Selfie School Answer Vault
Q. Why do we need to take seflies?
A. Because they're the most engaging way to create connection on Instagram.
Q. Can we wear make up for Selfie School? What if I have a pimple or want to cover the bags under my eyes with concealer? Is make up allowed?
A. As I always say make it work for you. Yes if you want to look your best with a bit of make up on then go for it. Just don't overdo it. Otherwise you'll look like you've got that foundation caked on. So a clean fresh makeup look is the way to go with selfies.
Q. When taking selfies should we use a filter?
A. No. Here's why. When you take a selfie with a filter on that is the original. You can't take the filter off once you've taken it. So shoot your seflies without a filter and if you want to add a filter on the original afterwards by duplicating it and editing the duplicate then do it that way. There's nothing worse than having a picture of you taken with the filter on and yu can't get it off. It's irreviersible.
Q. I have the perfect window with the perfect light, but the background is busy - shelves with all kinds of stuff. Is there a backdrop (like a sheet?) I can hang that won't look cheesy? Can it be fixed in post?
A. GREAT question. So ideally you want a clean crisp background. But if the perfect window that's giving perfect light is there and behind you is not a clean and crisp wall then the perfect light takes priority. So tidy up the background, make it look nice, and voila! You've got your selfie spot in your house! Don't think you can take stuff out in post. That's way too much work and it won't look good. The goal is to get as much right as possible when taking the selfie. If you however want to add a background to it then be warned. A sheet is a nice thought but one wrinkle in that darn sheet will pull our eye away from your gorgeous face and we will be focusing on that wrinkle. Argh! So you can either look for a self tape backdrop on Amazon. They come in different colors. It's like a big oval when it's fully opened. When you twist it and turn it it can be neatly stored in a small space and the backdrop won't get any wrinkles! Or you can go full on studio set up and get a paper backdrop with a metal frame to hold it up. But that means it will be there the entire time taking up space. See what I mean by the light takes priority hahaha. Yes you can add or subtract to your background to make it look as good as possible but it's a whirlwind of stuff that can take up space and leave you more focused on the background than on what you're actually taking a picture of... YOU. I'd say take a few pics in that perfect light and I can have a look at it along with the background and give you my feedback. Aaaaaand go!
Q. I have always ventured away from using a ring light at a glasses wearer - but I notice in Wendy's photo the reflection of the ring light in her pupils - how best to angle the ring light to avoid this - I find it's not always noticable when framing up the shot?
A. OK so this is something I obsess about a lot. If you are NOT a glasses wearer and you're using a ring light then yes you see the ring light in the subject's pupils and I think it looks awesome. It gives a great pop to the eyes. No matter what studio light you're using if you are not a glasses wearer there will always be catch light in the eyes. And with a ring light making those perfect circles ugh I love it hahaha:
But if you ARE a glasses wearer like I am then this fantasy will never be a reality. What to do instead is to position your ring light higher than your head and then tilt it down to a 45 degree angle towards your face. That way the catch light doesn't reflect in your glasses and it still casts a good light on your face.
Q. I always get shadows. How do I avoid this?
A. Shadows occur when you have too many light sources. So find your number 1 light source. Get close to it. And turn all the other light sources off. That should do the trick. If you only have one light source and you are still getting shadows then stick your face directly toward the light source to smooth things out and minimise any shadows on your face.
Q. My background is full of light. What do I do?
A. If you're inside then turn off all the lights in the room and get close to the window. That will give you a darker background and not add in any extra light that is distracting. If you are outside and there are multiple light sources then try to frame your face with the least amount of light sources and always have your face pointing in the basking glow of that light source.
Q. I have curtains at the window that has the best light. What do I do with the curtains behind me when taking selfies?
A. USE THEM! Stand with your face pointing toward the window and have the curtains draped behind you. They will be close but that's ok. Take a few selfies. Then if you want to get creative get three chairs and a broomstick. Put two chairs back to back and place the broomstick across the backs of the chiars. Fold the curtain over the broomstick. Pull the 2 chairs back away from the window so the curtain creates a little fort. Put the third chair facing the window. Sit in the third chair. And take some selfies. This will move the curtain back behind you creating depth between you and the curtain.
Q. I'm a glasses wearer. How do I take good selfies without the light glaring off of my glasses?
A. Move your light source up higher than you're used to and then point it down diagonally to your face. Film yourself iin this position and see how far you can move your face without getting the glare in your glasses. This is tricky to get the hang of at first but once you know your angles and the light's diagonal you should no longer have glaring glasses ever again.
Q. My complexion is dark. How do I get enough light on my face?
A. If you have a darker complexion here are two tips. Number 1 amp up the lighting. Get close to the window, if you have a soft box then turn up the light intensity a bit more, and find ways to get more light on your face. Number 2 if you're using an iPhone then open the camera and use the front camera. Tap the screen and a square will appear around your face along with a small sun icon. Drag your finger upwards to brighten up the exposure - giving you more light on your face.
Q. Is there a good side and a bad side to your face? And if so how do I find my good side?
A. In Peter Hurley's book, "The Headshot" he says that 70% of people's faces have a good side on the left side of their face. 25% of people's faces have a good side on the right side of their face. And only 5% of people's faces have both left and right sides as their best side. But honestly, your face is a work of art. So play around with what you can do with your facial expresions and see which side works best for you. For me, I know I can raise only my right eyebrow. So when I do that pose I know that my right side of my face needs to be shown more. However my right eye is bigger than my left eye so my good side SHOULD be my left side. See? So don't get stuck trying to figure out what your good side is and only be photographed from that side. Just play with both sides. See what facial epressions you can make and most importantly, don't overthink it!
