Self Portrait Tips

A few folk have reached out to us saying they wanted some tips on taking their photos. So I’ve put together some things to think about that might make taking your hottie photo easier.

1. Location – many of the Hotties photos over the years have been taken in interesting location, eg on SF trams, near famous buildings, with the city as a backdrop. We love those images, but feel free to mix things up a bit this year (after all the focus is you as the Hottie), take your photo in the exchange, on outreach, or just wherever you feel comfortable being a bit exposed.
   
   
2. Background – decide if you want interesting stuff in the background (syringe boxes, posters, the Mona Lisa or Betty White riding on a Harley), or do you want to go plain and simple.
   
   
3. Props – ‘Masks’ are of course the theme this year… how you wear them though is up to you. Consider using other props (big syringes, sharps bins, suits of armour, or even a small gekko called Bernard).
   
   
4. Stable – err… we mean the camera of course. If you are taking the photo by yourself either use a tripod or think about fixing your phone to something using sticky putty (ok… in all honesty I have no idea what Americans call their putty, here in the UK we call it Blue-Tac… I’ve been down a internet rabbit hole trying to find the US version… poster tac? I have no clue).
   
   
5. Use a timer – and burst mode of your phone has it, you’ll maybe take a few attempts to get a shot you like but the burst mode helps.
   
   
6. Composition – while a photo with you in the middle of the frame can be fantastic consider using some basic “rules” of composition… for instance the “rule” of thirds

7. Get twisted – people tend to take photos trying to make them as level as possible, but putting your camera/phone on a twisted angle can really work. Think about putting the camera on the floor and shooting up, or tac it (seriously what do you folks call Blue-Tac?!) to the ceiling.