We all know how lighting and our pose can affect how we look in photos, but now a growing number of Instagram users have showed just how deceiving social media can be by sharing their own fake "transformation" photos taken just minutes apart.
By standing differently or simply breathing in, these women showed just how easy it is to dramatically change your appearance for photos – and used their own side-by-side photos as a reminder to women not to compare themselves to others or become hung up on body image.
Among them is Milly Clark, a mum-of-one who used a pair of tights to highlight just how easy it is to give the impression of a slimmer figure and tiny waist instantly. Milly's post has attracted over 70,000 likes since it was shared on Sunday, with many social media users thanking her for her honest and unfiltered post.
"We are so blinded to what a real unposed body looks like and blinded to what beauty is that people would find me less attractive within a 5 second pose switch! How insanely ridiculous is that!?" Milly wrote. "Don't compare, just live for you. There is no one on this planet who's like you and that's pretty damn amazing don't ya think. The world doesn't need another copy, it needs you."
Other bloggers and models including Iskra Lawrence have also shared their own fake transformation photos with fans, urging women to remember that social media is no reflection on real life.
Click through to see more of the best fake transformation photos on social media…
@selfloveclubb
"Same girl, same day, same time. ? Not a before and after. Not a weight loss transformation. Not a diet company promotion. ? I am comfortable with my body in both. Neither is more or less worthy. Neither makes me more or less of a human being. Neither invites degrading comments and neither invites sleezy words. ?
"We are so blinded to what a real unposed body looks like and blinded to what beauty is that people would find me less attractive within a 5 second pose switch! How insanely ridiculous is that!? ? I love taking these, it helps my mind so much with body dysmorphia and helps me rationalise my negative thoughts. ?
"Don't compare, just live for you. There is no one on this planet who's like you and that's pretty damn amazing don't ya think. The world doesn't need another copy, it needs you. ? We are worthy, valid and powerful beyond measure ?? (If you don't pull your tights up as high as possible are you really human?)"
@annavictoria
"Me 1% of the time vs. 99% of the time. And I love both photos equally. Good or bad angles don't change your worth ❤️ I recently came across an article talking about how one woman stated she refuses to accept her flaws, because she doesn't see them as flaws at all.
"I LOVED that because it sends such a powerful message that our belly rolls, cellulite, stretch marks are nothing to apologize for, to be ashamed of, or to be obsessed with getting rid of! As I'm getting older, I have cellulite and stretch marks that aren't going away, and I welcome them. They represent a life fully lived (for 28 years so far :)) and a healthy life and body at that. How can I be mad at my body for perfectly normal "flaws"?
"This body is strong, can run miles, can lift and squat and push and pull weight around, and it's happy not just because of how it looks, but because of how it feels. So when you approach your journey, I want you to remember these things: I will not punish my body. I will fuel it. I will challenge it. AND I will love it ???."
@iskra
"No thigh gap or thigh gap who cares. We all think we want different things and we should because we are all different, there's no wrong way just be the healthiest & happiest for you. I'll be the first one to tell you pics are all about good lightening and angles.
"Always remember social medias not real life never let anyone else's pics make you feel insecure about yourself. If you don't look like her and she doesn't look like you that's how it's meant to be. You are meant to be YOU no one else, your body is your home so love and respect it. When you look after it beautiful things happens ✨ #iskralawrence#everyBODYisbeautiful."
@jamiefit_
"#transformationtuesday except PSYCH, this is not a real transformation. These two pictures were taken within seconds of each other. The fitness industry can be so deceiving and set unrealistic goals and standards.
"The left picture is relaxed, a little bloated and how I look 95% of the time. The right picture I'm flexing, sucking in, and know my angles. It's ok to not be perfectly chiseled with abs. It's ok to look like the picture in the left. It's ok for you to be you ?."
@brandyoeschger
"Don't be seduced by transformation photos. Do what makes you happy and don't put all your trust in an internet fitness coach or an insane diet that cost tons of $$................ These were actually taken 1 min apart.
"You can be a happier and healthier person as long as you are committed to your own wellness and what works for you. Don't be a follower. Don't bring yourself down on appearances. They are deceiving. I'm 5'8 and 140."
@jumpingjacksjules
"❌this is NOT a transformation photo❌ these photos were taken about 2 seconds apart in the same corner, just switched where I was in relation to the window!
" In a world where 6 packs are sought after and perfection is chased, it's important to see that while I do work extremely hard for my body on a daily basis by working out and eating well, it can look completely different in a matter of seconds. We don't all have abs 24/7 at every angle and every kind of lighting.
"Perfection does NOT EXIST. Chase happiness, health, and progress over perfection. Cheer for each other as we continue to make healthy choices and become better versions of ourselves. Love yourself day in and day out, healthy decisions and indulgences included❤"
@jessraeking
"Really wanna commend straight size models @laura.henshaw and @stephclairesmith for using their platforms to promote a positive body image to their followers. ? The girls started a hashtag #misconceptionkic to highlight how a lot of the imagery we see on Instagram is unrealistic and unattainable.
"So what is the difference between these two pics? No I didn't lose five kilos or photoshop myself- instead of standing relaxed on the left- I sucked in, pulled up my pants, pushed my hips back and stood with my legs apart to give myself a thigh gap. I even positioned my collar bone to the light to make it stick out more. Crazy. ?
"We are all guilty of taking a million photos and uploading one that highlights our supposed "best angles"- myself included. So it's just a little reminder to not base your #bodygoals on anything you see online. We will only ever see someone's highlight reel, and not the 50 pics they took to get their "best angle". Be your own #fitspo."
@valeriespagnolo
"Ok guys, look at the picture and think: how much time passed between left and right? Done? Ok, now I tell you: I took the second one something like 30 seconds after the one on the left. Maybe it's obvious, I don't know. (These photos are one year old because I found the courage to post them only now, so that's not how my body looks right now) Yes, it is a #30secondtransformation pic.
" Our body is incredibly malleable. There is no picture of it where you can say 'ok, this and only this is the aspect of my body'. You can take 1000000 completely different photos and all of them will be your body. When you see here on IG a perfect girl's account, with a perfect feed and awesomely hot poses... Do you ever ask your self 'is she ALWAYS like that?'?, or do you just cry 'she's perfect, I'll never be like that'? So many factors condition a body pic. Starting with the pose and the light.
"So, to all the girls who write me privately 'you have my dream body', 'I wanna look like you', 'you are perfect', etc. Seriously, don't. Don't, because 'till now I've shown you only some of the thousands ways to see my body. The best ways of course. Because I wanted to show you nice things (same with food, but we'll talk about this another time). Here are two other ways to see it. Both true. Hope you appreciate my honesty, it hasn't really been the easiest thing to me, but I'm very very happy I'm doing this. ?❤"