13 Clichéd Photo Poses You're Totally Guilty of Doing

Looking cute in a photo can be tough.

Sometimes, the waiter taking a picture of your birthday dinner is standing so close that you know you're about to look like a giantess. Or maybe you're stranded without a drink to hold onto, no pockets and no idea where to put your arms.

When faced with such obstacles, most of us think fast and pull out one of the old standbys. Sure, they're a little cliché. But when properly employed, they can look pretty darn good.

Here's a roundup of the photo poses you're totally guilty of falling back on.

1. The Skinny Arm

Image courtesy of Cat Rivera

We'll start with the basics. Once you get going with this optical illusion trick, it's not an easy habit to break. You have to admit, those arms look pretty phenomenal.

2. The "Candid"

Image courtesy of Facebook, Allison Reiber

Oh, is that a camera? LOOK HOW MUCH FUN WE'RE HAVING! Perfect for Facebook cover photos and framing for your living room.

3. The Mirror Selfie

Image courtesy of Facebook, Katy Haas

Driving iPhone case sales since 2012. Bonus points for a bathroom mirror shot.

4. The Eskimo Kiss

Image courtesy of Facebook, Julie Anson

Simply adorbs. Perfect for big and little sister moments, both biological and sorority.

5. The Awkward Hug

Image courtesy of Facebook, Elysia Botley

Sure, it may look a little forced, but the love is there.

6. The Knee Pop

Image courtesy of Facebook, Nicole Williams

Great for slimming and elongating those stems. And if it works for Angelina Jolie, it's good enough for us.

7. The Sorority Squat

Image courtesy of Facebook, Hannah Paulsen

Adds dimension to a group shot and makes you look like one big happy Brady Bunch press photo.

8. The Ankle Cross

Image courtesy of Taryn Antoniou, Life of a Paper Doll

Elongate your legs and make your governess proud at the same time.

9. The Party Arms

Image by Flickr, caesarsebastian

If you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the "WOOOO!"

10. The Thirsty

Image courtesy of Arielle Jordan, Little Mermaid at Sea

Because drinking from a straw makes the kissy face acceptable.

11. The Front-Facing Camera Selfie

Image courtesy of Facebook, Lena Lobel

Perfect for optimizing your best angles and taking 25 in one sitting so you can be sure you have a winner.

12. The Bro

Image courtesy of Facebook, Emmalaine Leibman

Fellas, you're not off the hook here. Take a deep breath, puff up that chest and make a face like you just shoplifted a chain necklace from Macy's.

13. The Duck Face (Duh)

Image courtesy of Reddit, watchesyousleep

Quack.

Homepage image via iStockphoto, Christopher Ames