On my recent trip to Paris, the selfie was a much indulged photographic style. Short of asking strangers to take our picture every ten minutes, turning the iphone around and snapping away was a much easier way to control the happy snaps, get the picture we wanted and make sure we got our best angle. Then I was taking selfies to send to my boyfriend (strictly headshots and he started it!) and then it was about the outfits I was getting around the most fashionable city in the world in. The selfie was a big part of our trip.
Now Westfield want to make the selfie a big part of your trip – naturally, to Paris – by giving you the chance to win a holiday. And all you have to do is take a picture of yourself. Seriously. You are taking those pictures anyway!
The team at Westfield have even put together a list of handy hints on how to take your best selfie.
1. Work the angles
For the best shot, hold your phone slightly above your eye level and away from you at a 45 degree angle. This decreases the possibility of double chins and creates a slim and trim image in your ‘selfie’.
2. Duck, duck GOOSE
How the “duck face” became a go-to pose for many ‘selfies’ is a question for the ages, as the result often leaves the subject of the pic looking like an utter goose! Just give a natural smile and let your individuality shine through!
3. Be a turtle!
Stand tall, with your neck extended upwards; extend your neck out and then bring it down ever so slightly. Lean in a bit forward and look up if you’re sitting.
4. Mirror, mirror?
This comes down to personal choice: can you steadily hold your smartphone at arm’s length while working your best angles? If not, experiment in front of the mirror to determine which angles are most pleasing for your face and use this as a guide for your shot.
Using a full length mirror allows to you show your outfit head-to-toe. Hold your camera or phone with one hand, slightly to the side and angle in, to capture both your outfit and your smiling face.
5. Let there be light!
Natural light is by far the most flattering and ensure your light source (i.e. the sun) is behind the camera, so that it illuminates you in your best light. If you are taking your selfie after the sun has gone down, make sure your light source is slightly higher than your face, as shots lit from below can give a ghoulish look (the technique is popular in horror films – probably not the look you’re aiming for).
6. Wear something you LOVE
Your body naturally sets itself in a posture that radiates confidence when you feel amazing and this will enhance your look even further. Choose something that fits you well and keep in mind that patterns can flatter you if there are some parts of your body you’re less confident with, while bright and bold tones add colour to your features.
Easy, right? And did I mention the $5000 spendning money? With 62% of women aged 18-35 taking selfies (The Westfield ‘Style It, Snap It, Share It’ Report, Launch date 11 March 2013, sample size 1000 people), you better start working those angles and smiling in the mirror. Good luck!
Find out more here.
