When you’ve nailed your style, and want to capture it well
As a Seattle brand photographer, the importance of wardrobe for a successful shoot cannot be overstated… and I’m an evangelist for investing in personal styling as one of the best gifts you can give yourself (you can read my blog post about that here.)
I experience first hand the dramatic difference it makes in front of the camera when my client feels fantastic in what she’s wearing – the confidence and enthusiasm they feel, and how they go from camera-shy to excited to be photographed, looking as good as they feel.
Of course, not everyone is headed for a branding shoot or portrait session after doing a wardrobe refresh – but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some fabulous shots of yourself that show you at your best!
“What’s my style is not your style, and I don’t see how you can define it. It’s something that expresses who you are in your own way.”
Iris Apfel
There’s a few key things to consider when taking self portraits – I’m not talking about holding your arm out, tilting your head and snapping a selfie here. I’m talking about showing both you and your ensemble in a flattering and even storytelling way.
So let’s dive in!
We’re going to break this down and help you go from so-so selfies to portraits you can feel proud of in a few easy steps. It’s really about identifying the core elements that make or break a good portrait, and knowing how to look for those before you snap the picture.
LIGHT
The first thing to look for is good light.
Some of the most flattering light is window light – you can either face the window if it’s indirect light for a soft, overall even light that softens wrinkles and fills shadows, or stand perpendicular to it for a more dramatic look (this can create a slimming effect as well). The larger the light source, and the closer to it you are, the softer the look.
If you’re outside, choose a time of day when the sun is lower in the sky, and choose an angle that isn’t creating unflattering shadows across your face or under your eyes. Hold your phone in front of your face in selfie mode and rotate around until you find the best light.
LOCATION
Once you’ve identified some good lighting, consider what’s behind you…location location location! You and your outfit should be the star of the show, and having a lot of clutter behind you, and elements that are intersecting your body are just distracting.
That said, graphic elements, architecture, pattern, etc can be wonderful backdrops – just make sure they compliment your outfit and vibe, and are intentionally chosen. Pay attention to simple composition and where you are situated in the frame.
Also, consider if there are pops of color or bright light in the background that might be distracting or creating too much contrast.
If you are uncertain, a clean, neutral background will set the stage for you and your style to shine through. (But if your outfit is all about strong color, then play with being bold and find a backdrop in a complimentary hue!)
Make sure you’re intentional about your background.
PERSPECTIVE
While the hold-it-high-and-pucker approach might do the job for 20-somethings on a dating app (no judgment!), if you are going for something a bit more sophisticated, then it’s important to pay attention to what angle you’re shooting from.
Keep in mind that while shooting from high above emphasizes the eyes and can sometimes hide the double chin, it also psychologically suggests something more sensuous and vulnerable in nature (unless that’s what you’re going for!)
Instead, shoot at, or just slightly above, eye level – when taking full body shots you won’t have the perspective distortion where your legs look shorter than they are (I mean who wants that?!).
Alternatively, shooting from a low angle makes the legs look longer – but be aware of looking down at the camera and creating a double chin situation. Instead, lift your chin slightly and turn your head to the side, toward the light.
THE CHIN(s)…
Let’s talk about this.
Too often I see women raise their chin in an attempt to stretch out that troublesome extra skin hanging out where it’s not wanted. Really all this does is create an undefined column that’s not flattering.
Instead, keeping your chin level (even slightly down), push your forehead towards the lens a little. This might feel a little weird, but it hides the extra skin and defines your jawline. Much more flattering!
POSING
Posing is a whole book in itself, but a few tips can go a long way.
Angles are your friend! Think triangles and diamonds. And remember that whatever is closest to the camera looks bigger.
The following are some foolproof tricks:
- When standing, angle your body in relation to the camera.
- Having your hips rotated in one direction while your upper torso is rotated a little in the opposite direction creates a lovely S shape to your body.
- Placing one foot slightly in front of the other elongates you visually.
- Creating some space between your arms and your body keeps you from looking like one solid shape.
- Placing hands on natural waistline and rotating them toward the front makes the waist appear smaller
- Asymmetry is your friend, so if one hand is in your pocket or on your hip, place the other on your upper thigh and slide your elbow up and slightly behind, as an example.
- Pushing your booty back a bit and slightly leaning toward the camera from your hips emphasizes your upper body and face while making the hips appear smaller. Place weight on one leg and lightly bend and rock one leg over the other – or lift onto one toe to create an inverted triangle from your feet to your hips.
- When sitting, have your upper body a little closer to the camera. Lean in a bit.
- Give your hands something to do…make use of pockets, lightly hold the edge of a lapel, lightly touch your hair, or hold a purse. Be sure hands are soft and not tightly gripping.
Give your hands something to do…make use of pockets, lightly hold the edge of a lapel, lightly touch your hair, or hold a purse. Be sure hands are soft and not tightly gripping.
You’ll want to take into consideration the style of clothing you’re wearing… if, say, you’re sporting wide legged pants, try opting for a wider leg stance and pop one hip to show off that feature. A swingy skirt or dress? Add some movement to either your body or the skirt – sway back and forth, or lightly grab a bit of material and swish it out and back. Your outfit is part of the story so think about how you can show off its features as well.
Use furniture as props – try sitting on the arm of a couch or chair, sit backwards or sideways on a chair, or lean against a wall or door jamb (remember to angle your body!).
Stand in front of a mirror and experiment and find what works for you
CAMERA SETTINGS
If you’re using a cell phone, you can pop it into a little tripod like this one that you can place on the floor or on a table at the height you want and set the self-timer. Use portrait mode, and choose a low number for your aperture so your background is blurred out and you are in focus.
If you’re using a DSLR you’ll need a more substantial tripod, and depending on your camera you may need to lock focus manually, then set the self-timer and the number of shots you want it to take with each press of the shutter.
Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it.
Diane von Furstenberg
I hope these tips give you the confidence to capture yourself and your style, and that you put them out into the world (or even just on your wall!).
Unleash your personality and have fun with it!
