5 tips to taking great selfies

Tip 1: Dress for success

Simple solid colours are great. Wear clothing that makes you feel confident. Avoid bare arms, busy patterns and logos. Don’t worry about being seasonal. Light jackets and layers are fantastic. Putting a jacket on or taking it off can easily change a look. To complete a polished look, ensure that your outfit is clean and wrinkle-free and that your hair is tidy (out of your eyes – no stray hairs).

Tip 2: Find your location, find the light

Find a solid background that’s clutter-free. This could be a solid-coloured wall in your home or office. Set yourself up next to a window and turn off any lights in the room. Pick a time of day where non-directional light pours into the room (or use a north- or south-facing room). For a “business-like” selfie, it’s best to turn yourself toward the main source of light. If you wear glasses and are shooting into a light source you’ll need to watch for glare/
light reflection bouncing off your lenses. Adjust your angle in order to minimize the glare and more clearly see your eyes.

Tip 3: Determine the perfect angle

Ensure the camera is eye-level and steady. Practice using your self-timer and set up the phone using a piece of furniture or an inexpensive mini-phone stand. If you have someone who can help (someone in your household bubble), ask them to keep the camera eye-level and take a variety of shots making sure to try a few different poses – standing, sitting, hands in pockets or arms loosely folded across your chest – the variety will help you settle on a photo that looks and feels just right.

Tip 4: Practice your facial expressions

Again, it’s about creating the right impression to serve a specific purpose – you want to present yourself in the most professional way you can,
whether it’s a smiling shot or not.

Tip 5: Always export and save your photos at the original size

If you save any smaller, it will lose resolution and can appear pixilated.

*This information is adapted from content on the Creative Studio website.