Selfie Poses are tricky. I dare anyone to say they took a super selfie the first time they tried ๐
The only way to get good at selfies is to take lots of them – try out different things for the best selfie poses – prepare to delete loads and learn from your mistakes, and most of all don’t be self conscious!
I think we should just treat this new art form as fun, rather than narcissistic, have a giggle and get creative ๐ Try to tell mini-stories with your selfie poses. Soon you’ll be a selfie pro taking beautiful selfies in no time ๐ Like me with my partners in crime in Tallin, Estonia, below – LOL ๐
But first … some things to watch out for.
I was lucky to meet up with my friend Eva in Sweden when we travelled to Stockholm for a day on the Princess Round the World Cruise but nearly ruined a perfectly good selfie ๐
Beware of the visible arm right across the photo like a spare limb, doing I don’t know what …
That’s a bit better ๐
A famous background will make your selfie all the more appealing ๐ and add to the narrative.
A famous or iconic landmark doing a bit of photo-bombing in the far background is a nice touch to take viewers on the journey with you.
Or something cute in the background … like a statue of a kangaroo in the middle of the city (Perth) which will add interest and help tell a more interesting visual story.
Beware of what’s coming out of the top of your head! This was an other-worldly, alien helmet I didn’t anticipate ๐
Best Selfie Poses
The best way to take selfie photos is to have some kind of tripod set up and use the timer on your phone, or camera.
For perfect selfies you need to think about the best selfie angles.
Cute Selfies – Demure and Pure
One of the best poses is chin down, camera up. This takes out the jowly look, gets rid of that bothersome double chin and flaring nostrils, lengthens your face, and makes your eyes look larger too. Say no more ๐
Look to the side – Super Selfie Tip
Turn your head slightly and smile as if youโre looking at someone else nearby. It just makes the selfie more model-like and natural – as long as you donโt grimace, because actually smiling naturally at someone who isnโt there is quite hard!
The Background feature
Think about making your selfies a little different – whatโs in the background? If it’s something like the Eiffel Tower it could be more of a feature than you! Could you angle yourself better to take advantage of an interesting background?
I’m on the Brooklyn Bridge below with the Manhattan skyline as the more interesting backdrop.
Pucker and Pout Selfie
Pucker up and pout. Pretend youโre about to kiss someone but then relax your lips just a tad. It will slim your cheekbones and make your lips look fuller. Donโt try this look if, like me, you have what I think of as a โbitchy resting faceโ because youโll end up looking like I do when Iโm not smiling which is slightly antsy ๐
Chin on a ledge
Remember always to stick your chin out for face shots. For the best selfie poses – chin on a ledge girls, chin on a ledge!
Don’t look like a Cheshire Cat
When we want to smile naturally for the camera thereโs a tendency to go overboard, and the smile looks unnatural. Either think of something really funny, or get your friend to tell you a joke so that a big smile IS natural.
Another tip for is to touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth when you smile. Donโt ask me what this last trick does, it just makes your smile more natural in selfie poses.
Top Selfie Poses – Go for the angle
Angles make selfies look professional, so instead of a full on front face, try tilting your face and making an angle looking at the camera with a sideways glance. This makes for very flirty selfie poses ๐
Mirror Photo Selfie Poses
Mirror on the Wall – this is the one that anyone whoโs taking blogging selfies aspires to get right because thereโs never anyone around when you have time to do those fashion posts! But the good thing is you can get your whole body in these selfie poses if you try.
Lift one hip slightly and put one foot slightly forward in front of the other. Then donโt look at the mirror, but look down at the phone as you take the photograph. It somehow seems more natural than smiling like a madwoman at the mirror.
If youโre taking selfies and posing in front of a mirror – try standing slightly sideways instead of face on. If you do this, then drop the shoulder closest to the mirror by a couple of inches, and slightly twist your torso around to the mirror. Yes, it does feel a little bit like being a contortionist to begin with – but for great selfie poses it’s all in the name of art.
Back away from the mirror so that you can get your whole outfit in (and shoes) in. Try holding the phone camera to the left of your face, and then try holding it lower down. See which gives the best results.
Mirror selfies with flash don’t work, so make sure you have good lighting. Often soft side lighting works best.
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Best Light for Selfies
Think about the lighting. Natural light is best. If you can position yourself near a window so the light falls on your face, it will brighten your face and lessen shadows.
If you are standing in front of a window and the light is behind you, make sure you have the flash turned on.
