June 21st marks National Selfie Day, a day dedicated to capturing the perfect self-portrait. With the rise in smartphones with front facing cameras and social media trends, capturing the ideal selfie has become a significant part of living in the digital world.
What are selfies?
Selfies are self-portraits usually taken on a smartphone camera, at an arm’s length or with the help of a selfie stick. They are taken to capture an individual’s daily life, their experiences, or special moments with loved ones.
Pros and Cons
Selfies can be a form of self-expression and creativity and allow individuals to control how they are presented to the world. They can also be used to challenge traditional body standards by promoting acceptance and body positivity.
However, due to their popularity on social media in order to gain likes, comments and engagement from friends and family, this can put pressure on people to seek validation on their appearance from external interactions. Plus, the use of filters can encourage individuals to try and change or hide their true selves in fear that they are not good enough.
But remember selfies do not have to be taken in order to post them, you can take selfies to empower yourself and as an act of self-confidence!
So why have National Selfie Day?
National Selfie Day was created as a fun celebration of the selfie trend and of the impact that it has had on popular culture. It encourages individuals to engage in responsible selfie-taking practices by respecting other’s privacy and the well-being of yourself and others.
5 Tips for taking an excellent selfie
- Lighting: Natural light is always great for selfies. Position yourself near a window or step outside to enjoy a lovely glow but remember to face the light to make sure your picture is clear.
- Background: Be mindful about what or whom is in the background of your selfie. A messy background could distract viewers from the main focus- you. Also, it is important if other people are noticeably visible behind you to have their permission before posting online.
- Angles: Experimenting with angles for your selfies can keep your pictures looking fresh and different from each other. Have fun and play around with different angles and perspectives until you find the one that represents you best.
- Smile: Let your natural smile shine!
- Express yourself: A selfie should reflect who you are and what you enjoy. Be creative and most importantly, have fun!
Want more social media content? Check out Escapade’s blogs posts on How to Connect with Gen Z on Social Media and Our Favourite Social Media Platforms!
Sources
https://argusenglish.in/article/international/say-cheese-june-21-national-selfie-day
