With social media sites like Facebook being the most visited sites, a lot of people have been focusing on taking pictures of themselves. We’ve all seen it, the cliché photos in the bathroom, or the classic mirror picture where you are see the person’s cell phone or camera snapping the picture. The truth is that we can get more creative with this. Taking a picture of yourself can be fun and creative. Self portraits have been popular throughout art and photography history. Artists have always done paintings or drawings of themselves, and photographers always have been taking wonderful photos of themselves.

Self portraits are meant to be creative, and to capture who we really are. When you post a new profile picture on Facebook, you don’t want to look like an average person in a typical bathroom. You want your photo to look appealing but still natural. There are simple ways to take your own great photo. With these tips you can be taking a beautiful photo of yourself that everyone and yourself will love.

Be confident and patient
Be confident and have patience. If you don’t feel confident, you will only get upset and be dissatisfied, and it will show through the pictures. You have to have patience. You may have to take numerous photos before you get the right one, and you should be aware of that ahead of time.

Invest in a Tripod and Timer
The best way to take a self portrait is to have a camera with a timer, and have a tripod. Almost all newer cameras have a built in timer. If you are unsure you can always read through the manual for instructions. A tripod is a great thing for any photographer to invest in. The can be very inexpensive if you do your shopping correctly.

Know Your Poses
Have a pose or poses in mind before you start photographing. You don’t want to over think the poses though. The most natural poses are the best. No one can recreate how you specifically act while being yourself. Being natural also creates a feeling of comfort to those viewing it. If you are overly posed it gives the sense that you are not being real. Anyone could do that same exact pose, and it would look the same. Be yourself, and it will make all the difference.

Know Your Location
Know ahead of time of the location you are choosing to photograph. By having a preset location you can already start thinking about lighting and contrast. If you are planning to take the photo outside you want to note the specific time of day and the weather conditions. For example, if it’s a sunny day you’ll know that you won’t need the use of flash. If it is a cloudy day you will know that you need flash. If you are photographing inside be sure to choose a pleasing background and area. You want to make sure that there is not any unintended objects in the picture..

Know Your Distance
You have to be very aware of your distance. Know how far away you want to be from the camera and how far away you actually are. If you’re using a timer and tripod, look through the camera first and make a marker of where you’d like to stand. This could save you a lot of hassle, and save you a couple retakes. Having a pre set distance can add to the photo greatly. Some photos could be improved by having a better distance, so if you already have a great distance then you are on the track to a great photo.

Add Contrast
You want to add contrast to your photo. If you don’t do that it will look just as ordinary as the next. A good tip is to wear the opposite color clothing than your background. If you’re taking a picture against a white wall, wear black. This will add contrast to the photo, and make it very obvious that you are the focal point.

Be The Center of Interest
You are the main subject, which makes you the center of interest. Take a photo that stands out, and most importantly, is interesting. Look at other peoples self portraits and find the ones that you love. Use those as a goal to work towards, or a starting point to get your creative juices running.

Don’t Stress yourself!
Have fun! This doesn’t have to be a stressful thing. Take your own picture when you are relaxed, comfortable, and ready. If a few photos don’t come out right; take the time to laugh at yourself. If you do this it will be a lot more fun and interesting.