Advice for shooting self-portraits?

[AnnaV]

I am half way through my pregnancy and have been thinking about taking some self-portraits. I've found this site http://www.momphoto.com/maternity_portrait137.html which has some gorgeous maternity photos.

So, going to try to do some! Just wondered if anyone had any advice for shooting self-portraits? To be honest it's something I have managed to avoid doing so far!

 

[meehaja]

all the obvious stuff, avoid shooting from below as it gives you chins avoid focussing on features you don't like etc...

TBH I've been trying this for a while (although I'm not pregnant!) with various mediums and it seems a tripod, a external shutter release and perhaps a mirror positioned so you can see the live view screen would be a good start. All the usual lighting issues apply, but with all the practical problems that you can't just look at what you're trying to take.

for a bit of variation, I often try to avoid the "photomachine" looking straight at the camera type shots, aiming more for the idea of a photo of myself, that looks like someone else took it. I'm yet to get any satisfactory results, but for a while I was trying a camera on top of a wardrobe with a self timer for a CCTV kind of feel?

Good luck, and I hope the results come out how you'd like!

 

[Elli]

Hi Anna,

I did my own maternity shots, I used a tripod and a long shutter release, then just edited the cable out. I tried it on a timer but the focus wasn't so good, where as the cable let me use autofocus. (Though obviously still blind!)
I found I needed to use something as a model when setting up initially, before swapping over. Think I just used an oversized teddy!
Have fun!

 

[Elli]

Just realised the date you posted this, have you had chance to do any yet?