How to take self portraits.
Easily, this is one of the hottest topics and most puzzling questions I see floating around the photography realm these days.
Being a good photographer is one thing, but being able to take your own photos successfully is a whole other beast of it’s own.
In this post, we are going to unravel the most basic ways to help you get started so you can take amazing self-portraits for your everyday and professional needs!
Find the light
Ahh, the most crucial and sometimes most overlooked task when it comes to taking self-portraits.
You might spend a little extra time in the bathroom primping to look great, but if you don’t have good light, then all of your efforts might go to waste.
Taking your photos in good light is the deal breaker of a good photo because you want yourself to look your best, right?!
If you’re just starting out taking self portraits, then go for the easy light first.
Inside window light or open-shade outdoors is a good place to start for an overall flattering & even skin tone. Make sure to turn your face towards the light source to capture good catch lights in your eyes and for less shadows on the face.
If you aren’t sure how to find the light effectively, grab our FREE e-book, Finding the Light, where we go over just that!
a tripod is your friend
This should go without saying, but using a tripod to take your self portraits is going to be a game-changer in this task.
Sure, you could try to prop your camera on tables and books to get it “just right”, but you will save so much time and keep your camera more secure by using a tripod.
I suggest something durable and nothing cheap – like this one.
Putting your expensive camera gear on a flimsy tripod is just an accident waiting to happen, so don’t skimp out on this one! I’ve used a tripod like this for the past 13 years and it’s still going strong, so it’s definitely money well spent!
In addition to a tripod, it’s also a fine idea to look into a remote for your camera.
You could use the timer setting, but running back and forth might get old after awhile. Unless you like the extra workout, you can grab one of these for less than $10 and you’ll be glad that you got one!
Use a stand-in
The toughest thing about about taking self-portraits is getting good focus.
Sure, the overall vision, cropping, and final image is what you are going for, but having spot-on focus can be a real struggle.
This is where a stand in comes in.
Grab a child, a well-trained pet, or a large-sized stuffed animal and put them in place to fill the void and to set your focus.
Using your tripod, set up your camera where you want to place it for your photo in good light. If you plan on sitting on a chair or piece of furniture, then set your stand-in exactly where you will be sitting.
Adjust your settings, focus on your stand-in, then run to your place while the timer is running out – or use your remote to avoid running back and forth.
For this self-portrait I used this stuffed animal in place where I was going to be sitting and quickly removed it from the scene after I had focus and my timer put in place.
Show your personality
The best thing about taking your own self portraits is that no one else has to be around for you to show your true self!
While it might be a struggle at first taking your own photos, being able to come out of shell for only you should be fairly easy and take much less time than if you are working with someone else.
What I like to do when I want to show my true smile is make myself laugh – AKA fake laughing.
This usually starts with me making silly expressions and then running back to the camera to take a peek. This routine always gets me to loosen up and most of the time in between those goofy expressions comes a genuine smile or look that truly reflects myself.
Don’t be afraid to act like a goofball and laugh at yourself – I promise it will make the whole experience better and you’ll end up having great photos!
Seek helpers
If you find that the above steps are just too much right away, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
If you don’t have a tripod or having a hard time getting your focus just right, then ask a friend to help you hold the camera snap & the shutter (something I like to call the human tripod).
Many times if I wish to be in the frame either in solo self-portraits or photos with my kids, I pass off the camera to someone else to snap the photo.
Having my settings in place and directing my helper on where to stand and hold the camera is essentially a self-portrait in my book & there’s no shame in asking for help when necessary (especially for those candid moments).
At the end of a photo session with some family members, I wanted to grab a quick shot of me and my son, but I didn’t have my tripod with me. I tweaked my settings and took a test shot, then handed off the camera to my aunt and she took this photo after I had placed her in the right spot for the shot.
This resulted in one of my favorite images of me with my youngest and something I will cherish forever.
There’s nothing wrong with asking for an extra helping hand – so use it to your advantage if and when you can!