In the world (and space!) of selfies, the photos that are ultimately posted to Instagram are rarely—if ever—taken on the first try. Our selfies can be broken down into three categories: Hot Mess (Delete that immediately!), Normal Human Being (meh), and Frame-Worthy (POSTING THAT NOW!). It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority fall into that Hot Mess category because for most of us, it takes a couple—um, or more—tries to get the totally Frame-Worthy, presentable for the world to see, selfie.
Meanwhile, Instagram superstars like Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and National Geographic ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) have taken the selfie game to the next level. Fear not. You can learn from the likes of Queen Bey and rescue your pics from the trash can. Here are three simple tips that will help you take your selfies from the camera roll directly to your wall.
Lights, Lights, Lights, Camera, Action!
A frame-worthy selfie is made or ruined in the lighting. Incandescent bulbs, flashes, and other sources of bad lighting can cause shiny hotspots, skin discoloration, and glare. In contrast (lighting pun intended), good lighting can make you appear absolutely angelic.
Generally, natural light is your best friend (particularly during the “golden hour” shortly after sunrise or before sunset). Just try to avoid direct rays and hard shadows.
If you’re stuck inside, try sitting near a window and face the light. At the very least, avoid any super bright lights and fixtures. And puh-lease don’t let the flash from your phone destroy a perfect selfie!
What’s Your Angle?
There’s a good reason why almost all of Kimmie’s selfies see her posed with chin down, head tilted, and camera raised above face level; frame-worthy selfies are all about finding the most flattering angle and emphasizing your best side.
The simple trick is to shoot from above, stretch your neck toward the camera (it’ll feel weird but prevents a double chin), and tip your head to one side. It may take a few attempts before you figure out what works best for you but keep experimenting.
When taking a full-body or mirror selfie, it’s especially important to consider angling your body. Straight-on shots are awkward, less flattering, and don’t accentuate your best features. This isn’t a police lineup; strike a pose, turn your shoulders, and have some fun.
Now, if we could only explain the duck face.
It’s All in the Editing
Taking a frame-worthy selfie is a process, and editing is a huge step in that process. You won’t take a perfect picture every time, but you can transform photos from meh to amazing through smart editing.
First things first, be sure to crop out any distracting, messy, or humiliating parts of your photo. That’s not how you want to become internet famous. Also consider the composition of the shot before settling on the final cut.
Finally, fiddle with the Instagram filters at your disposal. The right filter can give you the perfect look. Whether it be retro, dreamy, or natural, choosing a good filter can make your selfie pop. Remember, it’s easy to go overboard with filters. Take a “less is more” approach to start; it should be Amaro, not Amar-oh-no.
You’re On Your Way
The next time you’re about to snap a selfie, try to remember these three simple tips. You’ll be well on your way to capturing a frame-worthy selfie like Instagram’s power players (of course, it must be nice to have a dedicated social media team… just saying).
And, once you’ve taken that perfect selfie, there’s no better way to celebrate than proudly sharing it with the world. Fortunately, you can turn your stunning selfie into an amazing piece of art and display it on your wall in a custom-made 5x5 frame from FramedIt.com.
Just head over to our custom framing tool, login to your Instagram account, and upload your perfect selfie. Best of all, the whole process is quick and easy (way easier than taking a frame-worthy selfie).
Good luck and keep selfie-ing!