Q. I wear glasses sometimes and contact lenses other times. I know it's more difficult to get the lighting right when posing with glasses. But I want to show both sides of me: with AND without glasses. What should I do?
A. Glasses wearers have a harder time due to the reflection of light in our glasses. But don't let that deter you. Watch the Day 1 module on how to set up your lights for glasses wearers. But then think about WHEN you wear your glasses. Is it at your desk? Is it when reading? Is it when you're on your phone? So for all of those pics with you at your desk, when you read a book, or when you on your phone then wear your glasses then. And take a selfie with your glasses on in those situations. Then, when do you wear your contacts? At meetings? In the kitchen cooking? Running errands? Remember the situations when you wear contacts and take selfies of you doing those things in those situations. Playing with glasses / no glasses can keep your photos interesting so change it up and make it work for you.
Q. I've got a larger bust. How do I pose without drawing too much attention to them. My eyes are up here hahaha.
A. Remember where ever your hands are placed diverts the eye away from your face and toward your hands. So keep your hands around your face, touch your chin, touch your shoulder, stroke your arm with your other hand, put your hands in your hair, keep your elbows bent and hands in the hair / face / neck / shoulder area. For more upper body poses like crossing your arms, don't press your arms against your chest. Rather leave some negative space between your arms and your chest and then strike a few poses. It's going to feel really strange. Almost like a mannequin but it will look good. Also lean forward from the hips and bring your arms a bit more toward the camera. This will also create more negative space between your arms and your chest. This will really feel awkward but it will look good. Remember, what ever is closest to the camera looks bigger. So by you leaning your hips back and bringing your arms forward you minimise your chest. Also whatever is in front of the camera is seen and what is blocked from the camera is not seen. Another pose is turn your feet 90 degrees to the camera, bend your front arm's elbow completely, and with your finger tips touch your shoulder or your chin. Your arm will block your chest and bring more focus toward your face and hand. The main thing is that you try out different poses and see what works on your body type. You got this!
Q. Car selfies - yay or nay?
A. Nay! They're overdone. If you DO want to do a car selfie mix it up. Get in the back seat, get in the passenger seat, get in the trunk - but make sure someone else is there to let you out if you get trapped inside hahaah!
Q. What about sitting poses?
A. That is demonstrated in Selfie School part 2 - which is not part of the training in Inner Circle. It is however part of My Content Calendar online course along with other modules like props, capturing extreme emotions, and many other things to turn your already good selfies into wowzer selfies!
Q. The Day 5 photshoot. How long should we give ourselves to do it?
A. However long you want! A good 1-2 hours will be more than enough. Remember to have fun and use what you've learned throughout the week and create selfies that look and feel like you. You've got this!
Q. For our Day 5 photo shoot - inside or outside?
A. Where ever you want! Make sure you have good lighting and just go for it. No over thinking. Treat yourself to a selfie date! You'll feel amazing afterwards and your pics will be stunning. I prommise.
Q. For full body shots I'm having a hard time. When I move further away from my phone the ring light doesn't cast as much light on me as when I'm closer to it. It all looks dark and pixely. Am I doing something wrong?
A. No. You're not doing anything wrong. That is just the law of light. The further away you are from it the less light it shines on you. Same thing with your smartphone's camera. The further away you are from your smartphone the more pixely it will become because it's having a hard time picking you up especially in the dakrer light. So if this is an issue then bring your ring light closer to a place where there is more light like the window. Or do your full body shots outside where there is a ton more light. Then your full body shots will be more well lit and the camera will pick more of you up.
Q. What if I have a pro camera and pro lights? Can I use them?
A. Most definitely! Use what you got to make it work for you!
Q. I want to show some personality with my selfies. Not just the old pro. I have a fun baseball shirt that I'd like to wear. Is that ok?
A. That's more than ok. That's great. But why stop there? Throw on your baseball shirt, put a baseball glove on, throw a baseball in the air and catch it, and get into the whole outfit with props and everything. SHOW US THAT SIDE TO YOURSELF! It's going to be awesome. So go all the way with it.
Q. When I look in my closet all I see is black but my brand colors are serene blues that remind people of the ocean. How do I bring in my brand colors?
A. Find anything blue. Blue props, blue scarves, blue shoes, even white linen and cotton feels beachy and watery if you throw a blue necklace and earrings on top of it for accessories. Try to bring in hints of your branded blue into your photoshoot and see what transpires!
Q. IS there a limit to our outfits for Day 5 photoshoot?
A. No. But be careful. Too many outfits can make you feel overwhelemed. So go outfit by outfit and if your energy starts to fade then call it a wrap and pick up on another day when you have more energy and are ready to slay.
Q. For the Day 5 photoshoot do we do close ups, or full body, or both?
A. Whatever you want to do. Mix it up with close ups and full body and see what happens.
Q. What if I want to change makeup during the photoshoot?
A. Start with light makeup for the casual looks. And then as the photo shoot progresses and you go into more sophisticated looks then you can add make up on top and build from there.
Q. Should all photos be vertical?
A. Yes. Shoot in vertical. That way you won't have space left and right of you. And when you shoot in vertical you can crop better. So yes for selfies awlays shoot in vertical.
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