Ever wondered how some people take amazing selfies and yours turn out…ehhhh…less than perfect? Clearly everyone doesn’t have amazing cheekbones, sparkling eyes and a glorious sunset in their backyard. So what’s the trick? Stay tuned to read a few of my tips and tricks that will turn your selfie from drab to fab!
Find Your Light 
One of the most important selfie tricks I share with friends is that you ALWAYS need to have good light. Resting your selfie hopes on the harsh light from a camera phone will almost guarantee a horrible photo. Lol! The best light is natural light. Let me say this again – THE BEST LIGHT IS NATURAL LIGHT.
If you’re outdoors:
- position yourself in the direction facing the sun – capturing the sun in the background of your photo sounds nice in theory, but will cast a nasty shadow on your pretty face
Pro Tip: If the sun is in your eyes, use your phone as a shield.
If you’re indoors:
- take a quick bathroom break. I know it sounds crazy but bathrooms are often the most lit places in a home or restaurant. Find a clean/clear wall and you’re good-to-go. If you do it right, no one will ever know.
Select Your Angle
Unless you have a perfectly chiseled face, taking a selfie straight-on is a no-no. Think of it as someone essentially flattening your face (and not in a good way). To find your perfect selfie angle, hold the camera steady and slowly turn your head from side to side keeping your neck in one position. Take photos at every turning point. Whichever one makes you do a double take is your selfie angle.
Double (chin) trouble? No problem. Hold the camera slightly above your head to help extend your neck forward and accentuate the best parts of your jawline.
Put Your Best Face Forward
Smile, frown, pout or make a silly face. Whatever you do – leave the ducks in the pond (no duck lips, please). Although that selfie trend is all over Instagram, I’ve yet to see ANYONE who looks nice doing it. Ha. Selfies aren’t always about being glamorous. The best photos are ones where you feel most comfortable. Let your true personality shine through, whether it’s silly, sexy, playful or serious.
**Bonus Tips**
- Use your phone’s back camera instead of the front/selfie camera. Using the back camera instead of the (front) selfie camera instantly enhances the quality of your photo. Most phones have better cameras on the back than on the front, so maximize your selfie potential by accessing the most megapixels your phone has to offer. It may be a little awkward to take a photo without seeing it first, but who cares if it leads to a great selfie?!?
- Chill out on the filters. I prefer to be au natural – with filters, that is…lol. If you like using filters to enhance your selfie, don’t go crazy. Limit the effects to no more than two options (e.g., filter, brightness, color saturation, blur, etc.)
Stay tuned to part two of my selfie tips, where I unveil a huge secret that celebs and bloggers don’t want you to know. In the meantime, take a new selfie using some of my tips. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter so I can show you some selfie love. Until then, ‘treat yo selfie’ to a new photo. XOXO