Look Back in Red

Set up: A couch or armchair with one warm lamp off to the side; room lights down.

Wardrobe: A red lace lingerie set. (Prefer sleepwear styling? A red satin cami-and-shorts set reads the same.)

Camera: Phone on a tripod at seated height, behind and slightly to one side, portrait, so it catches the turned-away back and the face coming back over the shoulder. Self-timer or remote; expose for the lamp-lit side.

Pose: Kneel on the couch facing away, settle your hips back toward your heels, sweep your hair off your back with the near hand, then turn just your face back over the shoulder and let a soft smile land. Comfort: the over-the-shoulder look-back is one of the most universally flattering poses there is — your back does the talking and you decide exactly how much to give the camera. Fuller frame: turning the body away and looking back defines the waist and flatters the back beautifully; keep the shoulders drawn back and let the lamp rake down the spine.