Frank Farina of Black Tie Photographers Tips On Taking "Selfies"

Over 30 percent of the images on your phone are selfies! So, why not learn how to take a great shot? These tips can help you….

1. Find the best lighting – chances are you’ll be outdoors! Natural light tends to be a selfies best friend! Avoid taking a photo at noon when you’ll find the biggest shadow issues happening. No need to cast deep bags under your eyes.

2. Flash a real smile. Practice in front of a mirror, if needed. If you feel “stiff” walk away and then quickly regroup and take the snap. Walking away will loosen you up a bit and make things look less staged.

3. Practice angles with your phone; tilt the camera, do close ups and full-length mirror shots.

4. Strike a pose or six. Find the angle that works best for you. Most people don’t look great with a stare into the camera straight-on. You should turn to the side a slight amount and practice with taking a few shots at various heights and see what works best for you.

5. Use the right app and filters – everyone looks great with the Valencia Instagram filter and the Afterlight app for editing on camera phones is also a fantastic way to improve any selfie.

6. Consider the background – texture backgrounds of stone, brick, trees and flowers are always lovely. Beware of photo-bombers when in public.

7. Don’t overthink the effort – it’s a snapshot – you don’t need to get to serious about it! Just relax and take a photo – they shouldn’t be posed or look like you’ve been working on it for an hour.

For more tips on photography please visit our website blog at www.blacktiephotographers.com and remember our services for any upcoming family or holiday event. Call us directly to discuss your photography needs at 917-439-7878.