And why you as a photographer should try them...….
Today I want to discuss my self-portrait journey and give you some tips on creating your own self portraits!
Not everyone knows this but I started my photography journey by shooting self-portraiture. Choosing to photograph myself helped me hone my photography skills and helped me with my self-confidence. Life is not always easy and not always kind! Photography was my escape from reality and I created my own projects at home whenever I could.
When I look back, I think about the fact that self portraits were always there when I needed them. Through my insecurities, through setbacks. It was like a mirror, a point of reflection. If I was going through a period of stress I’d blast some of my favourite music and start shooting self portraits. Regardless of whether or not they turned out well, the process was quite therapeutic and I felt proud of what I could achieve on my own.
Back in march 2020 when lockdown first started I felt ok for the first few weeks with just organizing everything in my house and trying to keep my girls entertained and completing the never-ending to do list.
Then the ‘creative itch’ happened. The artist inside of me started to get irritable. I needed to start a photography project. Those familiar insecurities popped up and started to tap on my shoulder and I knew what I needed to do to help - create self portraits.
I surprised myself. I could see a shift in the way I approached the ‘new’ self portraits. No longer where the shots masked, hidden, over-styled, over-edited. There was a desire to create a character in a minimal setting who was stronger and in control of her space.
I have to admit, I got hooked!
Over the past few years, I have enjoyed the self portrait creation process and would LOVE to encourage some of you out there to try it (if you haven’t before!). Perhaps you’ve tried to do them but want to find a better way of approaching them. I hope these tips help you!
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1. HAVE PATIENCE
I started with this tip first because self portraiture requires a lot of patience! Don’t be discouraged! If this process is new to you, give it some time. Practice makes perfect!
Start with a small task - getting just one great self portrait using a simple backdrop and natural light. Don’t overcomplicate it and over-style the scene or yourself. Try to get an authentic photograph of yourself. This can also be used as your bio photo on your website or Instagram! A win win situation.
2. USE A SMARTPHONE APP, OR A REMOTE!
I use Nikon cameras, so I use the Nikon camera wireless mobility unit app. However many camera brands have apps that do a similar thing! The app allows me to use my smartphone as a remote and gives live view imaging of the camera via Wi-fi. I can also select my focus on the screen (super important) & see the composition as I’m shooting. I also like the fact I can view low res images on my phone and make selects. You’re probably thinking - how does she hide the phone when she does this? Good question! Many creative ways! I either hide it in a jacket pocket, under my arm or near a prop I sometimes put it on a chair or box next to me and edit it out if it’s in the frame. Whatever it takes to get the shot! Remotes & self-timers! - A remote is either wired or battery powered and allows you fire the shutter from a distance. Depending on your camera brand, there’s lots of options available for these. - Using a self-timer requires some patience as you are going back and forth to the camera to set the timer off for each shot. My best advice would be to focus on an object (such as a stool, tripod, light stand, a plant, or a willing family member! Kids and pets may need to be bribed!) and replace yourself with the object before the timer goes off.
3. USE A TRIPOD
A tripod allows you to place your camera at whatever angle you wish and gives you a lot more control. It also helps if you are using a slower shutter speed to stop any camera shake.
4. HAVE VISUAL REFERENCES!
I can’t stress this enough! The BEST way to get prepared for a shoot is to have visual references. This speaks for ALL genres of photography and especially those where you have to come up with posing ideas for people. Get yourself on Pinterest and start grabbing images that resonate with you. Chances are if you have a strong style as a photographer already, you’ll choose images that you usually would for your photoshoots.
If you’re feeling really creative - do something different to what you usually would. Self portraits are also an excellent way of pushing you to think outside of your creative box. Try new lighting, try new posing techniques.
5. THINK ABOUT THE STYLING!
Think about the way a fashion photographer would approach a shoot. Part of the success of the image is the styling. What mood are you trying to go for? Are you trying to shoot something that is authentically you? Or perhaps you want to step it up a notch and shoot a professional portrait for your LinkedIn or website?
Again visuals references are really important here. If you are not a pro at applying make up, there are plenty of tutorials out there that show you how to add a very simple but effective make up look, the same with hair styling! The idea is that you want the shot to look polished, so don’t overlook the hair, make up and styling!
6. GET CREATIVE!
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a self portrait! I remember my early self portrait projects being very DIY. You don’t have to spend a lot to make something look high production value. Some of my early self portraits were created using canvas wardrobes (as my background), bed sheets, charity shop props & cheap wigs and self-made outfits!
Here are a few ideas to help you get inspired below!
Bedsheets and patterned fabrics make for great backdrops!
Simple wigs, ribbons and tulle can make for interesting effects. Tulle can be used to create vintage looking collars.
Shoot through objects such as prisms and transparent coloured paper to create layered lighting or rainbow effects.
Get creative with poses. Even if it’s a simple background a creative pose can make a photograph really interesting. Think of strange hand shapes, or hands close to the camera.
Capture movement. One of my favourite things to do is to capture movement by using slow shutter speeds. This always looks amazing in black and white and plain dresses or tulle as it adds quite a ghostly look.
Use flowers. Whether real, dried or faux! Flowers add visual impact and are easy to get. You can make flower crowns or simply create a frame around your lens to add interesting bokeh or a colourful vignette!
Don’t forget to EXPERIMENT! Experimentation is when some of my best self portrait shots have happened! Sometimes you can plan spend hours planning a shoot but the shoot just doesn’t go to plan. Magic can happen in this space!
I hope you have found these tips helpful! If you decide to create a self portrait after reading this blog, I’d love for you to comment below!
See you on the next blog
Lucy Anne
xoxo
