Taking Pictures with a Self-Timer on your Camera.

For those of us, myself included, who don’t have the luxury of a photographer to help us take our photos, we have to resort to the good old ‘self-timer’ on the camera. I know how difficult it is to take photos with a self timer; trying to get back around in front of the camera and strike the perfect pose in less than 10 seconds! Oh, how many times have I been caught off guard because I was still adjusting my dress, or trying to get my feet in the right position, when the flash went off?

One trick I came up with, helped me quite a bit. As the majority of my photos are taken in hotel rooms, the sliding closet doors are more often than not, a full length mirror. Generally, the door is easy to remove by simply lifting it up and pulling the bottom out towards you.

(A word of caution here: some of the mirror doors are heavy and I don’t want anyone blaming me for throwing their back out.)

Once the door was free, I'd maneuver it against a wall behind the camera, and angle it such that I could see myself when I stood in the "designated spot" for taking the photo. Again, be very careful that you lean the mirror back far enough to prevent it from falling. I’d hate to have to explain (and pay for) a broken mirror door.

Using this method, I’m able to get a better pose more quickly and avoid having to retake quite so many photos. I can also practice my poses, in situ, before going back to prime the camera for the next shot.

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