The Ussie: The Next Level Selfie

It was in the dark back corner of a local establishment on a Friday night when I decided to attempt a selfie after 3 or 4 drinks.  Not only did I forget my own manual, I imagined I looked GREAT.  At that moment a passerby in the party scene popped up behind me in classic photobomb fashion. This prompted me to invite them into the shot. Why not, right? The following morning after reviewing my photos from the night before (this is always a good idea before posting them to social media), I determined that as lovely as the blurry, dark image which primarily captured my sweaty forehead and his chin was, there was definitely room for improvement. I’m a certified selfie master, but what happens when there are an additional two or three people included in my shot? Thus, I embarked in a deep thought-provoking debate with myself over what we call a multi-person selfie.

As we all know, in 2013 Oxford Dictionary announced their 2013 word of the year.

Selfie

NOUN (plural selfies)

• informal

A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.

But what happens if there are an additional one, two, or as we most recently saw in the infamous Ellen DeGeneres / Bradley Cooper Twitter celebrity selfie record holding eleven people in one shot called? A groupie?  I scoured the internet for many terms and finally came to a conclusion:  I don’t know what you’re into, but I personally don’t want to be labeled as or take part in a “Groupie” and took quite a liking to the term “Ussie” (pronounced: Us-ee). I am not the creator of this term nor do I know who created it (pat on the back to you!) but I now am addicted to not only saying, but CAPTURING ussies.

Now that the name is out of the way, here are some helpful hints and tips to ensure that you and your significant others and/or best pals, nail a perfect self–I mean ussie:

1.  Make sure that you and any of your companions have practiced your pose(s). A few calculated poses before the ultimate snap will save the “no, delete that one” conversation which includes you looking really hot and them resembling SLOTH from The Goonies.

2.  The person with the longest arm should be the one taking the picture to ensure the most panoramic and flattering view. We want to see as much of the two (or more) of you. No half faces. If one of you is taller than the other, it’s going to make the most sense to have them capture said glam shot. Ensure whoever is taking this image doesn’t hold the record for shakiest hand possible, otherwise you will both be an obscure mess. If you are taking a picture with your significant other and are the shorter of the couple, try standing in front of your taller counterpart- in this case, you would be the best candidate for camera holding. Your partner can also hold the camera and steady the angle and you can hit the button to avoid any shaking or awkward angle photo snapping.

Sidenote: I personally never take good “ussies” with my significant other (I’m my own worst critic). If all else fails and you really want to capture your love, the classic “kissing pose” can be done. Those are always adorable in my personal opinion. Don’t overdo it!

3.  I can’t EVER stress this enough, LIGHTING. Too dark can cast shadows, too light can make you look pale and starchy. The more people in one shot– the MORE important your lighting must be.

4. WHERE DO WE LOOK?!- Some people look at their reflection. Others look directly into the camera eye. Whichever you choose to do it’s usually best (but not by any means mandatory) to look in the same direction.

5. We all have a photogenic side. What do we do if it’s the SAME side? Easy as a simple game of  rock, paper, scissors! Just kidding. If you both share the same “side”  you can always try switching up the seductive model faces for some funny ones or if you want to be mega cheesy, you can look at each other and capture a moment. One person behind the other will also work.

6. Furry friends are always a welcomed addition to the ussie. If you have a fur-child like mine, they can’t stop fidgeting and there may be numerous attempted shots of you trying to get them under camera-ready control. I know I can always win my pup over with offers of treats or a casual belly rub while getting my pose and my pup ready for our Kodak moment. I’m not above bribing animals for pictures- you shouldn’t be either.

Now that I have shared my easiest steps. I strongly recommend taking as many “ussies” as humanly possible. Remember, there is  never a wrong time for a selfie. And NEVER a wrong time for you, friends, family, spouses and pets to take a memory lasting USSIE!