How to Take Better Selfies

I will start by saying I’m not a fan of the traditional selfie style photo. The one where you just stretch your arm out with the front facing camera open, and snap the photo. Major dislike. Especially dislike when I see the same person posting basically the exact same selfie photo over, and over, and over. I guess a new one for each day? Your face may be lovely, but I don’t need to see the same photo over and over. I’m sorry but it’s boring and uninspired. 

I definitely get it though – I myself love getting pictures and pictures do look better with a person in them. I’m going to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they favor this style of photo because it’s difficult or inconvenient to do anything else. It’s awkward and not easy to get others to take photos for you, and due to the antomy of the arm, there’s only so many angles and distances you can get.

I’d like to share a tip that can help get better photos which only slightly more effort. It’s probably something you’ve even heard before.

Get a tripod and remote. But wait – I’m not talking about a bulky photography set up. 

Specifically, get this tripod and remote:

Phone Tripod, Flexible Cell Phone Tripod Adjustable Camera Stand Holder with Wireless Remote and Universal Clip 360° Rotating Mini Tripod Stand for iPhone, Samsung Android Phone, Sports Camera GoPro

I bought it, and it’s perfect for the barn. It clips right onto your phone and then use the legs to attach it to nearly anything. Attach it to stall bars, wall hangings, hooks, etc.. Anything that has a hole large enough for one of the little legs to go through. The other legs work for stability and setting up the angle you want. It comes with a remote that will trigger the shutter. It works through bluetooth and works with both android and iOs. 

To take the best picture, here are the steps I’d recommend:

1. Find the spot to put your phone, and attach it with the legs. 
2. With the phone already in camera mode, view the preview and determine if you’re at the best angle, have the approperiate distance and light.
3. Take note of where you need to position yourself in the photo – ex. There’s a spot on the concrete, to get the best photo I need to be two feet from that. It’s easy to go out of frame, so make sure you note the range the camera is picking up.
4. Get in position, and snap away with the remote. For some variety, move around and keep clicking the remote. You’ll end up with a whole variety of potential keepers. 

I have only had this thing a few weeks, but I love it. I almost never get photos of myself with the horses, and this lets me finally get photos with them. It’s also portable – I keep it in my purse most of the time in the hopes that an opportunity for a photo will pop up. I used it attached to a bench to get a photo of Dave and I together. 

Tripod attached to bench

It’s easier to carry around than a big camera and tripod, and it can be used so many ways. It’s not going to be perfect for every situation, but it has let me get photos that I otherwise would not have gotten at all. I’m hoping I’ll be able to use it out on trail rides – perhaps attach it to a branch, and then move into position? We’ll see… hopefully no phones will be left behind!

Even if you don’t do the “selfie” pose, I think it’s worth it for more photos. It’s a really neat device, and pretty cheap. But, again, I love photos in general. Let me know if you decide to give it a try, or if you have one already. I would love to know if having one of these helps you out!