With the onset of phone photography, the ancient art of the self-portrait became known as the selfie. And while there are a million different reactions to even the concept of the selfie, the truth is that taking selfies can be a great exercise in both self-discovery and honing your photography skills.
Really.
But just like any art, it’s not always as easy as it looks. Here are six selfie tips I keep in mind whenever the situation calls for a stellar selfie:
1. Clean Your Lens
Your phone tends to live right next to your fingerprints all day, every day. Clean off your front and rear cameras with a soft cloth before your selfie shoot to keep things clean and clear. Every single time!
2. Find Your Light
Or your shadows, if you’re looking to do some moody selfies. Reflection and direction of light can really direct the vibe of your selfie, so if you’re looking for a natural glow, go outside or to a window to see what the sun is up to. Play around with mirrors and wall textures until you find the spot that’s right for you.
3. Try a Different Angle
Yes, those downward angles for selfies can be a bit of a cliche, but they definitely have an effect on faces and bodies. What does your angle say about your audience? And about yourself? Are you giving it to us straight-on, or are we in a different corner of the room, looking from a distance.
4. Talk to Yourself Like a Friend
While it’s always important to have a critical eye for the “visual” part of “visual storytelling,” the story we tell about ourselves is often a different tone than the ones we tell about our loved ones. Would you say negative things about a friend’s looks when capturing their essence in a photograph? Of course not!
5. Be Generous
And not just with self-confidence, though you should be generous with that, too. One of the best phone photography tips out there is to take many, many pictures until you find one that works for you. Just like any art, this takes practice.