A selfie is a really fun way to present ourselves to the world and take control of your image on social media! You get to choose your styling, posing, and create the image however you like. You have the freedom to emphasize your favorite features, and feel confident in your style. So bust out your cell phone, pull out your favorite shade of lip gloss, and get to snapping!!!

Tip #1:  Try out different effects and angles – experiment with flash (camera flash or a snazzy snap on light ring), use your reflection in a mirror, hang upside down from the monkey bars,  create a silhouette with your shadow on a sunlit wall, get really creative with your angles and how you use the light available to you. Right now I am loving my $10 mini light ring from Target. It snaps on my phone and allows me to get selfies with amazing catchlights in my eyes. I got mine at the Target in Huntersville NC. I'm sure you could find them just about anywhere!

Tip #2:  In your selfies, draw attention to the side of your face with the best features. EVERYONE's face is somewhat asymmetrical. And that is a good thing! Personally, my left eye naturally squints some when I smile.... therefore, when I do a selfie, I try to angle my chin to the left and down a tad. That way the focus of the image is my right eye... big and bright.... and non squinty!!! So, go ahead and experiment a little! When I do headshots for Charlotte area graduating seniors, I often have them go through a posing series where they look slightly to the left, center, and then right. That way they can really analyze their image systematically, and decide what their "best side" is! Try it for yourself!

Tip #4: Experiment with contouring!!! The majority of my senior model team are pretty proficient in make up. The ones that love make-up can conture with the best of the YouTube pros. They can highlight and darken and blend....its amazing! Personally, I don't do tons of make-up. So if it isn't your thing, don't worry about it. But if you love makeup, call upon your inner artist and then get to snapping some shots!!

Tip #5:  Try zooming in, and focusing on only a portion of your face– So many of my senior clients in the Lake Norman Area are really creative, a typical full framed selfie is fun, but occasionally they really want to create something different! Try only capturing 1/2 of your face. Or maybe crop an image in, to only contain the eye. Focusing on just one feature of the face can tell a story of emotion and drama. Experiment and see what speaks to you!

Tip #6 Lean into the moment.  Did is all of a sudden get windy?  GOOD! Don't fight it, let your hair fly, laugh, and then snap the selfie! It's AUTHENTIC and REAL and YOU!!! That makes for the best images. Did a rain cloud just burst and now you are soaking wet? Go with the flow!!! Take that selfie and show the world that you and mother nature are completely in sync. Lean into the moment!

Tip #7 My final tip is kind of a no brainer. Be happy.  The very best pictures of you, will be the ones when you exude happiness. It is contagious. Having a variety of selfies that allow you to express your mood, you creativity, and your heart is very important. But having an image of yourself that shouts with glowing happiness is a treasure. So the next time you are beaming from ear to ear. Capture the moment. You don't need to have the right angles, or perfect make-up. You just need to freeze time, and rememer the feeling exactly as it was. Perfection.

Well that is all for today my lovies! 

All the love, rainbows, and warm kitten cuddles to you from your favorite Charlotte Area photographer,

Allison