How To Easily Take Photos of Yourself For Instagram or Your Blog
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Instagram and Pinterest are filled with pictures of gorgeous empowering women living their oh so perfect looking lives and seem to conveniently always have a photographer at their side.
It wasn’t until after I started my blog that, instead of just admiring all of their beautiful pictures, I started to ask the question, who the heck is taking all of their photos? And how can I do that for my blog?
Is there a photographer with them 24/7? For some, they are lucky enough to have a significant other who is a great photographer, and for others, they really are booking shoots with photographers all the time!
But after some Googling and trial and error, I figured out how to easily shoot photos of myself all on my own and you can too! No need to spend money on a photographer every week or force your husband into those photography classes!
How to Take Photos of Yourself For Your Instagram or Blog!
My Equipment:
- Photography Softbox lights set
- A 72″ Camera Tripod – I use this one!
- Canon Rebel T6 DSLR Camera – Get a KILLER deal here!
- An iPhone or Android
- The Free Canon Camera Connect App
- SD card iPhone Adapter (optional) – I have this one.
The Process:
1. First Set up a background for yourself!
My favorite spot to take pictures is on my bed because there is natural light from my window and I love the brightness of the comforter and white wall. But you can sit on your couch, or even just stand in front of a wall.
2. Next, set up your lights!
Try to use as much natural light where you can like in front of a window. Then fill in the shadows with the softbox lights. If there is no natural light, (shooting at night) place the lights on either side of you to fill the shadows. See my light set up on the image above!
3. Set up the camera.
I use a 72″ tripod because I am 5’9″ so when I’m standing I want my camera to be able to be at eye level. So I set up my camera on the tripod at right about eye level where ever I am.
4. Connect the camera to your phone via the Canon Camera Connect app.
To connect a Rebel T6 to the app:
- First, download the app.
- Click menu on your camera.
- Swipe over to the 3rd wrench icon.
- Then Select ” Wi-Fi function”
- Select the phone icon
- Select “connect”
- Click “OK”
- Now on your phone, connect to your camera’s wifi in your settings.
- Then open the Canon Connect app and select “Remote Live View Shooting”
- Now you will be able to adjust your camera settings (if in manual) and shoot from your phone!
5. Set your camera on the 2-second timer via the app. Or just manually on your camera.
6. Start snapping!
This is the tricky part! Use the app to see what the shot looks like and figure out the poses that work for you and start snapping. I preview a pose that I think looks good, click the shutter button on my phone, and very quickly hide my phone from the shot by throwing it behind me really quick or simply putting my hand out of sight! It takes some practice but it works! You can then preview what you just shot all on the app without ever moving.
My Pro tips:
Take lots of photos in one shoot:
I usually take a bunch of photos in one shoot with all kinds of poses then edit and delete later. Better to keep your grove than to start and stop and start again when you realize you don’t have the shot you want.
Transfer the photos on to your phone then airdrop them to your computer for editing.
After I have finished my solo shoot, I like to transfer all the photos directly on to my phone then do the elimination process there. I do this because photos can look slightly different on a phone than a computer. And where I use most of my photos go on Instagram, and the majority of my audience views my blog from their phones, it makes more sense for me. That is why I love my SD card to iPhone adapter! Get one here!
Editing makes all the difference!
If you haven’t invested in Adobe Lightroom, now is the time! Some good editing can take a good photo to a great photo!
Remember practice makes perfect and lighting can make all the difference! If you want to see how I edit all my photos in Lightroom read the post and watch the video here!
Want to start your own blog? Get my step by step tutorial here!
The Comments
stephanie
i LOVE this. i struggle with the photo aspect of my blog/social media and i’ve been thinking about how desperately i need a light kit. knowing that you use one in addition natural light has really got me convinced i need to get one.
Cassie Scroggins
stephanieIt really makes things so much easier because you’re not having to chase the sun! And they’re cheap!
Reija
eBay sells very cheap one button clickers which eliminates all running around. I have a Nikon D3300 and after I tell my camera to wait for a clicker, it works perfectly.
Cassie Scroggins
ReijaThat’s awesome! I know so many people use clickers and remotes but I’m so particular about my photos that I like to be able to see my photos throughout the shoot without having to run back to the camera! Whatever works for you!
Mariah
This was a great blog post Cassie! This will definitely help me tremendously. I also have a Canon Rebel T6. What lens do you use?
Cassie Scroggins
MariahThanks Mariah! I use the one that came with the camera, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. Hope that helps!
Amanda
Great ideas (PS: tiny little typo: “Take lost of photos in one shoot”)
Can’t wait to try these ideas out! Thanks for writing this!
Cassie Scroggins
Amanda*face palm* Thanks Amanda!
Audrey
Hi Cassie,
Your explanations are so easy and there are not a lot of steps to shoot photos properly.
Having a camera with wifi make the difference because you can do everything from your phone.
Now i’m gonna watch your editing video 🙂 And I agree, lightroom is THE BEST !!!
Thank you for your work. Audrey
Jen
AudreyI know you wrote this a while ago but thank you Cassie! I do have questions. I dont know if you can help me or not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, right?! I don’t have a an actual camera. I only have my phone, which is an Android. I have thought about getting a tripod that holds the phone & allows you to taken pics that way .. do you think that would at least help?? Im probably not making much sense. And if this is all I have to work with … my funds are low. What can I do about lighting? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!
Sadaf
JenHey Jen, natural light is the best. Try to stand in front of a window with a lot of light. Use your phone camera
Jesseca Stewart
Great post thank you so much! 🙂
Shannon
Hi there! Which softbox lights do you use? Your links aren’t working. Thank you!
Cassie Scroggins
ShannonShoot! I updated the links now! They should work!
Arlin
I’d love to do all this but as a non-photographer and with a site that doesn’t feature photography, I feel like I can’t justify investing in all the equipment. I need a “how to take photos with your phone that are good enough for Instagram” post!
Cassie Scroggins
ArlinI’ll have to make one!
Leticia
I am planning my own branding shoot and these are great tips! I’ve never even heard of the SD adapter!! Awesome and just purchased it!😅. Thanks , Cassie!!!
Vio
Great tips for static shots! However, with or without a “real” photographer, if you can find someone to take those pictures for you, it would be so much better, since taking action pictures of yourself would be almost impossible using a remote setup.
speciallyher
Hi,
I couldn’t even get to read your post because of all the annoying ads and popups.
I would usually just click off the tab but I feel like I had to let you know because it’s a shame 🙁
Victoria Lucy Rose
Thankyou for these tips, will definitely consider buying a tripod as I find taking decent pics of myself or of other things indoors really difficult.
Pamela
amazing post, i loved the ideas. thanks for sharing.
Lauren Martin
Oh I didn’t know you can have access on it through a smartphone. I usually set up / pose / shoot / check and repeat the process until I’m satisfied, it can get very tiring. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Karissa Bradley
Thanks for sharing what equipment you use! I didn’t know canon had an app that could do that. So far I’ve been using my Iphone and a remote shutter (which is not working so great) and I love the system you’ve got!
Rahul Dubey
Great pro tips! Taking lots of photos in one go is a game-changer, and editing later saves you from the start-stop hassle. Keeping the groove alive is key!
Yours Truly
Rahul Dubey
https://learndigitalwithrahul.com