The Art of Getting The Perfect Selfie
Earlier this year while attending the Disney Social Media Moms On the Road event, I realized that during three years at the DSMMs conference, I had never gotten a picture of myself with Gary Buchanan, Disney’s Social Media Managing Editor. Getting selfies is the latest thing and I’ve found it kind of fun because it’s so personal. During a conversation with him, I asked if he would pose for a selfie with me and of course, he agreed. Well, I have short arms and getting a good picture means having the camera in just the right spot. I asked if Gary would hold the camera because his arms are longer.
Unbeknownst to me, there is selfie etiquette. Gary politely schooled me on it. He said that for it to be a selfie, you have to take it yourself. Otherwise, it’s the other person’s selfie. As an example, he referenced Ellen DeGeneres’ famous selfie shot explaining that it was not actually Ellen’s selfie. It was Bradley Cooper’s. Ever since then, I’ve tried to make sure I take time to figure out the best way to get a good shot. It’s not easy.
During a Stream Team tour of Netflix this past summer, I recall one of the blogger’s walking around with one of those selfie sticks. She was using it to get shots above the crowd. Another blogger at the BlogHer conference toted her selfie stick around everywhere explaining that it’s a tool that everyone who takes pictures needs.
Now I understand why…Not only is the camera great for getting great pictures but it also is fantastic for video!
We told you about our Mpow bluetooth headset a few months back but now we have a new gadget from them: the Mpow iSnap Pro Bluetooth Remote Shutter. The concept is pretty simple. It’s a monopod that is designed to be held upright or outright. It contains an adjustable head to fit most phones.
It has a telescoping handle that allows the user to adjust the length. After setting the camera to the preferred video or photo position, activating the camera is as simple as clicking a button on the handle of the iSnap Pro. Ahhh… the beauty of Bluetooth technology.
It’s that simple and the photos are much better than what someone can get at arm’s length.
In addition to the iSnap Pro, we also checked out Mpow’s 3 in 1 Fisheye Wide Angle Macro lens. The fisheye lens simply attaches to any cell phone to give the photos some character. As you can see from the above photo, it gives a distorted fishbowl appearance. For someone who doesn’t want to mess around with using software to modify the photos, this lens is an easy option. The set also has a macro lens that uses the same attachment.
If you are struggling for ideas on what to get your teen (or best friend who loves to take pictures) then these photo accessories are a great option. For a limited time, save 20% on this item on Amazon when you purchase 1 or more Mpow® 3 in 1 Clip-On Fisheye + Wide Angle+ Macro Lens for Cellphones offered by Patozon. Enter code “ISNAPPRO” at checkout. (Some restrictions apply). Keep up with the latest news by liking Mpow on Facebook.
I really need one of these. I never end up in photos since I am always the one taking them and I am not a fan of how my selfies turn out. This would be perfect for that.
I am not one to take selfies at all LOL But this is a neat tool! And I would totally use that lens for other stuff!
That is so cool – and so practical! I take the worst selfies!
I tell you that this is amazing for taking selfies. I have not heard of this telescoping handle device to help take a selfie. I will have to let the people in life know about this awesome gadget!
Wow, with as many selfies as my daughter takes, I could see her with this in the hands at all times. Never knew about it until now
This is so cool, I’ve never heard of anything like this. I’ll have to check it out!
What a great article. I’ve seen some really, REALLY bad selfies out there. A lot of them were mine! 😉
What great accessories to finally be in the picture! I need to learn how to take a good selfie
Ha I have three teenagers and a 7 year old who would get a kick out of this they love taking cheesy selfies of themselves and photo bombing each other. ha I’ll have to add this to their Christmas wish list.
I love this! I need to try this out. I do selfies often and even though I’m not a fan they can be fun!
I am not really big on taking selfies, but I could get on board with this selfie stick. I could even use it for videos for business
I saw on my facebook feed that some place was trying to ban the selfie stick. I wonder if this was what they were talking about.
I actually have one of these shipping to me right now and it will be useful. However, I still like the spontaneous selfie.
I have a selfie stick but I haven’t even tried it yet. Clearly I need to do that!
I have a Selfie arm and I love it, great for taking group pictures as well, my brother got it for me a few months ago, and it even came with a carrying case. Great product for getting awesome pictures.
How funny that Gary explained what makes a selfie a selfie. But he’s right. I’ve learned how to take a selfie from all different angles but sometimes could really use of of these cool devices.
Such a fun product! And lol on the selfie, it was Bradley Cooper’s?? Ah well, it was still a good one. 🙂
Now that is such a great gadget – I can imagine it really helps when taking certain photos.
that looks really cool! I’m going to have to check that out. who doesn’t love taking selfies right?
Wow, how cool is that! I’ll have to add the Mpow iSnap Pro to my Wish List. I go to quite a few conferences and events throughout the year and it would be great to take with me.
This is some great information. I think most of us take a bunch of selfies before we get just the right one.
What a great idea! Looks really amazing. My husband is a great lover of selfie pics. I think this would be a perfect one for group selfie as well. I hope this would definitely helps him. I’ll have to check this out this for him. Thanks for sharing.
I never do selfies. I can totally see the hip teenage crowd using these products. I would much rather tell someone take a pic. 🙂
What a cool gadget! Now I don’t have to try to stretch my arm further than humanly possible to get a decent selfie.
Those lenses would be awesome little stocking stuffers! I think the Netflix event was the first time I’d seen a selfie stick in action. Very cool!
I actually got my teen niece one of these for Christmas. She is constantly taking selfies. I know she is going to love it!
I totally need one of these. I am completely awful at taking selfies, I need another foot of arm to get it right. 🙂
Oh man! I want these, both of them. I need this when I was traveling in Malaysia. Definitely going on my christmas list.
I’ve been reading a lot about monopods lately so this review came at a great time for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and selfie etiquette!
Who would have thought there’s right and wrong ways to take selfies? I would never have thought of some of these things, but they could be valuable tools, especially for bloggers. I feel like as a blogger, our lives are always being shared in photos! I don’t have a wide angle lens for my “real” camera, but I would definitely consider one for my phone (much cheaper!!) Very cool!
Wow that was really cool to read. I will have to try this. I know it is hard to get the perfect smile, I love photography and it just seems so hard. Thanks for the post and the ideas!
ok that to me makes more sense than just having a stick to get photos of yourself. also i LOVE fish eye lenses!
I stink at taking selfies! These are great tips and amazing gadgets to keep handy!
This looks handy. I don’t take many selfies, unless my kids make me. It is a fun way to remember moments though.
I didn’t know they had accessories like these! I don’t do a lot of selfies but the kiddos definitely do, so I may need to look into these for them.
I have been thinking about one of those macro lenses. I may need to get one for myself for Christmas.
This sure does make taking a selfie easier. But I never take selfies if I can help it. My daughter would probably like something like this though.