Selfies have become one of the most common forms of social media and are used for everything from personal updates to self-portraits to pictures of friends and family.
We’re often told we should ‘get better’ at our selfies, but the problem with most of us is that the picture is taken with the phone held out in front of us, which makes it difficult to create a flattering portrait.
Luckily there are plenty of ways to take great selfies. Whether you’re in a public place or your bedroom, follow these tips for a flattering selfie.
Best Tips to Take Great Selfies for Your Social Media Profiles
Start by choosing the best angle to take your picture.
The trick here is to start the snap on a tripod (if you have one) or steady your phone on a flat surface. By using a tripod, you can ensure that your camera is level and will allow you to focus on a particular subject.
Learn the basics.
To take a good selfie, learn the basics first. The most important thing is to use a camera with a flash, preferably on your phone rather than a DSLR or mirrorless camera. There are a few tricks that you can play to get great results. When taking photos, always make sure you have a clear view of the subject. If you can’t see the whole of your face, don’t include part of your body. Try to take photos from angles that show off your features, such as close ups of your eyes, mouth or cheekbones.
Focus on a single focal point.
If you take the photo with your main subject close to the center of the frame, you can capture a more detailed image. The background will appear softer, making your subject stand out and come alive.
Choose the right lighting.
In order to take a good selfie, you need to know how to use the light to your advantage. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid taking pictures in direct sunlight. It’s likely to blur the background, but will also wash out your subject. Instead, choose a location that has a nice balance of natural light and artificial illumination.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Before you decide to snap a photo, make sure you know where you are. Avoid taking photos in places that are unfamiliar to you, such as your front yard or your kitchen.
Keep your hands still.
The last thing you want is a shaky hand or arm, as it will show up in your picture. If you don’t want to freeze, try taking your time and don’t move your arms or hands around.
Get creative with your poses.
The best selfies feature subjects in interesting and engaging positions. Try having them pose as if they’re in the middle of a performance. If you have a friend, ask them to help out.
Take selfies in interesting places.
Don’t take selfies in the same place all the time. Instead, take selfies in interesting places, with different backgrounds. Try a new location each time, even if you think you’ve taken a great selfie in the past.
Choose your position carefully.
It’s often a good idea to sit somewhere in the shade to help lighten the shadow under your chin. Alternatively, place the camera on a flat surface or lay it down on a table. You may need to move a little depending on the angle you are photographing from. If you’re in the middle of a group, choose a quiet part of the party where you won’t be disturbed.
Try different angles.
If you are holding the phone out in front of you, it’s important that you can see the whole of the person you’re taking the photo of. A great way to do this is to put the phone on your lap, which will ensure that your subject fills the frame. When you’re aiming for the perfect selfie, try tilting your phone slightly to one side or the other to take a variety of angles.
Take a selfie.
To get the best possible photo, hold the phone in your left hand and use your right hand to take a quick snap.
Hold the phone steady.
Once you’ve snapped a few photos, switch hands and shoot in the same way.
Take the photo in a place that tells a story.
Use a photo location that tells a story to you. When you take the picture, you will not only capture beautiful moments, but the location will also tell the story of your holiday.
Pick a subject that tells the story of you.
Think about the image you want to project, then choose a subject that tells the story of you. Think about what you like about yourself, what your interests are, and what you are good at. This could be something you like about yourself, such as your smile, a favorite activity or hobby, or perhaps a skill you are particularly proud of. A photograph of your favorite hobby or skill will show others who you are and what you like.
Wear clothes that suit the picture.
Think about what you are wearing in the photo. Are you in casual or formal clothes? What color is the background of the photo? If you are in a white background, wear something bright, like a colorful shirt, or if you are in a dark background, wear something light, like a light-colored blazer or shirt.
Add a personal touch.
If you’re not happy with the photo, don’t delete it. Take a few seconds to add a personal touch to the photo. Add a handwritten note, or maybe a special decoration. A flower, a ribbon, or a scarf can make your photo stand out.
Get a good background.
Try to take a selfie against a neutral background, such as a plain wall or a white piece of paper. You may also like to try using a plain sheet of white paper with a black background. This will make your skin look much whiter and your features stand out more.
Don’t try too hard.
Make sure that you smile naturally and focus on being happy in the photo. Try to relax and enjoy the experience. Don’t try too hard to take the perfect selfie. Instead, take lots of photos, and just pick the best ones.
Be creative.
It can be fun to use a new app to experiment with selfies. Take photos in the morning, evening and at different times of day, to get different lighting. Try using different filters to make the pictures look more interesting. Experiment with different angles too.
Use a timer.
A good way to take great selfies is to use a timer to help you stay in the right position. There are a number of apps that you can download to your phone, including Camera+ and PhotoPills, which can help you get the best angle and the best lighting.
Look at the photo afterwards.
When you’ve taken a picture, look at it on your smartphone. This will allow you to get an idea of whether it looks good or not.
Take note of the settings.
If you’re using a DSLR, the manual setting will give you more control over the exposure and the focus. You can also set the camera to shoot in burst mode, which will allow you to take multiple photos in rapid succession.
Tell a story.
Share your photo on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and write a short caption telling your friends or followers why you chose this particular photo.