How To Get The Perfect Self-Portraits

      They're not vain, they're because nobody wanted to model for you.

     Whether you're into fine-art photography or just need a new picture for an online profile, being able to take your own photos is a useful skill to have, and many people comment on my instagram photos asking for self-portrait tips since they don't know where to start. I decided to compile a list of tips and tricks to help you get the best pictures of yourself for whatever you might need!

Note: I'm no pro and I'm just speaking from my own experience!

      1. Use a tripod. Whenever possible, use a tripod because this keeps your camera stable and safe and you can easily adjust what height and angle you'd like it to be at. If you can't use a tripod, feel free to use whatever precarious stack of telephone books and garden chairs you'd like, but don't say I didn't warn you. (I did, however, get away with doing this for quite a while when I was younger).

      2. Remotes are great, but self-timer is fine too. Remotes cost extra money and are only available for DSLRs, and are a great option for people who take tons of self-portraits at a shallow depth of field, but they're not necessary. (I'm in the market for one, but I've never used one before). However, most, if not all, digital cameras have a self-timer function. Get familiar with the one on your camera. Know how to set it, and how to turn it on and off. 

      3. Focusing is the toughest (but most important) part. You don't want yourself to be out of focus, do you? 

      If you only have a point-and-shoot camera (no removable lenses), you're actually luckier in this department, since they tend not to have a shallow enough depth of field to make focusing a pain. You can skip to step 4. 

     However, if you do have a DSLR, there are several ways to focus your camera on you.

• You could use a remote, but hey, not everyone has that luxury.
• If somebody is willing to volunteer, have them stand where you'll be standing, focus your camera on them, and then make sure to switch it to manual focus mode if it isn't already.
• If you don't have a volunteer, you can get a big stack of objects to focus your camera on and do the same with that as the step above. 
• If you'll be posing near something (tree, playground equipment, flowers, etc), just focus your camera on that object!
• This is the method I use the most, but it also requires a lot of trial and error no matter how many times you've done it: Tilt your camera on its tripod and focus it on a part of the ground. Switch it to manual focus mode. Tilt it back up, and then when you take your photos, stand a couple of feet farther away from the camera than the spot of ground you focused on. It might take a few test shots to figure out exactly where you should stand to be in focus. 

      4. Composition Tips: Self-portraits aren't much different than other portrait photography, except that you have complete control over the outcome! Experiment with different poses, outfits and locations to figure out what best suits your style. 

      5. Don't give up. EVER. A lot of people get discouraged when their photos don't turn out the way they want them to on the first try. But practice is the only way to improve! I've been taking self-portraits for two years now, and my first ones aren't much to be proud of. But if you keep at it, you'll see improvement quickly! Don't compare yourself to others, and instead, focus on improving for yourself. 

     I know this was long, but I hope I was able to help anyone interested! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to comment below!