Photo: Raisa Kanareva / Shutterstock
Can we all agree the kissy face has got to go?
By Mary Rose — Updated on Jan 11, 2023
We may think of selfies as a modern phenomena, but the first known person to take one was actually American photographer Robert Cornelius way back in 1839.
Self portraits like his weren't easy to capture, though. So it wasn't until the inventions of both the front-facing camera and social media that selfies as we know them now really took off.
It's tough to pinpoint the exact origins of viral terms in the age of the internet. Some say the term "selfie" was coined by Australian man named Nathan Hope when he shared a drunken photo of himself back in 2002. Hope denies this however, insisting the word was "something that was just common slang at the time, used to describe a picture of yourself."
Regardless of how they earned their name, selfies are now pretty much a way of life.
People of all shapes and sizes, in every corner of this earth, now take and, most importantly, post these in-your-face-look-at-me pixilated gems all the time.
Selfie was awarded Word of the Year by the Oxford Dictionary in 2013, and for that we can probably thank selfie queen, Kim Kardashian. She’s posted thousands of the little suckers: in her bathing suit, getting her makeup done, on dream vacations and with her adorable flock of kids, going so far as to have released a book of her selfies aptly titled "Kim Kardashian Selfish."
As social media explodes and the world gets smaller and smaller, we are all (thankfully?) constantly updated on everyone’s lives. Your neighbor, your brother-in-law, the guy on the news — even your doctor takes selfies.
Here's a break down of 15 common types of selfies people love to post, and what everyone else is thinking when they do (with celebrity selfies as examples).
You’re welcome.
Warning: When taking a selfie, proceed with caution. Objects on Instagram can and will appear more filtered and awesome in your mind then they are in reality.
1. The "I'm On A Plane, NBD" selefie
Oh, you travel by airplane? Cool. FYI: So does everyone else.
We get it, you're so excited about this trip that you won’t tell us about because you are trying to stay somewhat mysterious (vaguebook, much?) by just giving us a glimpse into your ultra-fabulous-airplane-traveling life. #bringmesomepeanuts
2. The "Belfie" selfie
Who knew the Belfie — shorthand for "butt selfie" — even existed? The Kardashian sisters, that's who! They practically invented the genre.
Pro tip: If you've got a nice donkey booty, go ahead and snap a quick shot! Everybody likes some junk in the trunk. #welikebigbutts
3. The "Bromance" selfie
Rarely do you hear the words "adorable" and “selfie” in the same sentence, but alas the bromance-selfie hits it on the head. Guys can be super cute when they huddle in for a smile session! #weapprove
4. The "I'm In A Car" selfie
This selfie is taken in the car, on the way to some place where you had to shower and actually put on makeup.
This photo is posted to tell us that you're either waiting on someone to hurry it up, or to notify the world that you in fact took a shower today. We're not sure. #sofreshandsoclean
5. The "Dog Lover" selfie
We love every animal, the smaller the better. Bring on the cute!
You could even just snap a pic of the animal alone, we're okay with that too. #welovepuppies
6. The "Kissy Face" selfie
Also known as ‘duck face.’ Either way, can we stop this one, like forever? #gross
7. The "I'm In Love" selfie
Be careful with this selfie.
Playing kissy face with your new crush can go from adorable to gag-worthy with one slip of the tongue. #keepitclassy
8. The "No Makeup" selfie
As we become more confident in our selfie-taking skills we become experts on lighting.
The right lighting can make everyone look good, even without makeup. (To those of you who just wake up like a Neutrogena ad, we half hate you and half love you, FYI.) #lovetheskinyourein
9. The "Shirtless Guy" selfie
We love these. We can't wait to see another.
If you work out, it's even better. #nicepecs
10. The "We're Having SO Much Fun" selfie
The selfie you take with all of your friends at that really cool party, you know, the one that everyone was talking about, but only some of you were invited to.
11. The "I'm A Vacationing Fool" selfie
Oh, boy. We see that cool place you're visiting and we want to be there, too. It's a beach right?
We couldn't tell from your feet in the sand, or your long tan legs on a beach chair.
12. The "Weather Report" selfie
Just in case we somehow forgot how to check the weather on our smartphones, or worse, lost the remote to the TV to check the news, you have us covered!
Show us that adorable coat that's half off, or the cute new cut-offs that we've been dreaming about. #fashionshow
13. The "I Woke Up Like This" selfie
Do we believe you woke up looking semi-decent without even a smattering of product on your face?
Maybe ... but we are definitely skeptical. #imtryingtobelieveyou
14. The "I'm Hard At Work" selfie
This selfie usually doesn't include your face, but it does include your super cool, super hip environment.
Thanks for reminding us we work in a cube the size of a dog crate. #wewantyourjob
15. The "I Work Out" selfie
We get it. #noonecares
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Mary Rose Mielcarek is YourTango's Photo Editor.