National Selfie Day
National Selfie Day, celebrated on June 21st, is a fun and lighthearted occasion that encourages people worldwide to snap and share selfies. The day is to celebrate self-expression, creativity, and the joy of capturing memorable moments with a click.
Ever since smartphones became accessible and with the rise of social media, selfies have become a very normal part of our lives.
DJ Rick McNeely from a radio station in Arlington, Texas, created National Selfie Day on June 21, 2014.
His aim was to encourage people to let out their creativity and enjoy taking a selfie to share with others on social media.
The History of the Selfie
If we think about it, selfies have been around for a very long time.
Even famous painters loved to paint self-portraits of themselves, and many consider those to be the original selfies.
People have also been taking photos of themselves since the invention of the photographic camera, especially since it became available and affordable for most.
One of the first known photos of a person was a selfie taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius, a pioneer photographer.
However, selfies grew in popularity with the rise of social media networks such as MySpace in the early 2000s.
It is thought that an Australian man coined the term “selfie” in 2002.
With the spread of smartphones in recent years, selfies have become a staple in many people's everyday lives.
The word “selfie” officially made it to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013, when it was also the word of the year. Since 2014 “selfie” has been accepted as a word in Scrabble.
Common Types of Selfies
- The Duck Face is one of the oldest and most popular poses to strike for a selfie. A favorite with younger girls as it accentuates the cheekbones.
- The Mirror Selfie and The Bathroom Selfie. These often come together, and are the perfect way to show an outfit, or to take a group selfie. Bathrooms are a popular room to take photos in because of the lighting.
- The Golden Hour Selfie. This is one of the most difficult selfies to get, as the golden hour light only happens for a very short amount of time each day. But when you get one it really pays off.
- The Pet Selfie. Because no one can resist a selfie with their cute dog or cat!
- The Glamor Selfie. Even people who don't usually take selfies can't resist taking one when they're all dressed up for a fancy event.
- The Silly Selfie. These are the most fun ones to take and show that you don't take yourself too seriously.
How to Celebrate National Selfie Day
The best way to celebrate National Selfie Day is to find your best angle, strike a pose and take a selfie!
If you're not used to taking selfies, there are many articles on the internet that offer advice on how to get the perfect selfie. Check them out for some tips, and become a selfie pro.
Don't forget to share it on social media with the hashtag #NationalSelfieDay.
