3 Tips to Stellar Self Portraits

As a photographer we spend most of our time behind the view finder, not in front of the lens. After reading this post, I challenge you to take self-portraits. These 3 Tips to Stella Self Portraits should help you and give you confidence to get in front of the camera!!!

I enjoy doing self-portraits for many reasons, aside from having great quality images of myself + hubby, self-portraits reminds me how my clients feel during a session and when viewing their images. When I take photos of my clients I love capturing amazingly beautiful moments for them to see and hold on to. Self-portraits allows me to do the same for myself. It is also a great creative outlet, I can try new concepts, techniques and ideas. My husband and I always have a blast when we do self-portraits.

Here are some tips to capture great self-portraits.

Preparation: When I am getting ready for our mini shoot, I remind myself of the things I tell my clients. The most important one is to enjoy the session. If you aren’t having fun, then you’re doing it wrong. I take my time getting ready, doing my hair and makeup while my husband sorts through his favorite shirts.

Makeup: I wear natural tones, and stay away from trying anything new (unless it’s a concept session).

Hair: I do something easy and fun, I don’t want to get stressed before the session even starts!

Outfits: I follow the same suggestions I give my clients, Wear something complimentary, not matching, and stay away from logos and graphics. Don’t be afraid of accessories, and fun details.

More tips on What to Wear for a Photo Session

Equipment: I’ve done a variety of self-portraits with different equipment over the years. You can use whatever camera and lens you have/want. I have a Canon 6D, and I use a variety of lenses, depending on the look I want. I mostly use a 50 mm 1.4, 35 mm 2, and sometimes my 100 mm 2.8.
Tripod: If you have a tripod, it’s super helpful to use during self-portraits, it allows you to do more than if you have to set your camera on something, but if you don’t have a tripod-don’t worry. I’ve set my camera on the trunk of my car for photos before!

Remote: I have a remote and it is also helpful for self-portraits and saves a lot of time running back and forth using the timer.
When I am doing self-portraits I will set my focus point (by placing something in the area I will be standing), then I switch to manual focus, hit the timer (or use a remote) to take the photos once I am in the frame.
(A non-self-portrait way of doing this is have a friend come along-adjust all the settings for them, and they snap the shutter).

Posing: When taking self-portraits we can get caught up in the logistics of the session and forget how we look/feel. I have some greatly composed photos; the exposure is right, the focus is sharp, but my pose is wonky, or stiff.

Before I hit the shutter I remind myself… Put all my weight on one leg, Pivot my hips so they are not square with the camera, SMILE. These minor adjustments will take my self-portrait from good to great.

Posing Tips: 8 Tips to Help You Avoid Posing Mistakes

Now, let’s see what you come up with! I’d love to see self-portraits you’ve taken. Share in the comments and post on Instagram using Hashtag #letslearnSP.