Bring Your Mirror Selfie To The Next Level
Want to show off your outfit without it getting lost in a sea of scrolling? The easiest way to do so is to change up how you take your fit pics. You don't need a fancy camera or a photographer's eye to take even the simplest of shots from a five to a ten.
1. Get Low
For a few of these, you might need help from a friend or tripod with remote shutter. If you want to make your legs look mile-long or show off an outfit from a new angle, get low, literally. Have your photographer (or tripod) sit on the ground and angle up for a model-ready shot in seconds.
2. Distribute Your Weight
Even the chicest of outfits can be marred by awkward posing. You may want to show off your clothes, but the last thing you want is to look like a mannequin! Mimic Renaissance statues by standing contrapposto with your weight resting on one leg for a sinuous S-curve.
3. Focus On Details
An outfit is the sum of its parts, and sometimes those parts deserve a spotlight. Honing in on a few details will make your pictures more engaging and dynamic. For example, a shot of your hand on your hip can highlight your top, bottoms, and accessories!
4. Know Your Angles
We'll talk more about angles in the second half of this article. A picture taken head-on is almost always less interesting than one taken at an angle. You can create angles through posing.
5. Choose Contrasting Colors
Color theory is your friend in helping those outfit pictures rack up likes. The best way to make a red dress pop is by using a green background. Similarly, colorful walls can make neutral tones shine!
6. Be Your Own Canvas
Another opportunity for details to shine, you can use your lap as your canvas for a flat lay. When seated, the angle allows for you to include your bottoms, accessories, and a bit of your top effortlessly. This is a great way to show off a flashy bag or new bracelet.
7. Interact With Your Environment
A dynamic pose will always, always be more interesting than a static one. So, have fun with it! Lean against a railing, raise a drink in celebration, or embrace your friends—they count as environment too.
8. Use Natural Lighting
Harsh or colorful lighting works well for artsy portrait shoots, not so much outfit pics. If you want to give your friends and followers the best representation of how you outfit actually looks, capture it in natural light. Get outdoors whenever possible.
9. Stand Back
Not every outfit pic has to be a full production; you can still make a simple mirror selfie shine. The easiest way to elevate a mirror selfie is to stand at least 3 feet from the mirror. Hold your camera parallel to the mirror somewhere between chest and eye level to avoid distortion.
Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash
10. Take Screenshots
Posing can be awkward, even for the most photogenic of us. An easy way to loosen up is to take a video of yourself trying out different poses and angles, then screenshot your faves for a more dynamic shot. Make sure to hold your poses for a few seconds so they don't come out blurry.
Now that we've explored a few ways to make your fit pics pop, let's explore some poses that will really make your photos stand out.
1. Strut Your Stuff
For a photo that's both natural and chic, walk toward the camera. Not only will the motion create eye-catching lines, but it won't feel overly artificial the way some poses do. Be aware of your surroundings in public.
2. Three-Quarter Turn
The three-quarter turn is a classic for a reason: it's universally flattering. Halfway between a headshot and a profile, this pose shows off all your best angles. This pose is especially effective if you're shooting from the waist or thighs up.
3. Touch Your Hair
Freshly-washed and styled hair can be the secret weapon in your arsenal. You can gather it at the base of your neck to make a sharp line and show off your back, then let it fall down for maximum movement. And don't underestimate using hair as a shield when you aren't feeling your face.
4. Twirl
Another one of the oldest tricks in the book. If you're wearing a flowy skirt or dress, the best way to show it off is by giving a little twirl. You'll get a joyful and candid shot.
5. Seated Selfie
For a more simple selfie, pull a chair or stool in front of the mirror and park yourself in it. You'll highlight and lengthen your legs with minimal effort. It's cozy and relaxed but still posed.
6. Step Off The Curb
Urban settings are great for showing off outfits. Lengthen your legs and show off some fun pants by getting a shot just as you step off the curb. Remember to look both ways!
7. Prop A Foot Up
Take a load off and prop your leg up behind you. This pose is an easy-breezy fave for a reason. Like the seated mirror selfie, it's casual but still thought through.
Stefano Bucciarelli on Unsplash
8. Exaggerated Leaning
One of the most important rules of posing is to have fun with it! An exaggerated lean with one foot out like you're about to fall is cute and quirky in a '60s mod sort of way. Be the protagonist of your own rom-com.
9. Play Shy
Sometimes, an outfit is about the clothes, not the person wearing it. There are plenty of cool and dynamic poses that highlight your body while covering up your face. You could hold a newspaper up, let your hair fall forward, or hide behind a billowing sleeve.
MohamadReza Khashay on Unsplash
10. Show Off Your Curves
There's nothing wrong with showing off your assets. The reverse or over-the-shoulder selfie is a classic for a reason. Not only does it accentuate those lovely curves, but it shows how your clothing naturally falls on your body.
