#1 Be Yourself
Lets face it, it's a lot easier to be yourself when you're on your own. This can also be said for self-portraits - when it's just the camera and you, there's no added stress of feeling as though someone is judging you.
Be your confident self, and this will shine through in the photographs. Another bonus of taking photographs of yourself is that if you don't like the result, simply delete it! No one else will ever have to see it.
Practice your poses in the mirror first, and remember - as long as you're happy with the end result then nothing else matters!
Lets face it, it's a lot easier to be yourself when you're on your own. This can also be said for self-portraits - when it's just the camera and you, there's no added stress of feeling as though someone is judging you.
Be your confident self, and this will shine through in the photographs. Another bonus of taking photographs of yourself is that if you don't like the result, simply delete it! No one else will ever have to see it.
Practice your poses in the mirror first, and remember - as long as you're happy with the end result then nothing else matters!
#2 Self-Esteem is Important!
Here's a helpful tip for taking the best Facebook profile photo! Only begin taking photographs of yourself when you feel comfortable, and your self-esteem is high.
You may have noticed that when you're not feeling confident, or you're having a bad day, this is often reflected in your photographs. Sometimes you can even become over-critical, and might begin judging your photographs too harshly, only to delete every single one!
Style your hair your favorite way, or highlight your most-loved features with makeup in order to boost your confidence, as well as the end result.
Here's a helpful tip for taking the best Facebook profile photo! Only begin taking photographs of yourself when you feel comfortable, and your self-esteem is high.
You may have noticed that when you're not feeling confident, or you're having a bad day, this is often reflected in your photographs. Sometimes you can even become over-critical, and might begin judging your photographs too harshly, only to delete every single one!
Style your hair your favorite way, or highlight your most-loved features with makeup in order to boost your confidence, as well as the end result.
#3 Experiment
It's great to experiment with various things, and when it comes to photography, it's no exception!
Cameras have endless settings, so play around with these in order to capture a truly unique and awesome profile photo. Things such as lighting, contrast, color, and shutter speed can all be modified on even the most basic of digital cameras.
If you don't feel confident enough to experiment with your camera, then Instagram has a whole array of arty filters that instantly add a new look to your photos.
It's great to experiment with various things, and when it comes to photography, it's no exception!
Cameras have endless settings, so play around with these in order to capture a truly unique and awesome profile photo. Things such as lighting, contrast, color, and shutter speed can all be modified on even the most basic of digital cameras.
If you don't feel confident enough to experiment with your camera, then Instagram has a whole array of arty filters that instantly add a new look to your photos.
#4 Keep Shooting
The number one rule to getting the perfect photo? Take as many as possible of course!
You might feel a bit silly pulling different poses and shooting away, but the truth is that the more photographs you have to choose from, the better your chances will be of finding that perfect picture.
Variety is the key here, so pretend as though you're in a photobooth and try as many different looks as possible. Be serious, sultry, or kooky - it's completely up to you!
The number one rule to getting the perfect photo? Take as many as possible of course!
You might feel a bit silly pulling different poses and shooting away, but the truth is that the more photographs you have to choose from, the better your chances will be of finding that perfect picture.
Variety is the key here, so pretend as though you're in a photobooth and try as many different looks as possible. Be serious, sultry, or kooky - it's completely up to you!
#5 Double Trouble
If there's one thing that tends to stop people from taking self-portraits, it's their fear of the dreaded double chin!
Double chins can happen to the best of us, so it's important to know how to work around this issue whilst still managing to take the most flattering photo of yourself.
Never take a photograph of yourself from an upward angle, as this has the tendency to make your chin and neck a lot larger than it actually is. Instead, turn your face to the side slightly, and shoot from an downward angle. Pushing your tongue against the back of your teeth also lifts the area under your chin.
If there's one thing that tends to stop people from taking self-portraits, it's their fear of the dreaded double chin!
Double chins can happen to the best of us, so it's important to know how to work around this issue whilst still managing to take the most flattering photo of yourself.
Never take a photograph of yourself from an upward angle, as this has the tendency to make your chin and neck a lot larger than it actually is. Instead, turn your face to the side slightly, and shoot from an downward angle. Pushing your tongue against the back of your teeth also lifts the area under your chin.
#6 Double-Click Photoshop
The media is often quick to scrutinize Photoshop, however it always has been, and always will be, a fantastic photo-editing tool.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to hide a blemish in a photograph, and sometimes, make-up just doesn't do the trick! Photoshop allows you to add softness, contrast, or saturation to your photo (among many other things) and all of these settings can take your photo to a whole new level.
