Selfies Belong in Your Story—Here’s How to Start Taking Them

A simple, no-pressure guide to getting yourself in the frame

Mar 08, 2025

Hi friends,

Let’s talk about selfies. Yep, selfies. The thing we’re told is vain or silly or whatever nonsense people say when they don’t want to admit they’ve taken 400 versions of the same photo trying to get the right angle.

Here’s the deal: your story matters. And that means you belong in your creative projects. Whether it’s a scrapbook, an art journal, or just a folder on your phone full of snapshots—you deserve to be in your own story.

If taking selfies feels weird, don’t worry. I’ve got you. Let’s break it down.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this email:

Why selfies belong in your creative practice (and why they’re not just “silly pictures”)
Four easy selfie styles to try today (even if you feel awkward taking photos of yourself)
How to make selfies a natural part of your storytelling (without overthinking it)

Grab a seat, and let’s chat!

What even is a selfie?

A selfie is just a photo where you’re both the photographer and the subject. That’s it. No rules about what part of you has to be in the frame. No requirements for angles, filters, or making sure your hair looks perfect.

Just you, capturing a moment.

Getting comfortable with selfies is so worth it. Having photos of yourself lets you tell your story your way. And if you scrapbook, journal, or document life in any way, selfies make sure you’re actually in the pictures—not just the one taking them for everyone else.

Let’s dive into some simple, fun, totally doable selfie styles you can start using today.

Four Selfies That Will Change Your Creative Life (or at least make it easier to get yourself in the frame)

Below is a step-by-step walkthrough of the sections in your mini Book of Me Zine. Each one offers a quick way to capture your everyday life, leaving you with a snapshot of the person you are right now.

The Mirror Selfie

This one’s a classic. You stand in front of a mirror, phone in hand, and snap a photo. Super easy, right? Well, sort of. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s gold.

✨ Try this:

Look at your camera lens in the mirror (not your screen!)—it’ll look more like you’re making eye contact in the photo.
Take a lot of shots. Trust me. The first few will feel awkward, but you’ll find one you love.

The Front-Facing Camera Selfie

The “traditional” selfie. You hold your phone, switch to the front camera, and take a photo. Sounds simple, but let’s be real—it can be awkward if you don’t know what to do with your face.

✨ Try this:

Sit down, open your camera, and just see what happens. Make faces. Try different angles. Figure out what feels good.
Use your background to tell a story. Are you in your creative space? Out on a walk? Wherever you are, make it part of the shot.

Grab today’s mood before it slips away.

The Shoe Selfie

A great option if you’re not in the mood for a full-face selfie. It’s literally a photo of your shoes. But more than that, it’s a snapshot of where you are, what you’re wearing, what’s happening around you.

✨ Try this:

Stand with intention—look for interesting textures, patterns, or cool ground surfaces to include.
This is a perfect stealth selfie if you’re in public and don’t want to make a big production out of taking a photo.

The Holding Something Selfie

This one is a storytelling dream. You’re in the frame, but the focus is on what you’re holding. Coffee? A book? A cool art project? This style is an easy way to get yourself into the shot while also capturing a piece of your day.

✨ Try this:

Don’t overthink it. Just hold something, snap the photo, and move on with your day.
Use this to document your daily life—what are you reading? Drinking? Creating? It all counts.

Your Creative Journey

Taking selfies isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up in your own story.

If you’re new to this, start small. Try one type of selfie this week and see how it feels. And if you want a fun way to make it a habit, check out #Thursday3—a simple weekly selfie challenge where you take a photo and jot down three things about your right-now life.

Consistency beats perfection every time.

Weekly Resource List:

Selfies: a celebration of a modern-day obsession (Photo Gallery): Royal Photographic Society’s take on selfies with photograph from hundreds of different women.

Our Bodies, Our Selfies: The Feminist Photo Revolution (Reading Time: 7 minutes): Time magazine looks at the selfie revolution.

Selfies and Self Worth (1 Hour Masterclass): rukristin guides you through looking at your selfies in a empowering way

Thursday3 Selfie Challenge (Creative Challenge): rukristin’s weekly selfie and storytelling challenge

Selfies as Self Love (Reading Time 5 minutes): Everyday Feminism’s take on selfies and empowering selfie culture.

Episode 205: The Importance of a Selfie Routine

Kristin Tweedale

June 6, 2023

Read full story

Here’s what we covered today:

Selfies are a powerful way to document your story—you deserve to be in your own creative projects.
Four easy selfie styles to try: Mirror selfies, front-facing selfies, shoe selfies, and holding-something selfies.
Making selfies a habit can be simple—#Thursday3 is a great place to start.

Action step: Pick one selfie style and try it this week. See how it feels to put yourself in the frame!

You are amazing! Tag me in your selfies, I can’t wait to see your amazing face.

Talk to you next week.

xoxo,

Kristin

P.S. If you’re enjoying these newsletters, please consider sharing this edition with a friend who might need a little creative boost today.