• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Live Laugh Rowe
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • The Rowes
    • In The Press
    • PR & Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Resources
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers/Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dishes
    • Sandwiches
    • Skinny Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups/Chilis
    • Weight Watchers
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • Decor
    • DIY Projects
    • Fall Projects
    • Holidays
    • Home Projects
  • Printables
  • Shop My Home
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Subscribe
Live Laugh Rowe

Live Laugh Rowe

A lifestyle blog that shares crafts, recipes, tutorials and life's moments.

  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • The Rowes
    • In The Press
    • PR & Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Resources
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers/Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dishes
    • Sandwiches
    • Skinny Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups/Chilis
    • Weight Watchers
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • Decor
    • DIY Projects
    • Fall Projects
    • Holidays
    • Home Projects
  • Printables
  • Shop My Home
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Subscribe

Self Portraits: Five Tips

07/13/2012 · Kelly Rowe · 13 Comments

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pin
Share
Post
Share

Hi!  I’m Kristine, the gal behind the camera at Kristine Lynn Photography.  I’m super excited that Kelly asked me to sponsor this self portrait mini series.  I hope that you’ll find some inspiration to grab your camera, experiment, have fun and link up with us on  July 27th!

I recently grabbed my camera on a Saturday afternoon and decided to challenge myself and take some casual/comfortable self portraits.  In the past, I’ve always done it with a point and shoot camera because it’s easier, {just sayin’} but this time I wanted to use my Canon 5D MarkII.  I learned quite a bit, but enjoyed the challenge of understanding how to the hold the camera, where was the best place to shoot in my apartment, and how to achieve different shots/angles.  So, I thought I would share a few tips with you based on my experience and encourage you to try it out!  Now, I’ll preface upfront that I took several with the camera held in front of my face, but because it was the first time with my MarkII and it’s much heavier than a point and shoot, I had little expectations and wasn’t sure I would like any of the images {grin}.

5 Basic Tips to Capture Your Own Self Portrait:


Determine a location that has sufficient light.
I captured my images by the French door leading to the deck off my apartment. The lighting was AMAZING!! Window light is ideal, but if you have a well lit room…try it out and see.

Use a reflective surface.
I used an over the door mirror. Reflective surfaces offer a lot of variety based on your creativity. Just remember to look at the camera in the mirror and do not use a flash {smiles}. I didn’t look at the camera for some of my images and LOVED them….so keep that in mind as well. Think creatively.

Hold the camera at various distances.
In these images, I wasn’t even holding the camera at arm’s length, but I think that you have to find the distance that works for you and is comfortable. Holding the camera closer to you will capture more expression and details.  You may find that you like that a bit more.

Take several shots.
You are your worst critic, so keep shooting until you find the perfect shot…or maybe you’ll capture several!  The key is to be patient with yourself and with your camera.

Challenge yourself.
If you want to capture self portraits regularly…try different things like lighting, posing, locations, and angles. Trust me…the sky is the limit!! I know some ladies that have done the 365 self portrait challenges where you take a picture of yourself every day. Now that is a challenge!!

These tips are basic, I know…but sometimes it helps to have pointers when wanting to try something out. It took me awhile to figure out how to hold the camera and what distances I liked and what worked best. I also found that I was trying too hard at times and my expressions were “fake” {trust me…if you saw all the shots, you’d have a good laugh}.  Do you have any pointers you’d like to share?  Leave them in the comments.  I’d love to see them!

Next week, I’ll share some of my self portraits along with my camera settings, and so forth.  We’ll also be sharing some of the rules to the link up.  So, be sure to start capturing your self portraits over the next couple of weeks, we’d {love} to have link them up on the 27th!  Please note that you do NOT need a professional camera.  Camera phone shots, point and shoots, and/or Instagram photos are ALL welcome.  One winner will be chosen and will win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card. Here’s to capturing an AMAZING self portrait!!

Brought to you by:



Subscribe
 to Updates | Like on Facebook | Follow on Pinterest

Pin
Share
Post
Share

Related Posts

Festive Winter Printable

Winter Self-Care Printable

For the Love of Photography + Giveaway {Guest Blogger:: Top Ten Tuesday}

Four vintage patent prints for the taking!! Patent art is trending right now and these are for all the photography lovers. Sized at 16x20, the possibilities are endless. livelaughrowe.com

Camera Patent Art | Free Vintage Patent Prints

woman applying cream to face

Winter Skin Care Tips

Self Portrait Examples

Strawberry Fields in Springfield, MO

the Weekender

Photography, Self Portrait Series

Previous Post: « Live Laugh {Linky} #18
Next Post: Vintage Mirror Makeover | A Sneak Peek »
about kelly

ABOUT KELLY

A DIY fanatic, Kelly shares her journey through her blog, Live Laugh Rowe, where she showcases her recipes, tutorials, crafts, home projects, and all things DIY. This East Coast Girl at heart believes family is number one as she finds the perfect balance of being a daughter, wife, sister, entrepreneur, writer and woman of God. Be sure to follow along as she shares her passion for life, love and family! Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Dana {crafted niche} says

    07/13/2012 at 2:40 pm

    Great tips! I can’t wait to start snappin away!

    Reply
  2. Jelli says

    07/13/2012 at 7:31 pm

    I need all the tips I can get as far as photography is concerned. Thanks for this, Kristine.

    Reply
  3. Beth Baker says

    07/16/2012 at 8:25 pm

    So needed these! I struggle with self portraits, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Shirley@motivatedmommyoftwo says

    07/17/2012 at 1:18 pm

    I was waiting for this mini series to get started, I am my worst critic that is for sure. I have to retake a picture several times before I like it. But usually they are not self portraits. Going to get started with this today.
    Thank you for the tips

    Reply
  5. Shiloh says

    07/18/2012 at 12:03 pm

    That’s definitely something I haven’t tried yet. It’s really interesting to know how though.:)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      07/18/2012 at 2:02 pm

      Hi Shiloh! Give it whirl and link up with us on the 27th. We’d love to have you!!

  6. Tauni says

    07/19/2012 at 12:38 am

    Thanks for sharing this at Show and Tell on SNAP! I can use all the help I can get when it comes to photography and I am looking forward to reading this mini series.

    xoxo, Tauni

    Reply
  7. Debi Bolocofsky says

    07/19/2012 at 1:53 pm

    Great Post. I have a Blog Hop, and I would love it if you would link this post. You can find it at
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/07/surf-spray-and-wednesdays-adorned-from.html
    It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop.
    I hope to see you there. Have a great Day.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com

    Reply
  8. Cassie says

    07/20/2012 at 3:43 pm

    Great tips but I am curious to know what lens (for the DSLR users) you would recommend?

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Looking for something?

Hey there! I’m Kelly.

I’m the author, creator, cook, and photographer behind the blog. I am so glad you’re here!  I’m passionate about life, family, and my faith. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey, life is hard, but God is good.  Read More

Top Pin on Pinterest:

Festive Winter Printable

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Looking for something?

Copyright © Live Laugh Rowe, LLC • Privacy Policy • Log in