Taking the Best Selfies: A Guide to the Best Selfie Poses

The selfie – taking a photo of yourself – is as old as photography. People have been taking photos of themselves for over one hundred years, and it is a tradition that is extremely popular today. With current technology and front-facing cameras on our mobile devices, taking a selfie has never been more convenient and easier to do, especially on Instagram. Read on to find the best tips and tricks for how to take a good photo of yourself and the best poses for a selfie. 

How popular are selfies? 

With social media networks like Instagram encouraging the use of pictures and photos, selfies have become a hugely fashionable way of expressing oneself. Their popularity has never been greater. Most people in our society have smartphones or cameras, so taking a basic selfie requires no additional equipment and can be achieved in seconds. However, there are items of equipment and tips that will take your selfies to the next level. 

Since Robert Cornelius photographed his own face in 1839, the love of taking selfies has grown and grown. Many professional photographers enjoy taking self-portraits and using themselves as the subject of their artistic endeavors. However, selfies are most common online on social media networks such as Instagram. They can be an excellent way of connecting with your audience, letting them know what is happening in your life at that moment, and expressing yourself. 

How to take a selfie 

You can take a selfie with any camera, from a GoPro to a professional DSLR. However, the simplest method, and often the most convenient, is taking a picture of yourself using a camera phone. You can use the back camera and turn your phone to have the back facing you, or you can use the front-facing camera for mirror selfies. The latter also allows you to see the image about to be taken on the phone’s screen as you set up the shot. In addition, you can use lighting rings, a simple table lamp (or even just natural lighting outdoors) and a selfie-stick to enhance your selfie.

It is as simple as one, two, three to take a basic selfie. All you need to do is: 

1. Open your phone’s camera app and select the front-facing camera 
2. Position your phone in front of you and make suitable poses for selfies.  
3. Press the capture button on your phone to take and save the photo. 

Not all selfies look great due to their background. Sometimes what is behind you can be too distracting. You can blur the background online with the awesome Crello tool when you are posing for selfies.

Types of selfie poses and tips on how to take them 

The pose you make when you take a selfie determines what impression the final photo will convey. From serious expressions to cute poses, they will all change the effect your selfie has on people. You can include the placement of your hand or body to add to your poses. 

• A great starting point and tip for taking a selfie photo is using a pose that is natural for you. Whether cuddling up to your beloved animal friends or smiling in cute selfie poses, try these sorts of poses before you experiment with something different. Consider adding a hand in the frame. 
• Always make sure that your phone camera is above your face. It may sound a bit unusual, but the results of the photo are more flattering. Holding your camera below the face can make your neck and chin seem exaggerated.  
• Make sure that you, the subject, are well-lit and well-framed compared to the background. You want a cool photo of yourself, so make yourself stand out in the shot. 
• Use filters in your favorite photo editing apps. These can correct the colors in your selfie and can produce soft or harsh effects as well. 

Mistakes in selfie photography

Any person can take a selfie with no more photo equipment than a mobile phone and your own face. However, not all selfies have the appeal that others have. So why do we skip some photos on our timelines and engage with others? Many of you make mistakes repeatedly when photographing yourself. How do we avoid them? 

Here are some mistakes which frequently occur when taking a selfie photo. 

1. Not accounting for the ability of our equipment 
   
   All lenses have a minimum focal length. This is the minimum distance between your face and the camera required for a shot to be sharp, clear and in focus. Often holding your phone too close to your face can result in a distorted or blurred image. 
   
2. Look out for companions in your selfie 
   
   The eye is always drawn to large objects in a photo and bright objects in a frame. Make certain that you are the brightest and largest object in your selfie, otherwise people looking may see an unwanted item in the background instead of your beautiful face! 
   
3. Try natural poses 
   
   Do not simply mimic the posing tricks you read about online. Although helpful, not all of them will suit you and your face type. Find and refine poses for girls that fit your personality and physicality. It will create a much more beautiful image. Use a hand or posture to enhance your pose. (Check out Cosmopolitan’s handy tips here, listing selfie poses for girls and how to take a good selfie).

Taking a selfie is quite easy, especially with modern technology. It can contain just your face or your entire body. Photos are an excellent method of sharing how you feel and what is happening in your life at any given time. Family and friends will also always love to see your face. However, taking the best selfies is an art form and requires a little effort and thought when composing the frame. Read our tips, tricks, and frequent mistakes that people make when taking a selfie, and your face will always look perfect.