Have Fun Shooting Selfies (Self-Portrait) Photos
Article updated May 2025
Self-portraits, also known as Selfies, are more popular than ever. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary even added “Selfie” in 2013 because of its popularity in everyday language. Today’s cameras make it easy to take Selfies, with some models even designed to make taking selfies simple. With everyone sharing their images on social media, there’s an abundant audience waiting to see your next shot.
Photographers and artists are even creating entire careers out of self-portrait photography. Think about it—you’ve got an idea for a portrait but no one is around to model for you—so you become the model and take a Selfie.
The Z 50 mirrorless camera makes it easy to take selfies with its drop down touch LCD and Self-portrait mode.
The Z 50's touch LCD lets you easily hold the camera in one hand, see what the camera sees and snap the photo simply by touching the LCD with your other hand.
How to take a selfie with your Nikon camera:
The easiest and quickest way to shoot a selfie is to hold the camera at arms length with the lens pointing at you. Depending upon the focal length of the lens and how long your arm is, you may or may not end up with a distorted view of yourself.
All Nikon cameras—Mirrorless cameras, COOLPIX point and shoots, Nikon 1 cameras and DSLRs—have a self-timer option. Put the camera on a tripod or sturdy surface, frame up the shot, set the camera’s built-in self-timer and jump into the shot.
Select Nikon cameras make taking Selfies super easy. Some Nikon cameras have LCDs that flip up/down or angle so you're able to see what the camera sees.
Taking selfies with a Nikon mirrorless camera:
The Nikon Z 50 was designed to take selfies. The camera’s touch LCD flips down to take self portraits easily. Once you flip the LCD down, Self-portrait mode is selected. You can even capture movies as well as still images while in Self-portrait mode. For flexibility you have the option of using the touch LCD or the shutter button to snap your photos. You can also use the self-timer function if you want to give yourself a few seconds before you snap the shot.
Cameras like the Nikon Z50II, Z5II, Z30 and other mirrorless cameras utilize a Vari-angle LCD that flips out to the side so you can see what the camera sees making selfies super easy. These cameras also have a Self-portrait mode that helps you take great selfies when you're holding the camera to photograph yourself.
Use the Nikon SnapBridge app which is free and available for Apple iPhone® and smartphones running AndroidTM. Simply pair your camera and compatible smartphone, and you can use your phone as a remote control to snap your selfies.
Taking selfies—and even group selfies—is easy when you place the camera on a small tripod and use the optional ML-L3 Bluetooth remote control to snap the shutter.
From the camera's point of view, the group is ready for their selfie, and you can see the ML-L7 remote in the photographer's hand.
Accessories that make taking selfies simple:
Use a wired remote cable release with your Nikon DSLR. This option is ideal if you’re going to be standing very close to the camera. Nikon makes the MC-30A (31.5 inches in length) or MC-36A (33.5 inches in length); or the MC-DC2 (3.3 feet in length) wired remotes, which are easy to use. Check your user’s manual to see which is compatible with your camera. Simply attach it to the camera, hold it out of sight, smile and press the shutter button on the remote. The Z5II utilizes the MC-DC3 remote cord which is 3.3 feet in length and allows you to set the camera on a tripod or sturdy surface and remotely snap the shutter..
Use a Nikon wireless remote. Depending upon your camera, it may be compatible with a wireless remote such as the ML-L7 Bluetooth wireless remote.
Check your camera's user's manual for compatibility with these optional accessories.
An option for taking selfies with compatible cameras is the Selfie Stick. Simply attach the camera, set the self timer and hold it out at arms length to take a great selfie shot.
With a Nikon camera on a selfie stick, you can use the self timer to take the photo.
3 Tips for Taking Selfies with a Camera:
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Shoot close up with wide angle views that include you. Close-ups are great but shooting a wide-angle view lets everyone see where you were when you took your Selfie. If your location is pretty—show it off!
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Be aware of your background. Just like when you’re shooting a portrait of someone else, you don’t want a tree or telephone pole growing out of the back of your head!
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Place your camera on a sturdy surface if you don’t have a tripod, such as a table or other sturdy object. The last thing you want to do is have the camera fall because it was precariously balanced on something not meant to hold it.
Many Nikon COOLPIX cameras can be used with a selfie stick.
Using a selfie stick is great because the photographer has an opportunity to be included in the photograph, which is great for family photos.
