From Camera Shy to Confident | Self Portrait Tips from the Community
The dreaded self-portrait—who just cringed? Yep, we did too. While most of us shy away from stepping in front of the camera, there's a unique beauty in the art that's worth stepping outside our comfort zones for.
So, we turned to you for help! We asked for your tips on making the self-portrait process less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. We are sharing your valuable advice and inspiring portraits below! We hope this helps to get your creative juices flowing and get yourself in front of your lens!
Featured Self Portraits from our Talented Community Members:
Angie Mahlke @angie_mahlke
"Focusing can be a huge hurdle. I like to have something as a stand-in to grab focus. If I can wrangle one of my kids to stand in for me, I will. Or I’ve use any number of objects, like a chair or a pillow. Once I grab focus, I make sure the spot on the ground where I need to stand is marked so there’s no guesswork. I mark it with anything, a coin, rock, leaf, pencil, etc."
Abi Coop @abicoop28
“Self portraits don't have to be of your face! Shoot your hands, your feet, your torso, your hair, there's so much more to you than just your face.”
Nicole Thompson @creativeartistrybynicolelee
Holly Awwad @hollynicoletimekeeper
"I learned that the people I love don’t focus on the same flaws I see in myself. So I take pictures for them… not just for me. And also because I know someday I’ll look back at myself today with more forgiving eyes as well."
Casey Ladisa @chaoticblissphotos
“I feel like it’s common to hear people say they are uncomfortable on the other side of the lens and as someone who used to feel that way but now it’s basically a thing of the past to start small. Detail shots of your favorite features or just adding your hand/shadow into the frame and then expand as you get more comfortable and then also adding movement. Rather than staged posing… move, fake laugh, etc… basically do all the prompts you would encourage a client do if you were taking their photos to get a more natural look.”
Jess Riley @jess_rileyphotos
“Put a full length mirror by the camera and tripod, it takes the guess work out so you can get yourself in the right position and pose and check how your expressions look!”
Echo Jinx @lepetitstudiobleu
“I keep even the one I find myself ugly because my kids will need them later when I am no more."
Melissa Ortendahl @melissaortendahlphotography
“Figure out where you feel inspired! Or what inspires you - I love to do self portraits when I’m traveling. A new location, new scenery, a sense of adventure - it invigorates me! Plus, I’ll never see any of those people again so I don’t care about being in public place or around people to do the photos.”
Diana Johnson @dianaljohnsonphotography
"I have always hated to get in front of the camera! I would look a photos of myself and cringe!! I would always tense up when photos were taken and as we all know who have clients, we try to get them to relax. I was basically forced into self portraiture because I love photographing people. My kids grew and left and slowly I started putting myself in front of the frame! It was a process of the more you do it, the more you like it. I had total control. I knew what I wanted and it got easier to get with myself! So everyone should try it! You might be surprised with what you get!"
Robin Litrenta @robinlitrenta
“Have an idea then allow space for it not to work. Sometimes when I have to pivot I end up with something even better than what I envisioned.”
Khim Jeffery @arubyinbloom
Kerri Cortez @rayneandrose_photo
Melissa Reintjes @melissarae.photography
Emma Robson @photo_emmar
Mariah Andersson @mariahfotografi
“I use it as my best creative tool. With self portraits I can try out all the things I want to without having to engage with or instruct anyone else (instruct/force/beg my kids). So liberating! It can be from afar, real closeups, full body or just a hint of what is me. Endless possibilities. My remote control is my best friend.”
Shannon Denise @shannynanners
Ingrid Esanu @ingrid_esanu
Robbie Ligon @robbieligonphotography
Rebecca Pattison @crp_littles
“I don’t get in photos as much as I should, but I’ve been inspired to make sure my children have pictures with me in the frame… an intervalometer makes things a breeze. I just compose how I want the photo, set it, and forget it! Just getting my hands or feet in the frame is enough of a reminder that I was there too!”
Frances Terlich @francesterlich365
"I find that if I can take a photo where I am doing something that I enjoy taking a self portrait rather than just sitting and looking at the camera."
Melissa Summers @melissas26
Laura Sanchez @laura_sanchez_d
Heather Wilson @heather_lee_wilsons
Anna Hurley @anna_m_hurley
Charly Burnett @branding_the_west
Aimee Garrity @aimee_lynn_photography
Nancy Magnus @nmagphoto
“I usually try to find some pretty light or a nice prop so I feel the focus is not solely on me. The distraction relaxes me. It gives me something to react to - close my eyes to it, hold it, whatever.”
Samantha Deakin @onthenaughtystep_photography
