50 Ways To Take A Creative Selfie

by | Nov 12, 2018 | Creativity, Lists, Self-Love | 0 comments

People judge millenials for being too self-involved and taking too many pictures of themselves. This is a whole topic for another time, but I actually think there’s an enormous amount of pressure for this generation to cultivate a “presence” and that in no way means they have higher levels of self-esteem. That said, I think the act of the selfie is a revolution that’s here to stay!

Photographers and artists have done self-portraits for centuries. Frida Kahlo painted herself over and over, and I believe that was an act of self-love. Now we have these amazing cameras at our fingertips where we can essentially take as many free pictures as we want, so if we’re “feeling ourselves”, why wouldn’t we want to document that moment, visual, and feeling?

An Uncustomary Babe asked for a list of ways to take a selfie and a bunch of people were like hell yeah make that! I let it sit for a long time, because for some reason I just didn’t know how on earth I was going to make a list of how to take a selfie. I wasn’t thinking creatively enough! I brainstormed with Joe, and he easily showed me that it’s not just how to take a selfie, but how to take an interesting and creative selfie. Now that, I can help you with!

50 Ways To Take A Creative Selfie | Uncustomary

Ways To Take An Creative Selfie

1. Hold a mirror up to the sky so your reflection is cast in it, and take a picture of the mirror in the sky without getting the reflection of your camera in the mirror
2. Print out a picture/use an instant photo of a part of your face and hold it up in front of your face so it matches up and adds an extra layer (photo of your lips holding on in front of your actual lips)
3. Draw something you can interact with on the ground with sidewalk chalk (a crown, a bouquet of balloons, etc.) and lay down and pretend you’re wearing it, holding it, etc.
4. Take a bunch of selfies in the same spot, wearing the same thing, but making different expressions and turn them into a collage
5. Get something that reflects rainbow prisms and wait for it to land on your face and capture that magical moment
6. Submerge yourself half in water and get just the top of your head
7. Put the camera on the ground, set the timer, and act like you’re about to step on it
8. Get a bubble machine and fill the room with bubbles for interesting textures (don’t’ forget to blow some yourself, too!)
9. Splatter your face and/or body with multi-colored paint
10. Capture your reflection in a pair of sunglasses you’re holding (consider the accessories on the arm holding the sunglasses, too)
11. Whip your hair back and forth rapidly for a cool motion shot
12. Write love notes all over your hands and places them front and center in the foreground so your face is just blurry in the background (you’ll need a timer for this one, unless you want to just write on one hand)
13. Blow the biggest bubble you can with gum
14. Cover your eyes/face with rhinestones, gems, stickers, googly eyes, or another material
15. Get an empty ice cream cone and position it so the clouds in the sky look like it’s the ice cream in the cone
16. Photobomb someone else taking a selfie with you taking a selfie
17. Use flowers (fake or real) to hold in front of your eyes/lay on your eyelids, bite in your mouth, or completely cover your face
18. Set the timer on your camera and blow confetti, glitter, flowers, or something else small into the camera lens
19. Don’t overthink it; just change your appearance with a crazy or gorgeous wig
20. Stand over a puddle so your shadow/outline is clearly cast in the water
21. Paint a thick line over your eyes/eyebrows and hold the paintbrush over your other eye, demonstrating you’re mid-stroke
22. Hold a bouquet of balloons, fill a room, car, or bathtub with balloons, or roll around with balloons in your bed
23. Cover your hair and/or facial hair in anything you can glue to mini clothespins (stickers, googly eyes, pom poms, etc.)
24. Get naked, but challenge yourself to keep the photo PG (that doesn’t mean it can’t still be sexy as hell)
25. Stand in black light, under LED lights, or any other interesting illumination

50 Ways To Take A Creative Selfie | Uncustomary




26. Wrap your face with string, twine, yarn, rope, ribbon, or something else you can play with the distribution of
27. Light a smoke bomb for a magical effect (be quick — and careful — they go fast!)
28. Wear a mascot/animal mask and do something “mundane”/”normal”
29. Hold something with holes up to your eyes like they’re glasses (bagels, donuts, etc.)
30. Put something on your tongue on stick it out (vitamin, candy, LSD — just kidding?)
31. Stick/glue something to each of your fingers so they’re in the foreground of the picture (stamps, stickers, etc.)
32. Surround yourself with stuffed animals and insert your head in between them, ET style
33. Wear all of the same color and find a wall that matches you to stand in front of
34. Photobomb someone famous
35. Wear a bunch of glow sticks and turn the lights out
36. Tie your hair in chunks to a flower bush or to helium-filled balloons so it looks like it’s floating
37. Get buried in the sand and take a picture of the results
38. Cover yourself in temporary tattoos
39. Wrap yourself in twinkle lights or hold them in your hand like you’re creating energy
40. Hold a sparkler up (best results at dusk/night)
41. Hang upside down
42. Create a visual representation of a pun with your surroundings
43. Use thrift store items as props and get ridiculously weird with it
44. Record your face in slow motion and choose the weirdest frame
45. Set your timer and capture you jumping on your bed or falling down mid-air onto your bed
46. Throw water on your face and snap the button mid-splash
47. Fill a bathtub with all of one material (pom poms, balloons, leaves, etc.), lay in it, and take a picture from above
48. Take a bunch of indoor things outside (chair, teapot, TV set, etc.) and make a surreal scene to be a part of
49. Get a cylindrical/tube-like object, look down it, and take your picture from the other end
50. Play with perspective and make it look like a flower, piece of fruit, or something up close next to your camera is actually a part of your outfit when you’re standing farther away

Uncustomary

How do you make your selfies creative?

Photos: Maura Housley




In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle