In today‘s social media-driven world, knowing how to take a great selfie is practically a life skill. Whether you‘re an aspiring influencer, building your personal brand, or just sharing snapshots with friends, the quality and creativity of your Instagram photos can make a big impact.
But taking Insta-worthy pictures of yourself isn‘t always easy. How do you get the right angle, the perfect lighting, and strike a pose that looks natural yet flattering?
Never fear – we‘ve put together the ultimate guide on how to up your selfie game and start capturing photos you‘ll be excited to post. Grab your phone, find some good light, and let‘s dive in!
1. Know Your Camera and Settings
The first step to any good photo is knowing how to use your camera. Luckily, today‘s smartphones are equipped with some pretty powerful cameras and settings that give you a lot of control.
For the best selfies, try using your phone‘s front-facing camera in Portrait mode if it has one. This will automatically adjust the focus and depth of field for a professional-looking shot.
Under your camera‘s settings, look for an option called Pro mode or Manual mode. This will give you more granular control over settings like:
- ISO: Adjusts the camera‘s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO is better for bright settings; higher is better for low light.
- White balance: Adjusts the "temperature" of the photo to compensate for different light sources (sunlight vs indoor lighting, for example).
- Exposure: Determines how light or dark the overall image is. Play with this setting to get the perfect brightness.
- Saturation, contrast, etc.: Other controls to fine-tune the color and punch of your photo.
Spend some time experimenting with these manual settings to get a feel for how they impact your photos. Soon you‘ll be shooting on Pro mode like…well, a pro!
2. Find That Golden Light
Now that your camera is dialed in, the next essential ingredient for a perfect selfie is good lighting. And when it comes to lighting, natural is almost always best.
Aim to take your photos near a window for that soft, diffused daylight. Turning towards the window will illuminate your face beautifully and bring out your features. You can also try taking your selfie outdoors, either in open shade or during the "golden hours" just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is especially warm and flattering.
Avoid taking selfies in harsh midday sun, as this can cast unflattering shadows and make you squint. Similarly, be wary of strong overhead lighting (like fluorescent office lights), which can highlight imperfections and make your complexion look sallow.
And please, resist the urge to use your camera‘s flash! Not only will it wash you out, but it can also create a stark, deer-in-headlights look. Stick to that beautiful natural light for a soft, glowing complexion.
3. Strike a Pose
You‘ve got your camera settings perfected and found yourself some nice light…now what do you actually do in front of the camera? Posing for a selfie can feel awkward, but there are some go-to moves you can try to put yourself at ease and get a natural, flattering shot.
Here are some classic selfie poses to try:
-
The slight turn. Instead of facing the camera head-on, angle your body slightly to one side and turn your head towards the camera. This is an easy way to add some dimension to your photo.
-
The over-the-shoulder glance. Popularized by fashion bloggers, this pose has you turning your back to the camera and glancing back over your shoulder. It‘s a little flirty and mysterious. Pair it with a slight smile or a more serious gaze.
-
The prop shot. Have a cute new mug or a pretty bunch of flowers? Hold it up near your face for a playful addition to your selfie. Bonus: it also gives your hands something to do!
-
The laugh. Nothing makes a photo feel more genuine than a real smile or laugh. Think of something funny and let yourself giggle for a quick burst of photos. Chances are you‘ll capture a frame with a natural, joyful expression.
-
The stare-off. For a more intense, high-fashion vibe, try staring straight into the lens with a serious expression. Tilt your chin down slightly and consider parting your lips just a bit for a sultry look.
The most important thing is to take a ton of photos and experiment with different angles. Tilt your chin up and down, look off to the side, try a big smile and a more subdued one. Digital photos are free, so go ahead and fill up your camera roll! You can always delete the ones you don‘t like later.
4. Refine Your Composition
You might not think of selfies as high art, but a few photography composition techniques can go a long way to elevating your Insta snaps.
One classic composition principle is the rule of thirds. Imagine your frame divided into a 3×3 grid. The idea is to place key elements of your photo along those lines or at the intersections. For selfies, try to align your eyes along the top grid line to draw focus to your face.
Spend a moment considering what‘s in the background of your photo as well. A beautiful wall, an interesting architectural element, or some leafy greenery can all make for a great backdrop. Try to avoid a cluttered or distracting background that will pull focus from you.
5. Add Some Extra Flair
Once you‘ve mastered the basic selfie techniques, it‘s time for some bonus tips to make your photos stand out from the crowd!
-
Use a self-timer or interval timer. For selfies that don‘t actually look like selfies, prop up your phone and use the self-timer function. This frees up your hands and allows you to pose more naturally.
-
Invest in a tripod. To really up your selfie setup, get a small tripod and phone mount. This will allow you to stabilize your phone for crisper shots and get even more creative with your angles and poses.
-
Play with Instagram features. Once you‘ve selected the perfect photo, have fun with Instagram‘s built-in editing tools. Experiment with filters to change the mood, add stickers or doodles, and play with the color and brightness to make your photo pop.
-
Use props and accessories. In addition to everyday objects, accessories like sunglasses, hats, or bold jewelry can add some extra visual interest to your selfies. Have fun coordinating your accessories to your outfit or the vibe you want to capture.
A Few Things to Avoid
We‘ve covered a lot about what you should do…but there are a few things to steer clear of for tasteful, Insta-worthy selfies:
-
Skip the public bathroom selfie. Bathroom lighting is notoriously unflattering, and a toilet in the background isn‘t the cute look you‘re going for.
-
Avoid nudity or overly provocative poses. Keep it classy and PG to avoid awkwardness or getting reported on the app.
-
Don‘t take selfies in inappropriate places. Put the phone away at funerals, in work meetings, or in other places where a selfie would be disruptive or disrespectful.
-
Never put yourself in an unsafe situation. No photo is worth risking your wellbeing, so avoid things like taking selfies while driving, trespassing, or doing anything illegal or dangerous.
Posting Your Perfect Selfie
You‘ve experimented with lighting, tried out different poses, and even added some fun accessories. At this point, you should have a camera roll filled with selfie options to choose from!
Flip through and pick your favorite shots to edit and post. If you can‘t decide, ask a trusted friend for their input or even post a carousel of a few different options. Remember, you can always archive or delete posts later if you change your mind.
When writing your caption, think about the story you want your selfie to tell. Are you capturing a specific moment or feeling? Trying to inspire or uplift others? Let your personality shine through in your words as well as your photo.
Finally, hit that Share button and your selfie masterpiece will be out in the world! Take a moment to feel proud of your hard work and creativity.
Above All, Have Fun!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you‘re having fun expressing yourself and sharing your unique perspective with the world. There‘s no one "right" way to take a selfie, so use these tips as a starting point and then let your own style and personality take it from there.
Remember, your Instagram account is a reflection of you, and you are so much more than just your appearance. For every pretty posed selfie, consider posting a goofy candid shot, an inspiring quote, or a photo of something meaningful to you. The most engaging accounts strike a balance of aesthetics and authenticity.
So go forth and selfie with confidence! Experiment, make mistakes, and keep learning and growing both your photography skills and your sense of self. We‘ll be double-tapping along the way.