Fluorescent lighting can make your skin look a weird colour. Be careful.
Beware of shadows. Side lighting is often flattering, but just make sure that itโs not casting deep shadows on one side of your face.
If the photo isnโt perfect from a lighting point of view then try editing it with your in phone editing system, or add a great filter on Instagram – or have you tried Snapseed for editing?
Framing
If you use both arms to hold your phone out in front of you to take a selfie, they will make a frame, which will provide a good lead in line.
Selfie Taking Props and Accoutrements
1. A good Selfie Stick
2. A selfie remote shutter
3. Best Selfie Camera
Panasonic TZ90
Masses of selfie functions and a huge zoom lens squeezed into a pocketable body
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Have you got any selfie tips to share? Would love to hear about them in the comments. ๐
So helpful!
Glad you liked it Carol! ๐
Love all these tips! I’ll definitely take note of them since I love taking selfies and I always try to capture good shots. Thanks for sharing them.
I rarely take selfies, actually I don;’t like photos of myself, so that is probably why, but your post is full of great tips. thanks Jo.
Thanks Jill. They are fun sometimes, but I stress about them too when I know I should take one to tell a story. My daughter has got all the moves and angles though – she’s good!
Very helpful tips Jo … it is an art and, like everything – practice is the mother of all skills
Thanks for the useful info
Thanks Ingrid ๐ Yes, practice is king. It’s just finding time isn’t it!
My kids take the best selfies. And they don’t fumble with the buttons. I take so long just getting the set up right and my finger in the right spot to take the pic without dropping my phone!
Lol! I know what you mean Leanne. So many times I’ve had a near miss with the handset dropping onto concrete!
Great tips on taking selfies Jo. I’m terrible at them and much prefer to get someone to take a photo for me. Might try a few of your tips to see if I can improve though ๐ #TeamLovinLife
Hi Lyndall, I think most of us feel inadequate about selfies ๐ Hope the tips might help you ๐
I am rubbish at selfies. Will definitely be trying out some of your tips.
Hi Emma, they are not the easiest art form at all ๐ Good luck with yours ๐
What a perfect post, Johanna!!
It’s funny how the kids do this so well, and we need instruction. But it’s like anything—the more you do it, the easier it gets!!!
XOOX
Jodie
Hello Jodie! Yes, the kids just do it so effortlessly don’t they, while we … ahem, have to practice!
Haha love the alien helmet! I hadn’t heard the tongue touching the roof of your mouth one before, must try it!
Haha Janet ๐ I’ll be watching all your smiley photos from now on for evidence ๐
I take the worst selfies and when I try to follow all the guidelines I seem to fail even further. I think it helps if you are naturally pretty or have a smile you can turn on without it looking like the cheshire cat! Maybe it saves me from myself – or I’d be posting selfies all over the place and driving people crazy ๐
Hi Leanne, I do agree people with above ordinary bone structure have the best change with selfies. Angles are good I reckon!
I don’t think I’ve ever created a decent selfie. I suck at them! However after reading some of your tips I’m going to have a go and try to perfect them. I like the tip of looking slightly to the side rather than the full frontal and smiling like a cheshire cat!
Hi Kathy, I really do think that selfie-taking is an art and something we really have to practice (unless we’re like, err 18!) In time things fall into place, but there are definitely some tricks to be learnt. Have fun!
I take appalling selfies. They’re just dreadful…so I’ll be practising some of your tips #TeamLovinLife
Oh lol, Jo! Looking forward to seeing some of the results of your practising ๐
I am in need of a great deal of practice. Cute photos.
Thanks Kooky Chic ๐ Yes, practice, but have fun ๐
I struggle taking selfies, I never get the angle right!
There’s a definite art to the angle Anne ๐ Good luck!
Oh I struggle with selfies haha. Whenever I see someone taking one I get the urge to ask them if they would like me to take a photo so it’s not a selife ๐
Hahaha Vanessa! I know ๐ Resist the urge and have fun with a selfie!
Oh, I need this as I do occasional ‘outfit’ photos at home in a mirror as I haven’t no one else to take the pic for me. I don’t mind if informal selfies are on a bit of an angle etc otherwise, but usually I’m the tallest with the longest arms so if I’m part of a group I have to hold the camera and usually have my face in a weird contorted position! #teamlovinlife
Hi Deb, selfies are definitely an art form in themselves aren’t they! Lol! I know what you mean about weird contorted positions ๐ So glad you found this post helpful ๐