It’s almost Summer (isn’t it? Please?), fun’s approaching and Instagram exists – so basically, it’s selfie season, always.
And, what better sort of selfie, than those shared with your crew, as perpetually proved by our favourite celebrities, designers and social media stars?
Here to help you make your squad pics turn out more #goals than “get the FOH”, Team SPICE have outlined some key tips to nail that group shot. See them below and then get snapping.
1. Just Accept the Front-Facing Camera
Ok, so it’s not as good as your regular camera, but using the front-facing lens on your smart phone is pretty much a no brainer if you want to be sure your whole squad’s in shot.
Being able to see what you’re shooting, without struggling to get everyone in the frame, you way less likely to miss the magic of ‘The Moment’ you pulled your camera out for.
For all those leaving it up to luck and trying to use their back-facing camera, “The Moment” is the one right before everyone you wanted to take a picture with got bored posing and banned you from their friend circle. #LifeLessons.
–
2. Get Your Squad Straight
So when Solange dropped her wedding photography back in November’14 (remember those shots, here) we all gasped and got jealous of her bridal party’s matchy-matchy outfits, and the way they all got their serious, editorial face on.
Luckily, photographer of the day, Rog Walker has some words on achieving similar vibes, explaining;
“There’s definitely an element of charisma that’s needed when taking a group photo. You need to make each person feel like they’re getting their photo taken, or else they won’t be fully there.
If you see someone feeling alienated or a little left out, you have to engage that person one-on-one and make them feel included with conversation and compliments.”
Put simply, the photographer of the group needs to take charge a little, and conduct the vibe everyone’s bringing to the shot.
For example, are you trying to show off how happy, disappointed or straight G you all are? Want to show off everyone’s outfit or a particular pose? Get everyone to bring the right feels to your pic and you’ll have people pouring in the likes, wishing they were in the picture too.
–
3. Find The Orangutang in Your Clique and Train it to Take Pictures
There’s always one in the crew with an enviable set of limbs – whether that be long, lean legs or slender arms. Search your team and nominate the most vertically blessed as photographer of your group, and you’ll never not nail those selfie occasions.
Why? Because the view their height will provide can save any group shot – which sometimes, even save friendships – as the further the camera is from your gathering of bodies, the better chance you’ll have of getting everyone in the picture.
Liza Minnelli will tell you how it feels to miss out of the best squad pic ever.
–
4. Check Your Surrounds
When showing the World where your clique’s been hanging, it’s best you consider (at least a little) exactly where that is.
Mid-crowd at a festival, with your fave artist in the background? Great. Inside a room that completely co-ords with your outfit? Cool.
Flexing somewhere embarrassing, or worse still, filthy? Not the best of moments for a selfie and hardly likely to have the ‘likes’ raining in, either.
So that’s a big no thank you to pictures by bins or anywhere there’s an open toilet in shot. Unless that’s your thing, in which case, go do you but maybe keep those pics away from the internet, and in a more personal, private album…
–
5. Pass on Extreme Filters
For the most part, filters are fun and can make one’s selfie feel fabulous, but when it comes to group selfies, there’s something less cool about filtering the F out of it.
It’s probably got something to do with the fact that the best group shots feel ‘of the moment and exude spontaneity (assuming you can spontaneously remember to include all the above points) – the je ne sais quoi being lost a little when heavy filters are applied.
And let’s face it, you’re never going to all agree on the filter used either – and there’s nothing worse than seeing a pic you and your besties ruined by heavy filteridge.
But then each to our own and you know how your squad’s best seen, right?
We at SPICE just hope our tips will help you nail your next group shot – but do tag us in your selfies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SPICETVAFRICA so we can see how you and yours are getting on.
Image source: Oddee.com, Mamamia.com.au, Gizmodo.com, @Theorangenerd, @BubuOgisi, @Lisafolawiyo, @Badgalriri
