National Selfie Day! Let's Celebrate!

Did you know that June 21 is National Selfie Day?

Yes, you read that correctly...there actually is a day that celebrates people taking pics of themselves (and posting them for the world to see). 

Although I play the (shameless) selfie game, pretty much on the daily, I do have mixed feelings about it. Most of what we see on social media is "filtered" (literally and figuratively) to reflect what the selfie-poster wants us to see about them or the lifestyle they lead. In other words, you don't see very many real-life images of us in our less-than-desirable states (and I don't think that's all bad, LOL).

While we all have our own preferences on the selfies we share, I do get a lot of questions on subject matter and content. So, in celebration of this most auspicious day, I'll share a few tips and strategies I utilize...

First and foremost, I love variety. I try, often times in vain, to constantly share unique and different material, all while keeping it consistent with the focus of running and/or fitness. After all, my social media accounts are named Running on the Fly. 

I also look for that same variety in the accounts I follow. If a new person "follows" me, I usually check-out their profile (on Instagram, for example). If the majority of their pics are featuring that person in almost identical poses or settings, my interest takes an almost immediate nosedive. Granted, it's their profile and not mine, but I'm much more likely to not tap on the individual pics, or bother to read the captions, if everything looks (virtually) the same. Call me high-maintenance, LOL. Like most everyone else, my social media time is limited...I'd rather spend it seeing/reading content that engages me. Sorry, not sorry.  

Anyways, if I find myself stuck in a selfie rut (for lack of a better word), I have roster of selfie options I draw upon. In no particular order, here are My Favorite Selfie Options: 

The prop and pose:

I'm probably guilty of using this option the most, because I think it offers the most versatility. Once I learned how to use the timer on my camera setting, a very big world of selfie photography was opened up to me. The availability of camera props is endless: lampposts, street signs, fire hydrants, the bumpers (or tires, LOL) of unsuspecting random cars...the possibilities are endless.

The live action on-the-go shot:

We're all moving as we do our fitness thing, right? Why not showcase that once in awhile? You can set your camera to "live photo" (which will give you several thumbnail cells to choose from) or use the "video" setting (then choose which video cell best captures your movement).

The "fun with filters" capture:

Sometimes, a picture is just a picture, with nothing special or significant about it. Adding a few filters to enhance the colors or add a twist of flair to it can make it look like a work of art. Just don't get in the habit of doing this to every pic...

The contemplative candid:

Many of us use our runs (or workouts) to burn off stress or anxiety. We may have a lot of deep thoughts (good ,bad, sad, and glad) that need special attention or focus. Or, we just may need a quick picture to document our workout of the day. We don't always have to be looking at the camera, nor do we always need to be smiling.

The silhouette:

I am a total art geek, especially when it comes to capturing the sunrises and sunsets. Even if the run, walk, or bike ride was nothing especially eventful, a beautiful shot that highlights the sky (instead of the person) can give huge props to opting outside. Besides, the focus doesn't always have to be on me.

The unassuming feet:

Sometimes, the feet tell more of the story than the words in the caption. They also show that you were, indeed, on the scene amongst the bright green grass, the blindingly white snow, or the puddle-laden streets after a rainfall.

The "nuts & bolts" of running:

You know, the stretching poses. Often times, these pics make me look more tired than I actually feel. Other times, the exhaustion portrayed tells the story of a hot summer run or an especially character-building endeavor.

...and, if all else fails, there's the tried and true Arm In The Air:

In my opinion, this is kind of cheating because it's so basic, LOL. I mean, haven't we all done this one?

So, there's a few options if you need some new ideas on upping your selfie game (or at the very least, trying something different).

A few related posts:

Post-Worthy Pics: 5 recent favorites

Fitness and Photos

To Catch a Sunrise

Do you plan to celebrate National Selfie Day? Got a favorite selfie "pose" you find yourself relying on more than others? Any selfie tricks or hacks to share?

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

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