If you don't own a photo editing program such as Photoshop, then you can also use free photo editing tools on the internet, such as PicMonkey, as well as the app titled Picsart.
The media is often quick to scrutinize Photoshop, however it always has been, and always will be, a fantastic photo-editing tool.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to hide a blemish in a photograph, and sometimes, make-up just doesn't do the trick! Photoshop allows you to add softness, contrast, or saturation to your photo (among many other things) and all of these settings can take your photo to a whole new level.
If you don't own a photo editing program such as Photoshop, then you can also use free photo editing tools on the internet, such as PicMonkey, as well as the app titled Picsart.
#7 Opt For Black & White
There's just something about a black and white filter that really makes a photograph 'pop'. Facebook can often be a sea of highly-saturated profile photos, so why not stand out from the crowd?
You don't need black and white film in order to achieve this effect. Every photo editing website, app or program has this setting, allowing you to transform your photograph at the click of a button.
Black and white filters are also great for hiding some imperfections, as well as for balancing uneven skin tone.
There's just something about a black and white filter that really makes a photograph 'pop'. Facebook can often be a sea of highly-saturated profile photos, so why not stand out from the crowd?
You don't need black and white film in order to achieve this effect. Every photo editing website, app or program has this setting, allowing you to transform your photograph at the click of a button.
Black and white filters are also great for hiding some imperfections, as well as for balancing uneven skin tone.
#8 It's All in the Background
You may not think so, but the background of your photograph can be just as important as both the subject (you!) and the foreground.
Shooting in a cluttered or messy room will take the focus from you, to the pile of crumpled clothes or homework sitting on your bedroom floor. Alternatively, shooting in front of a neutral-colored wall will ensure that all of the attention remains on you.
If you feel like experimenting with your background, there's also no harm in that. Stand in front of a brick wall, or perhaps a floral vine growing in your garden? The choices are endless!
You may not think so, but the background of your photograph can be just as important as both the subject (you!) and the foreground.
Shooting in a cluttered or messy room will take the focus from you, to the pile of crumpled clothes or homework sitting on your bedroom floor. Alternatively, shooting in front of a neutral-colored wall will ensure that all of the attention remains on you.
If you feel like experimenting with your background, there's also no harm in that. Stand in front of a brick wall, or perhaps a floral vine growing in your garden? The choices are endless!
#9 Avoid Clichés
If there's one thing everyone is sick of seeing, it's that extended arm in photographs. We know that the majority of self-portraits are "self-taken", however there are a number of ways we can all avoid that cliché look.
The most obvious solution to this would be to use a tripod. Your camera can sit on the tripod, and using the self-timer function, you will be able to capture a great self-portrait.
Tripods can be a little expensive, however, so a cheaper alternative would be to sit your camera on a level surface, such as a bookcase or table, and to use the self-timer function.
If there's one thing everyone is sick of seeing, it's that extended arm in photographs. We know that the majority of self-portraits are "self-taken", however there are a number of ways we can all avoid that cliché look.
The most obvious solution to this would be to use a tripod. Your camera can sit on the tripod, and using the self-timer function, you will be able to capture a great self-portrait.
Tripods can be a little expensive, however, so a cheaper alternative would be to sit your camera on a level surface, such as a bookcase or table, and to use the self-timer function.
#10 Quality Matters
When it comes to photography, the quality of your camera really does matter. We're not saying you have to purchase the most expensive camera there is - Instead, we're stressing the importance of a camera that takes sharp and focused photographs.
Nobody likes a blurry or speckled photograph, and the overall quality of a photograph really does impact on its awesomeness.
When it comes to taking your self-portrait for your Facebook profile photo, avoid cameras on phones that tend to take fuzzy photos. Digital cameras are often the safest option, and you can also experiment with various settings to capture the most stunning image.
By Julius Choudhury
When it comes to photography, the quality of your camera really does matter. We're not saying you have to purchase the most expensive camera there is - Instead, we're stressing the importance of a camera that takes sharp and focused photographs.
Nobody likes a blurry or speckled photograph, and the overall quality of a photograph really does impact on its awesomeness.
When it comes to taking your self-portrait for your Facebook profile photo, avoid cameras on phones that tend to take fuzzy photos. Digital cameras are often the safest option, and you can also experiment with various settings to capture the most stunning image.
By Julius Choudhury
