How to Take Photos By Yourself

I’m sure that most of us, especially my fellow content creators, know the feeling when you have an amazing outfit and you’re in the mood to go out and take pictures. But there’s one big problem, you don’t have anyone to help you take the photos. Well, there’s no need to be discouraged for that reason! There are many ways you can go out and take pictures without the help of anyone else. Believe it or not, it’s actually easier than you may think, and I’m going to show you how.

1. Find a Good Location

Depending on who you are, where you choose to shoot your photos is vital. If you’re anything like me, pulling out a tripod and shooting photos in front of random people can be really scary. This is why somewhere like a parking garage can be your best friend! There’s no one around, people are focused on where they need to go, and it serves as a cool background for your photos. The main thing you need to worry about when finding a good location is the lighting. This is why a parking garage can sometimes be a hit or miss since it’s partially indoors. Make sure to find a place with good enough lighting so that your photos will come out awesome!

2. Get a Tripod

This is probably the most important and most obvious thing you need when you go and take pictures by yourself. Since you will be alone, you need to find a way to prop up your camera so that you can actually be seen in the photos. You can balance your camera on a pile of books or on a wall, but I find that investing in a tripod is a much easier way to take your photos. When you have a tripod, you can adjust it to certain heights and angles so that your photos will come out looking more fascinating. I linked the tripod I used at the bottom of this post if you want to check it out!

3. Props

When taking photos by yourself, it’s hard to not look awkward (at least for me). Getting something like a purse or sunglasses will really help you avoid having awkward hands in your photos. You’ll also have more poses and things to do with your body which will overall make the photos come out better! What you choose to hold doesn’t need to be an accessory, it could be something simple like a water bottle or a leash if you happen to be taking pictures with a pet. Spice up your outfit and add those cute accessories!

4. Self-Timer, Clicker, or App?

You need to find a way to capture your photos, given that you will be the one taking them. A lot of people who take pictures on their own use a self-timer that is built into their camera app. I find that this is a bit tedious because you have to repeatedly come back to your phone to restart the timer. A clicker is a great option because you can take your photos without having to come back to your phone, but you have to make sure to find a way to hide it so it doesn’t show up in your photos. This is why I use an awesome app called Lens Buddy! It’s a hands-free way of taking your photos without having to go back and forth to your phone or having to hide a clicker. It continuously takes your photos in whatever time increment you choose, and I think it’s extremely helpful. It’s free on the app store so go and check it out!

5. Start Posing & Don’t Care About What People Think!

I know I know, easier said than done. Confidence is key when taking photos, so if you’re feeling unsure of yourself it will most likely show. It’s totally fine if you don’t have the best self confidence, but my best advice is to fake it until you make it! Hype yourself up on the way to your chosen location, play your feel-good music, and remind yourself that if you see someone staring at you, you’ll probably never see them again. Before going out to shoot your photos, practice your poses in the mirror to figure out which ones are best for you. Good luck and remember, you are awesome don’t underestimate yourself!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! I hope these tips helped you! Be sure to subscribe for updates on when I post and follow me on social media @heyjnelle. Leave blog post suggestions down below and tell me what you thought about this one! Be safe and good luck on your next photoshoot!

Here’s the tripod I used!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NWC3L95/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1