Take Really Nice Photos of Yourself

Taking a nice photo of yourself can be a challenge. When you are on your own, you have to worry about looking good as well as capturing yourself from a flattering angle. But if you adjust your environment, know which poses to strike, and follow a few rules, you can take really nice photos of yourself in no time at all. If you want to know how to take really nice photos of yourself, just follow these steps.

Steps

Preparing to Take Photos of Yourself

1. Adjust your hair. If your hair is sticking up in the wrong places or covering part of your face in an unflattering way, it will take away from any of the positive aspects of the picture. Make sure your hair is combed to get out any of the kinks, and that you have used product or hairspray to get rid of any static.
   • Your hair doesn't have to look perfect, but you do have to make sure it does not attract attention away from your face.
2. Adjust your makeup. When you are taking photos of yourself, you can try wearing slightly more makeup so your features are not washed out under the lights. Just don't apply 'too' much makeup or you won't look like yourself and may look like you're wearing a makeup mask. If you don't normally wear a lot of makeup, you can just put on some nice mascara and lip gloss to draw attention to your features.
   • If your face is naturally a bit oily, make sure to put some powder on your face, or to remove the oil with a natural oil-blotter. An oily face can look even more oily in a photo.
3. Adjust the lighting. Natural lighting is always best, but play around with the lights in different rooms. Always do your best to take your picture in a room that has sufficient lighting to see your features.
   • If you are indoors, stand near a window.
   • If you are outside, take the photo early in the morning or late in the afternoon so the sunlight does not overwhelm the photo.
4. Pick the right background. The background you choose should make you stand out instead of making you look washed-out or plain in comparison. If you are indoors, just a plain white or brightly-colored wall will do; don't stand in front of a wall with a lot of posters or designs on it, or you won't stand out as much.
   • If you are outdoors, pick a uniform background, like a row of trees or a lake, and try not to stand in front of other people or moving objects, like buses.
5. Practice holding the camera at arm's length. This is one common way to take a "selfie," so you should be comfortable doing it before you take dozens of pictures that don't come out right. This will help you avoid that awkward photo where your forearm is blocking half your face and looks incredibly muscular.
   • Remember that your arms will get tired, so take a break from practicing to adjust the light or pick out a new outfit.
6. Get in a fun mood. Your pictures will look much better if you're feeling silly, loose, and just in a great mood. This will make you more comfortable in front of the camera, and more likely to experiment and relax. Try indulging in some of your favorite things while you're taking the picture, like listening to music that makes you want to dance, or humming your favorite tune to yourself.

Taking Photos of Yourself

1. Set up your camera. You may want to try several poses to find the most flattering one. If you have a timer, and a series option, you can set your camera to take several pictures at a time, which gives you time to pose or smile. You may look more together if you're not worried about operating the camera and posing.
   • Give yourself more than enough time with the timer so you don't have to run back and forth too quickly.
   • If you love the timer method, invest in a remote.
2. Experiment with different angles. You should try as many angles as possible to see which one is the most flattering and makes you look your best. Avoid taking photos from below because you'll look shorter or like you have a double-chin. If the camera is slightly above you, you'll look taller and slimmer.
   • Avoid taking photos head-on. This will make you look boxy. Take the photo from the left or right to make your photo more dynamic.
   • Try ten or twenty different angles. Have fun until you find your most flattering angle. Remember that one hairstyle can look great in one angle, while another would not look as nice in the same set-up.
   • Try taking pictures in front of the mirror. This will add a new and fun perspective to your photo shoot. The camera will show up in the photo for a fun effect.
3. Take as many pictures as possible. Keep going until you get the perfect shot. Unless you have a Polaroid or film camera, you have nothing to lose. Try as many outfits or hairstyles as you want until you look just right. You can try a variety of backgrounds that make you stand out, whether you're at home or outside.
   • If you found the perfect location, try taking pictures in the same place during different times of the day to see how the lighting affects your look.
4. Ask a friend for an opinion. Show a friend or family member your picture before uploading it to the Internet to get a second opinion. You may think you look perfect, but an honest opinion could help you improve your next photo.

Tips

• If props aren't your thing, but you want to add some personality to a photo, you can try different backgrounds. With apps and computer programs available you can even add these backgrounds after a picture is taken.
• If you want to incorporate props in your photos, try to add things that represent you (Examples are holding a guitar if you play or standing next to your horse if you ride).

Related Articles

• Fake a Smile for Pictures and Look Good Doing It
• Get a Good Picture Taken of Yourself
• Be Photogenic
• Look Photo Fabulous
• Add People to a Photo
• Coordinate Clothes for a Family Picture

• Take Good Selfies

• Take a Selfie with a Celebrity

See also

• Take Good Selfies
• Take Good Photos of Yourself when You Are Overweight
• Take Erotic Photos of Yourself
• Take Good Mirror Photos and Poses
• Take Flattering Photos of Yourself
• Take a Self Portrait