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Stop flexing.
Let the photo do the work.

Pull up the shorts. Relax the clenched poses. Wear a shirt whose buttons can survive the evening. Keep boxing, graduation, and public speaking in the profile. Show your face and let those moments carry the photo.

What’s wrong

Stop holding that smile hostage.

Keep the black knit and clear framing. Release the tight mouth; this portrait does not need a tougher pose.

Edited photo 1 of Jake
Original photo 1 of Jake
The fix

Relax your mouth. Keep the outfit.

Let the smile happen without clenching. Tidy the hair and leave the simple black-and-white outfit alone.

What’s wrong

Pull up the shorts. Drop the mirror flex.

Stop dragging the waistband down and tensing every muscle for a mirror. The pose is doing far too much.

Edited photo 2 of Jake
Original photo 2 of Jake
The fix

Unclench. Take it outside.

Raise the waistband and relax your shoulders. Next time, use a beach or pool photo where being shirtless makes sense.

What’s wrong

Stop posing like the ceremony is a mugshot.

Keep the graduation and the friend. Relax the tight expression on the right; you already have a reason to smile.

Edited photo 4 of Jake
Original photo 4 of Jake
The fix

Drop your shoulders. Smile at your friend.

Keep the gown and the occasion. Take the photo between formal poses, with a relaxed mouth and an easy stance.

What’s wrong

Stop making the buttons fight for their lives.

Give that shirt some room. The pulling across the chest and sleeves turns the speech photo into a fit problem.

Edited photo 5 of Jake
Original photo 5 of Jake
The fix

Size up the shirt. Loosen your grip.

Choose a shirt that closes without pulling. Relax your hands around the microphone and use a frame between words.

What to keep

Keep boxing. Show more of you.

Keep boxing in the profile. Pick a shot where the headgear does not swallow the person we are meant to meet. Give women a glimpse of your warmth and who you are outside the fight.

Original photo 3 of Jake
Next time

Smile after the final bell.

Ask a friend to catch you smiling after the competition, gloves off and face visible. Include a teammate if it feels natural. Show the relief, the pride, and the people around you.

u/Sunbaked_Jalapeno

Shirtless pics are a win, flexing ones not so much. Hot tub and swim shorts, hiking, etc. You dont need to flex for the ladies just be shirtless they can see your fit

u/struanrobinson · excerpt

Also, I think the pics showing he’s educated + confident enough to do public speaking are things both sexes could appreciate.

u/kazai00

Great first pic, very cool third pic. Fourth fine. shirtless mirror has to go. Last picture looks awkward/candid but up to you.