Many artists and photographers might be able to help you hone in on your most creative style, but I wanted to share my perspective.

When you look at beautiful portraits and selfies and have a sense of what beauty is and looks like, it’s easy to fall into a mindset of “it’s supposed to look like that” when you take pictures of yourself.

We’ve all been there: take a photo of yourself, and suddenly the photos you take of yourself start to look self-conscious.

What if you could click on those artsy pictures, roll them up in a frame, and take a peek at them now and again? Your inner artist would be more excited, and your aesthetic would only get better.

On an entirely superficial level, it’s fun to take artsy photos of yourself. That being said, I wanted to give you more realistic tips to help you make the most of your beauty.

Let’s dive right in and give you a beginner’s guide to taking artsy photos of yourself.

Don’t be afraid of wearing makeup

The first tip I have is that you don’t always wear makeup, and sometimes makeup is easier and more flattering than not wearing it. But it’s always OK to wear it if you want to, and you can always wear less if you’re not a fan.

And it’s also important to think about what makes you feel most confident and beautiful. The best makeup you can wear, in my opinion, is the makeup that makes you feel the most glamorous, confident, and un-self-conscious.

So, you don’t have to wear foundation if you don’t want to. And if you have acne, blemishes, or wrinkles, it’s OK to go without it if it makes you feel better.

Bottom line, beauty is about feeling good, and no two women (or men!) are the same.

I’ve learned that what works for me doesn’t necessarily work for you.

Curl your lashes

This one isn’t a huge one to start with, but if you can get your lashes curled or even gel-blocked, you can throw a whole new dimension into your photos.

Many artists don’t do this, but I really think it helps enhance the quality of your portrait.

Or even if you don’t need a lot of curl or gel, adding a layer of liquid eyeliner or waterproof mascara can help.

It’s also easy to pull off and gives your eyes a sexy and confident look.

Find a gorgeous model

Whether you have a model you go to every time you want a different look, or you want to find one for yourself, find a model you can collaborate with, whether it’s via Instagram, Facebook, or Tumblr.

Having a model is great because it’s a great way to create a new look that’s a bit different than what you usually wear and gives you a whole new dimension to your portrait.

However, it’s easy to get swept up in the whole thing. The model you choose can be your best friend or your worst enemy, and the best thing to do is to stay clearheaded and keep in mind what’s important.

If you can find a model that you feel confident in, someone you know is really good at what she does, and who you enjoy getting to know, that’s a great choice.

Keep your clothes simple

Most pictures of yourself need to look pretty simple: no fuss, no-frills.

Keep your clothes simple. What you wear shouldn’t be an excuse to wear any unnecessary ornamentation or jewelry.

A simple or bold scarf that ties under your chin, or a simple necklace that gives you a focal point, are all simple ways to add a little dimension to your portrait.

Don’t be afraid of messy hair

When you have short hair like mine, it can get so tangled and knotted so easily. Sometimes the idea of messing it up for a photo can be very intimidating, but if you can shake it out, or with the help of a diffuser and a round brush, it can look so chic and elegant and create a different, more daring, look.

It’s also something easy to recreate if you want to try something new.

Avoid natural light unless it’s hot

I’m not a huge fan of natural light. It’s better to use the light from your computer, unless it’s hot, in which case, I think you should stick to direct natural sunlight.

Sometimes, you have to use the light from your computer because you’re working from home and don’t have an easy way to take photos in the afternoon.

If that’s the case, stick to harsh sunlight for portraits and try to avoid artificial light at all costs.

Avoid editing photos

You should never edit your photos in Photoshop. Editing photos is a big no-no, even if you work for a professional photographer.

I know many people say you should be able to edit your photos in Photoshop because you’re professionals, but that’s complete crap.

Never edit your photos in Photoshop unless you are a professional photographer.

Ever since I’ve learned how to edit photos, I always go for a photo with the beauty and the imperfection it has with the exact exposure. The light is perfect, but the air is just a little bit diffused, or there’s a little bluish filter to tone down the sun's harshness.

It looks much better without the bluish filter, so it’s easy to edit, and the photograph looks almost identical to what it looked like without the editing.

That’s one of the advantages of a professional camera.

Don’t worry about expression

No one look’s right for everyone.

And even if you have one look you go for, don’t worry too much about not being expressive. It’s natural to be shy or reserved and even if you want to show off some emotion, be sure to find a moment that works.

Let the wrinkles in your face show. Let your eyes look alive and alert, but don’t feel like you need to force it.

If you are posing in front of a street light or outdoors in direct sunlight, don’t feel like you have to do a full-on smile to the camera. Just let the wrinkles in your face tell the story.

Don’t forget about the details

There are often details in the background of a photo that can go unnoticed, especially if you’re not actively focused on those details.

If you’re facing a fence or a wall, there are some great background details to look out for: leaves, a branch, a shadow, the color of a building, or something else that tells the story.