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7 Ways To Take Your Selfie Game To The Next Level
It’s official- after all that we’ve been through over the past year, 2021 is the year that we advocate for radical self(ie) love. We all deserve to feel good about ourselves, and loving your selfie is a great start. Here are five top tips to elevate your selfie game from the comfort of your own home.
Smile!
While it’s tempting to strike your best Vogue or pout for the camera, smiling is a quick and easy sure-fire way to make yourself look good. Humans are social animals, so we’re naturally drawn to people who seem friendly and approachable. Our smiles are basically built-in flags we can wave to show this on our faces. Plus, smiling just feels good!
To protect your smile, you’ve got to protect your features. If you haven’t been in a while, it might be worth making sure your gums and teeth are in top condition (https://malekperiodontics.com/ is a personal favourite) and camera ready. At the end of the day, if you keep yourself healthy, you’ll keep yourself happy.
Pay attention to your backdrop
It’s easy to get hung up on the way your hair frames your face or what to do with your facial expression, but your selfie background is just as important to your photo’s success. Make sure your surroundings are neat and orderly (you can even just hide all your laundry out of frame- no one will ever know).
Taking the perfect selfie is an art form, and the photo is a cohesive package. Do you have any particularly interesting artifacts around your home? Some visual interest from prints, plants, or fashionable furniture can transform the vibe of your selfie completely. With a light touch of interior design to orchestrate that perfect set design for your selfie, you’ll find the overall aesthetic of your picture will thank you.
Get your friends and/or pets involved
The solo selfie can be an unforgiving art. It can easily feel like you’ve entirely forgotten how to behave like a human the moment a camera lens is pointed your way. There’s always going to be a degree of awkwardness involved- but, luckily, this is easily alleviated. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from others to get that successful snap you’ve always dreamed of.
Whether it’s your family, friends, or housemates, don’t be afraid to get them involved (within the restrictions, of course)! Taking selfies doesn’t need to be all scowls and pouts- it can, and should, be fun. Getting your loved ones involved can also help your real personality shine through.
Even better, everyone loves pets, so bringing them into frame is a sure-fire way to up your selfie game. Of course, working with animals is a notoriously difficult walk in the park, so if your furry friend’s being uncooperative, you could try attaching a pet toy to your phone to get them looking at the camera- at least for long enough to finalise the shot!
Lighting, lighting, lighting!
It really can’t be stressed enough- lighting makes or breaks a selfie, period. There are a few things to consider here. Most household overhead lights aren’t the most flattering, so it’s best to consider some alternative light sources.
Natural light is your best friend. Angle yourself so that you’re facing your windows (or even move your whole operation outdoors to add some natural flair) and set yourself up for the shoot. If outdoor light isn’t an option, but you’re after that natural glow, consider investing in a ring light to emulate that sort of effect.
Your selfie lighting is also an opportunity to get creative. Additions such as fairy lights or coloured LEDs can completely transform the visual look of your selfie. Experiment with anything and everything you’ve got at your disposal, and you might be surprised with some of the results.
Pay attention to your outfit
While selfies generally don’t cover anything below the shoulders (although if you feel like getting fancy with your self-timer, that’s more than encouraged!), at least a small portion of your outfit will almost always show in your selfie. This small portion can tell an entire story, so keep this in mind when you’re picking out your clothes!
Are you wearing something high-necked? Do you have any accessories which you want to include? Things like necklaces, earrings, and even rings (if you’re planning on including a hand in-frame) can really add a bit of pizzaz to your picture.
Consider your angles
Angles are difficult to master and easy to fumble. However, there’s no need to fear, because there are a couple of simple tips to keep in mind. Some swear by the forty-five-degree upwards angle, some slightly higher, and some slightly lower. A general rule of thumb to follow, though, is to avoid anything that forces you to look downwards at your camera. By looking down, you can accidentally emphasise things like double chins and facial shadows that you might not want to accentuate.
Having said that, a downwards angle can also have intriguing and subversive results if that’s the effect you’re looking for. At the end of the day, everyone’s perfect angle is slightly different, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works for you!
Be yourself!
The last point- and probably the most important one- is to be yourself! It might sound cheesy, but it’s true. Selfies are a reflection of who we are, and there’s no point in trying to be something you’re not. Self-love is about just that- self-love! Who you are is wonderful, and you should own it!
Make your creative choices based on what you think looks good, not on the latest hashtag on Instagram. Your clothes, your background, your lighting choices, and even your facial expression- these are all chances to show your authentic self to the world! At the end of the day, it’s your selfie and no one else’s. Do what makes you happy, and I guarantee that’s what will bring you the most success in the end.a
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