Selfie and Self-Portrait – what is the difference?

Self-portraits and selfies may seem similar, but they differ in their intention and depth. Check out the last image in this carousel to see what I mean

I asked myself this question and then did a bit of research.

If you think about it, we usually take selfies at a specific point in time – when we’re in beautiful surroundings, when we feel pretty, or when we want to show a specific state (it could even be tears). Selfies are typically quick snapshots taken to capture a moment or seek validation. Often, we look pretty cringe in our selfies because it's taken seconds to capture them. So, there is no real time for prep.

On the other hand, self-portraits are more deliberate and often convey a deeper message or emotion. Selfies require minimal preparation, while self-portraits often involve planning and preparation. Self-portraits can be seen as a form of self-expression and can evoke emotions in the viewer. They require prior planning and preparation. Finding an artistic background, figuring out where to put your phone or DLSR if you don’t have a tripod… Then, practice nice poses. It’s almost like having a professional photoshoot but done by yourself.

P.S. Notice the big difference in how I look in the self-portraits in this post vs the selfie (taken in 2021 by the way). The photos look okay in my view, and the selfie is so bad - it is all a matter of camera angle and posing.

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