7 Tips for Taking Your Best #OOTD Photos

"Let me take a selfie!" If you've ever met me, chances are that you've probably heard me shout this expression more than once. As a Leo, I crave attention and love being in front of the camera. I joke to my friends that I spend most of my free time snapping selfies but that can't possibly be true....right? I've been blogging about fashion for close to eight years now and photographing my personal style in the process for almost as long. 

I was recently working with a new photographer on a shoot when she mentioned she was impressed by how easily I flow through poses and asked me how long I've been modeling (I guess all my time spent taking selfies pays off??) I quickly responded that I'm not really a model per se but just your average fashion girl. Photographers that I haven't worked with before often react this way when working together, and I'm always flattered. It can be tricky to get good #OOTD photos but I guess after years of doing it, I've picked up some tricks along the way. Like hey ma, I can fool people into thinking that I'm a ~model~ now- how fun! 

When I first started blogging about fashion, not everyone photographed their personal style like they do today. In the Instagram world we live in, it seems as though everyone is snapping their own #OOTD photos these days- not just fashion bloggers. However, it can often feel awkward when you first step in front of the camera so I decided to round up a few of my tips for taking your best #OOTD photos, keep reading to check them out: 

1. Practice your ~poses~ in the mirror prior to shooting; practice does make perfect after all! I have many mirrors in my home and you can bet your bottom dollar that I practice my poses in all of those mirrors. Every look is different, and every look photographs differently. By practicing your poses prior to shooting, you'll see what poses make your outfit look the best. You'll also discover your angles. 

2. Create an inspiration board with pose ideas and #OOTD photo set-ups that you like. I save any photos I really like on Instagram to a collection and flip through those photos for inspiration prior to shoots. 

3. Don't be afraid to look a little bit ridiculous. Sometimes the BEST poses feel the silliest! And that's okay. Might as well try! It's important to try to tune out anyone else who may be around- they don't matter anyways so don't give them any thought. Focus on your #OOTD photo, girl! Throw a leg up to the side, rest one of your arms on top of your head, lean dramatically, get creative with your poses. Typically poses that create angles look the best; for example, if you have your hands on your hips or you're ~fake~ putting your hair up with one hand. 

4. Wear sunglasses. Y'all this is my FAVORITE tip on this list and probably also the number one reason I'm not a ~real~ model. Expressing emotion through your eyes in photographs, or "smizing" as Tyra Banks would say, is hard. It's really hard! Hell, it's hard sometimes to even get #ootd photos with your eyes open or not looking super wonky. Even if you've been snapping photos of your outfits for years. Sunglasses will hide your eyes- and make getting good photos SO much easier. You don't have to worry about what your eyes look like in the photo- just your outfit, body and pose. Sunglasses should be your #ootd photo BFF. 

5. Develop a couple "go-to" poses. Come up with a few poses that work for many different outfits and that you can easily move through whenever you're shooting your #ootd photos. It's easy to feel stumped at first but developing your signatures poses will help you feel less and less flustered. 

6. Pose WITH your accessories. Play around with your accessories to come up with new pose ideas;  slide your sunglasses just slightly down your nose, hold your purse across your body, slip your hands into your pockets, the options go on and on! 

7. Drop your bottom lip- just slightly. A photographer taught me this tip a few years ago and I still rely on it today. It makes your face look more natural, and less stressed/confused/nervous in photos. 

Most importantly, have fun with it! I'm a strong believer that fashion should be fun- and if you're not having fun snapping your #OOTD photos, what's the point? 

Photos by Rachel Dwyer. You can browse through more of her work on her website here or her Instagram here. 

Denim skirt: Zara via a clothing swap

Platform heels: Jeffrey Campbell via Poshmark

Burgundy top: c/o Shein

Boho purse: Earthbound Trading Company

Black cat-eye sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage 

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