Ironically enough, one of the most difficult pictures a photographer can take is a self-portrait. With self portraits you don't have the advantage of looking through the lens and carefully composing your image, so it can be real tricky to get it right. But with that being said, there are a few important tips you can use to make taking your self portrait a whole lot easier.

Delay Timers

Nearly every SLR made in the last ten years has a delay timer, and you can use this to your full advantage when shooting self-portraits. This delayed timer will give you between 5-10 seconds (depending upon the camera) to push the timer and to run into the picture area just before the shutter releases. Although this isn't ideal, it will work if you have no other options.

Remote or Wireless Shutter Releases

A remote shutter release will let you activate your shutter release without having to actually press down the button. They come in many varieties (including wireless) and work with most newer cameras and are the best option for taking serious photographs of yourself. They range in price from about $30 for wired versions to $50 for wireless, or you can build one yourself if you’re tech-minded (there are some great “how-to’s” for this available on the web).

Recruit a Friend

Unless you’re at a level where you can measure the distance from your lens to a target and set your focus accordingly, you’re going to need a stand-in to make sure your camera focuses in the right spot. For someone sitting in, a patient friend who is roughly your height will usually work fine, or you can position an object in the same position and height as where you'll be. Focus is one of the hardest things to get right in self-portraiture, so don’t get frustrated if it takes a few shots.

Don’t Flatter Yourself

Remember that a photographer’s job is to tell the truth. It can be tempting in self-portraiture to only shoot images that show us in a positive light, but in all circumstances the integrity of the final image should take precedence over our sensitivity. This doesn't mean you can't take flattering pictures of yourself, but just consider the technical perspective instead of just considering the most complementary one. You want the picture to tell a story, so whether you look "good" is really of secondary importance.

Light it Up

Getting perfect lighting while shooting a self portrait can be quite challenging. If you use a stand-in, unless they have almost the exact same skin tone as you, there will need to be adjustments made throughout the shoot to create ideal light. The best strategy here is to set your camera to full-manual; this will allow you to purposefully modify every photograph you take without being at the mercy of what the camera’s internal sensors decide is right.

As far as actual “lights” go, you can use desk lamps, natural light, floor lamps, and/or your camera’s native flash to build an environment that works for what you’re trying to accomplish. Often times, you'll need to spend a couple of hours on your shoot focusing on the details so you can end up getting a self portrait that really tells your story.

Use Your Creativity

Just as in regular portraiture, creativity is key in creating visually striking self-portraits. Think of ways that you can present yourself that are outside the norm of “person in a picture,” and try to have as much fun as possible in the process. Try using props like costumes or dynamic lighting and interesting backgrounds that will help make your self portrait stand out.

All in all, self-portraiture can be a fun break from the demands of working with subjects. With self portraits, there are no pressing deadlines so take as much time as you need to get it right. In fact, because the only person you have to deal with is you, the only limit on your self-portrait shoot is your own imagination.