Years ago I decided I wanted to be in all my photos with my pals so some kind orderly can eventually show doddering, 94-year-old me that at one point I had friends. I’m not good at asking for help, so instead of having other people point and shoot for me, I started taking them myself — and fell in love with the composition. For some reason, most folks stand 20 feet away when they’re taking pictures of people. Unless I’m stalking you or are keen to record what you’re wearing, I’m all about clear shots of shining eyes and big, happy smiles.
Thanks to Facebook (and press interviews in which I disconcert many by insisting on taking my own shots), for better or worse I seem to have become known for such photos. In fact, I’m often asked how I get them to turn out so surprisingly well. Here’s how:
1) Stand next to your subject, heads as close together as possible so the camera doesn’t split its focus or focus on a random object behind and between your heads.
2) Hold the camera in one hand, trigger finger positioned to depress the button, and extend your arm out, somewhat elevated, and angled toward what might be the centre point between you and your pal. I’m right handed, so I hold my camera upside down with my thumb on the snap button; doesn’t matter that the flash is thus “upside down” too.
3) Do not lean away from the camera — you’ll give you and your pal double chins. Bad. Instead stand straight and look up at the camera mostly with your eyes rather than tilt your face way up, or both of you should lean forward a bit, chins slightly out and down.
4) Listen for the camera’s yep-I’m-focussed beep before pressing the button.
5) Take several shots — people are surprisingly patient when they understand you really want them to look fabulous in your photos. (It’s okay to care how you look, too — I have the dorkiest bangs in these photos, and it pains me some that I didn’t think to check ’em.)
I’m tickled that I have actual how-to photos to show you. At a recent shindig, my dear friend Alexis thought it would be fun to take shots of me taking my own shots with friends Tammy and Jacq. Thanks, Alexis — you were right! Fun!
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I’ve always been meaning to ask you how you take those pics…the upside down thing for right-handers is quite ingenious! You took a photo of the both of us at a friend’s wedding a number of years ago. I’ve tried on a few occasions and they would never turn out as well as yours. I guess practice makes perfect too. I tried to use the “beauty geek photo-taking technique” on our honeymoon, however my husband was not willing to cooperate, because he thought it was “weird”…bummer! Thus unfortunately, most of our honeymoon photos were of me.
Well, although your husband is certainly a good-looking fellow, you’re prettier — you SHOULD be in more photos than he is!
I don’t get what’s “weird” about taking photos that way, though… clearly. *grin*
You do take great shots! and that shot of you and your friend taking a photo looks FAB!!!! I usually have my guy take the shots cause he’s got longer arms and I am the one who manipulates his arms to go left or right! we are a perfect “taking our own photo” couple! LOL
I love your shots, you look so pretty really!!!
Thanks :-) Sounds like you and your hubby are a lovely team. NICE!
LOVE that you posted this! I, too, have wondered how you managed to always take such lovely photos (beyond relying upon your God-given good looks, natch). I’m so going to practise right now!
You funny, Lizzy — thanks for enjoying! Actually, I had the camera a bit high up in these, but they still turned out pretty well (‘cept for my damn bangs — ack).
Take photos this way with your little one! They’d be soooo cute! I’d have posted shots I took with my nieces, but there weren’t any “during” photos for those. :-/
You are my hero, Janine. As an early MySpacer, I know all about the self-shot and how to make yourself look fabulous. Hah. Never thought to use my thumb, though!
I get the bangs thing all the time, too : (
Thanks, Rayanne. I figure self-photos should go on our list of “Why We Have Opposable Thumbs.” *grin*
Excellent idea.