Self portraits can be a little intimidating, especially if you need to get a new photo for a certain occasion or deadline. Over the years, I've taken hundreds of self portraits (yikes!) for blog posts, craft projects and to entertain myself, of course! When you don't have a camera savvy friend available it can be fun to take your own portraits. Here are five easy tips for getting the best photos you can...
The first thing most people try when taking self portraits is a photo at arms length. This is when you hold the camera out as far as you can and try to snap a photo of yourself without looking into the viewfinder. These photos sometimes have an awkward looking arm (the one holding the camera out) and or unflattering on-camera flash because they are taken so close to the face. When taking arms length photos I usually use my wide angle lens (see my complete camera/lens list here). Since a wide angle tends to distort the outer edges of the frame I usually crop the photo quite a bit.
Remember, one of the best things about taking self portraits is that you can look at what you have and take more if you want to. Check the angle and lighting and find the most flattering position. I like to sit facing a window when I take photos (with the flash turned off). window light can be really nice on the skin.
Reflective self portraits are really fun to take. Most of the photos I chose for this post were taken in a mirror. Here are my tricks... Look into the mirror at your camera lens and you'll appear to be looking at the camera in your photo (never look at yourself in the mirrow when taking a photo). Turn the flash off (I almost never use my flash). Try a lot of different angles. You can hold the camera really low or high so that it isn't seen in your photo. I always take a deep breath before firing the camera so that I can hold it as still as possible. Reflective photos can be lots of fun! Be sure to try different rooms in your home to find the best lighting.
Contrary to what some people say, a downward angle isn't the only flattering way to photograph yourself. I actually don't really like being photographed from above. As I experimented with my self portraits I learned that I like to be photographed straight ahead or slightly from below. I am comfortable with my profile so I like photos where my face is slightly angled better than facing forward. Try some different angles and figure out what you feel most comfortable with. There's no right or wrong angle since every face is so different. Find what works best for you!
A couple years ago I tried to do the 365 self portrait challenge where you take one every day for a year. It was super fun at first and I learned a lot. But after the first month I started to get really bored with doing the same thing every day. It's easy to fall into patterns and stick within your personal comfort zone. Try challenging youself to experiment with something brand new. It can be lighting, styling, posing or location, just to name a few. Try something you've never tried before!
Self portraits can be so much more than a flattering or pretty photo. They can tell a little story! You can capture memories by creating a series of self portraits about your everyday life, your personality or your quirks. Think about the things that make your life unique that never get captured in photos. It's easy to overlook everyday things, but try incorporating them into your next self portrait!
Have fun playing around! I hope this post has been helpful and encouraging. XO. Elsie
great - thx!
Posted by: Cindy Fahrbach | August 10, 2011 at 01:57 AM
Amazing, wonderful tips! You're right about falling into patterns, I tend to keep taking the poses that I've learned flatter me. I should try different things instead of the same poses and angles over and over again.
Thanks Elsie!
Aoife x
http://aoife-blake.com
Posted by: Aoife Blake | August 10, 2011 at 01:57 AM
Gorgeous photos! Self portraits can be even more awkward with cameras our size! Thanks Elsie :)
Posted by: Ivory | August 10, 2011 at 02:12 AM
Great tips!
Kisses from Hong Kong,
Nicole
Posted by: Nicole | August 10, 2011 at 02:14 AM
LOVE!
xo.
http://dropsofjupiterBLOG.com
Posted by: tiffany. | August 10, 2011 at 02:17 AM
you're always so helpful! will definitely keep these tips in mind :)
Posted by: Kimmie | August 10, 2011 at 02:20 AM
Thank you Elsie,
I LOVE when you do awesome practical advice posts like this!
I look forward to trying some of these tips.
Posted by: Jessica | August 10, 2011 at 02:23 AM
Thank you Elsie!
Posted by: Stefanie | August 10, 2011 at 02:24 AM
I'd love to see that 365 self portrait challenge you did! is it somewhere online? :)
+ thanks for the tips.
Posted by: Marlou | August 10, 2011 at 02:27 AM
Oh Elsie. You make me smile EVERY single time :)
Thank you for the tips!
--S.S.
Posted by: Sara Sophia | August 10, 2011 at 02:30 AM
One of my favorite post!
Posted by: Wesley Anderson | August 10, 2011 at 02:31 AM
Thank you so much for this post :) I really love it !
Posted by: Karin | August 10, 2011 at 02:43 AM
So amazing that they are all self-portraits! Some really great tips ^^
Posted by: Anne | August 10, 2011 at 02:50 AM
Thanks for sharing all your tips. I always feel so awkward having my picture taken. Maybe self portraits would be a good place for me to start getting more comfortable with the idea.
Posted by: RachelM | August 10, 2011 at 02:56 AM
Really good tips! I hope my self-portraiting will improve now:)) as I'm always a bit worried about it.
Your photos look great! Well, you are really pretty girl, so it isn't too difficult but your camera must be amazing as well.
Posted by: Blanka | August 10, 2011 at 02:57 AM
Dear Elsie, i am a new reader but already amazed by all the creativity and great photos jammed in this blog :) i look forward to read more. greetings from spain.
Posted by: Julia | August 10, 2011 at 03:08 AM
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm sure these will help me get more comfortable with taking my own photos since I'm kind of a newbie when it comes to photography!
www.thoreausdaughter.com
Posted by: Hillary | August 10, 2011 at 03:14 AM
thank you for wonderful tips! I'll use them for sure :)
with love,
I have big GIVEAWAY -your participation in it is very important for me!http://chocarome.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kasia from chocarome.blogspot.com | August 10, 2011 at 03:22 AM
thank you so much for the lovely tips, Elsie! :)
I can't wait to try out some of them as I usually don't have someone around to take me pictures so I gotta improve my self-portraits! ;)
http://drawingdreaming.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ester | August 10, 2011 at 03:43 AM
Hi Elsie
This is one of my favourite blog posts of the year as the only person who likes to hold a camera in this house it is hard to get good snaps of myself for my blog. This post had lot of good tips that i'm going to try as I wouldlove to do more outfit posts.
Thank you
Nicolette xo
http://archieandtherug.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Nicolette Lafonseca | August 10, 2011 at 04:04 AM