to an invisible point in front of you.
It will feel strange, but it subtly defines your jawline and smooths out the dreaded double chin effect without looking forced.
From there, make tiny adjustments.
Lower the chin just a fraction so your eyes meet the camera naturally. You want the chin down enough to avoid looking haughty, but not so far that your face starts folding in on itself.
A good photographer will coach you through this in real time, making micro-corrections until you hit that perfect angle.
The position of the camera matters too.
A lens pointing up at you from below will exaggerate your chin and neck, while a slightly higher angle will slim and flatter the jawline.
This is why professional photographers rarely shoot portraits from directly underneath — unless they are deliberately going for a dramatic or intimidating effect.
Lighting can help or hurt here as well.
A soft light from slightly above can create gentle shadows under the jaw, which adds definition.
Harsh light from below will do the opposite, flattening everything and emphasising what you would rather hide.
If you struggle with awkward chin photos, practise in front of a mirror.
Try small adjustments to see how each position changes the look of your face. The goal is not to hold a rigid “perfect chin” pose, but to know your best angles so you can find them naturally.
The beauty of this fix is that once you know it, you can use it anywhere.
Group photo at a wedding? Subtle chin forward. Headshot for work? Chin forward. Selfie with friends? Chin forward.
You will look sharper, more confident and less like you were caught mid-blink wondering if your neck had suddenly vanished.
If you want portraits that bring out your best angles without you having to think about them, I can help.
I work with people in Cranleigh and the Surrey Hills to capture natural, flattering images that make awkward chin syndrome a thing of the past.
Get in touch and let me find your perfect angle.
