Special Report: Picture perfect

Woman: I look heavier in photos.

Woman: I really do look 15 pounds heavier in every picture.

Woman: They should like invent something to slim you down.

And now they have! Hewlett Packard says they've developed a digital camera with a special feature that will slim you down in snapshots.

Karl Wardrop, Hewlett Packard
"So what this allows you to do is take off some of that weight."

Take a look at these examples, the person before and after the slimming process. There's a noticeable difference.

Karl Wardrop
"What it does is it actually slims the center of the photo and slightly enlarges the outside edges of the photo."

Of course you don't have to buy a special camera to get the effect. Photographer Ron Ranere from Positive Image in Boston says anyone can look thinner with a few simple steps.

First up: clothing. The right outfit can really help slim you down. Dark colors, no horizontal stripes, and V-necks over turtlenecks.

Ron Ranere, Positive Image
"You definitely don't want sleeveless tops, shoulders always make you look big."

How you stand also makes a big difference, something most people never think about.

Ron Ranere
"They stand and face you directly which makes the hips look the widest possible."

Turn your hip to the right a little bit more.

Instead, stand at an angle. If you're sitting, have them cross your legs.

Ron Ranere
"The fact that she's got her legs crossed this way is making the muscles of her legs look longer."

Have whoever is taking your picture get down on their knees or stand on a chair. This low or high perspective really helps.

Ron Ranere
"You've got that angle going with you and that makes the person look taller."

Take a look at the difference these simple tricks make for model Pam's photos.

That's a really flattering picture.

So whether you buy a new camera or just practice your photography, a little effort and creativity will soon make your friends and family picture perfect.

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)