So, about 60% of the shots I take are with my tripod and a timer.  20% my husband takes, and the other 20% one of my parents take.  (*edited to add* As I’ve gotten better with this process, I now take about 98% of the shots of me/me with Maya).  When I take images with my tripod and timer this is how I do it.

1-Put my camera on a tripod.

2- Find something I can focus on.  I’ve used a chair, Maya’s stroller, a long stick stuck in the grass, and then I figured out I could use a light stand.  Most people won’t have a light stand, so just use anything that will stand on it’s own that’s at least 3 feet tall.  (*edited to add.  I now tie something onto the top of my stand, so that the camera really has something clear to focus on.  I actually tied a little stuffed animal to it :})

3-Have your lens on auto focus.  Focus on your fake subject, and while you still have the shutter pressed halfway down, move the focus to manual.  This will keep the focus locked where you want it.

4-Mark where you had your fake subject.  If you are shooting at a shallow depth of field, a few inches will matter.  I usually use a leaf or a crack in the pavement.

5-Either use the self timer button or a shutter release.  I’ve got both, but end up using the self timer, so that I don’t have to worry about having something in my hand.  Plus, a lot of the times that’s how I get good laughing shots on my own.  I might trip on my way back to my spot, have a neighbor drive by wondering what the heck I’m doing, or just laugh at the hilariousness of it all.

Ok, truth be told.  It doesn’t ALWAYS work haha.  I almost scrapped this post because I totally messed up on the focusing, but why just show my success stories?  Maya now thinks it’s a fun game.  Press the button, run to the spot…go back to the camera.  Over and over :).It also helps to have a handy assistant to lug all your gear around for you 😉 Good Luck!!

On me…

Jeans- Cherokee

Top- Gap

Sweater– H&M (old)

Shoes- Converse