Let’s be real.. shooting self portraits can feel verryy awkward. You set up the camera, hit the timer, strike a pose, and then cringe looking at the results thinking “Who the fuck is that?”
But here’s the thing: self-portraits can be one of the most powerful tools in your creative arsenal.. if you learn how to do them right. Not just for flexing your sick fits or feeding the gram, but for telling stories, expressing real emotion, and building confidence behind and in front of the lens.. Also i think it helps understanding what it’s like being the subject.
So here’s how I shoot self portraits that feel intentional, creative, and not like a bad Tinder selfie from 2014
1. Treat It Like a Real Shoot
Don’t just wing it. Plan your concept like you would for a client:
• What’s the vibe? Dark and moody? Dreamy and vulnerable? Chaotic and raw?
• What emotion are you trying to capture? How does it make the consumer feel?
• What props, outfits, lighting, or location would bring that out?
Give yourself the respect of taking your own portraits seriously. You’re the talent and the photographer.
2. Use a Tripod and Remote Trigger (or Just Timer + Hustle)
If you don’t have a remote, the 10- 5- second timer and a bit of running back and forth will do the trick. But a remote (or even better, a phone app that controls your camera) gives you way more freedom to focus on posing and composition.
No more guessing if you’re in frame. No more awkward crouching. Just more control over your shots.
3. Light Like You Mean It
You already know lighting makes or breaks a shot. For self portraits, it’s everything. Some favs:
• Window light for soft, flattering vibes
• One harsh light source for that edgy, dramatic look
• Backlighting with haze or texture for mood
• Use shadows, reflections, curtains, mirrors, whatever you’ve got. Get weird with it.
4. Express Something Real (Don’t Just Pose)
This is the big one.
Selfies are about looking cute.
Self-portraits are about feeling something.
Don’t just stand there trying to look hot. Get into a character. Think about a moment, a memory, a version of yourself that’s got something to say. Let your face and body reflect that. Cry, laugh, scream, look dead in the eyes whatever feels real to you.
5. Use Manual Focus Tricks
Autofocus isn’t always your friend when you’re behind and in front of the camera. A couple hacks:
• Stand in place, use something (like a mic stand, broom, stool) to pre focus, then lock focus in manual.
• Shoot with a slightly higher aperture (like f/4 or f/5.6) to give yourself some wiggle room with depth of field.
• Take test shots and adjust till it hits.
6. Edit With Intention, Not Ego
Don’t over smooth your face or over-sharpen your eyes please im so over it lol. You’re not trying to impress a tragic dating app.. you’re building a visual story. Let your skin texture show. Let the emotion come through.
Presets help set the tone, but don’t hide behind a filter. Use color grading, overlays, and shadows to amplify the feeling, not just the aesthetics.
Want a head start? I’ve got self portrait friendly Lightroom presets that are built for moody, emotional storytelling. No plastic skin, no fake vibes.
7. Shoot Through the Mess
You’ll take 100 photos. 90 will be weird. 5 will be accidentally cool. And maybe 1 will hit you in the chest and make you go “oh fuck… that’s me.”
That’s the one.
Shoot through the discomfort. Keep experimenting. Cringe is part of the process. Keep going anyway.
Final Thoughts
Self portraits aren’t about vanity.. they’re about vulnerability, creativity, and owning your damn story. When you stop posing for the algorithm and start shooting for yourself, that’s when the magic happens.
So next time you pick up the camera, don’t flinch. Don’t fake it.
Shoot the version of you that needs to be seen <3