Guides · Last reviewed 2026-11-13
How to take posture photos you can compare over time
Posture photos only help if they're taken the same way every time. Fix the distance, the camera height, the light and the way you stand, and you'll be able to compare them month to month. Photos can't measure a curve, though: only an X-ray can do that.
Set up once
- Mark two spots on the floor with tape: one for your feet, one for the camera, about 2.5 to 3 metres apart.
- Put the camera at about chest height, upright and level. A tripod or a pile of books works.
- Stand in front of a plain wall, with even light from the front and no bright window behind you.
- Take photos at the same time of day. Posture can look different after a long day.
What to wear and how to stand
- Wear a fitted top or a sports bra, and tie long hair up so your neck and shoulders show.
- Stand barefoot with your feet hip-width apart on your marks and your arms relaxed by your sides.
- Look straight ahead, breathe out normally and stand the way you usually do. Don't pose.
Which photos to take
Take one each from the back, the front and both sides. If you like, add one from behind while you bend forward. Use the self-timer or ask a helper, take two or three of each, and keep the clearest.
Comparing them
Put photos from different months side by side at the same size, lined up by your feet. Look for trends over several months rather than changes from day to day: small differences between photos are often down to stance, breathing or the camera. If something seems to be changing, show your doctor, who can decide whether you need an X-ray.
Keep them private
Store posture photos somewhere only you can open, and think twice before uploading them to apps or services you don't trust. Zixu's photo comparison works the same way as this guide: same angle, same set-up, side by side.