The secrets to styling and starring in your own branded UGC

Not every shoot needs a hired model, a full production team, or a perfectly planned setup.

Sometimes the easiest and most effective option is simply using yourself. My partner Ryan and I do this in our shoots more and more, especially for product photography and UGC.

A lot of creators are doing the same across their UGC, lifestyle content and product photography. And when you're the one stepping into the frame, you already know your angles, your style and the exact vibe you want the final images to have.

If you've been wanting to step into your own content more, here are a few simple tips to make self-modelled photos feel more polished and intentional.

Embracing your features

Everyone has unique features that make them stand out. The key to featuring yourself is understanding which angles work best for you.

Shooting from slightly above eye level, for example, can accentuate your eyes and soften your jawline. Small adjustments like this can completely change how your content feels.

The more you experiment with angles, lighting and expressions, the easier it becomes to find what works naturally for you.

Wardrobe choices

Your wardrobe should enhance the product without stealing the spotlight.

When choosing an outfit, think about the product's colour, texture and purpose. A clean and simple look usually helps keep the attention where it should be…on the product itself.

Tip: avoid busy patterns that might distract from the overall shot. Neutral tones and softer textures often work best for product-focused content.

In the content we captured for Echoes Snacks, we wore simple clothes in neutral colours that complemented the product's colour and purpose.

Using self-timer

Set your camera on a stable surface or tripod and use a remote trigger or timer delay to give yourself time to get into position.

It might feel awkward at first, but after a few tries it becomes surprisingly natural.

When shooting on location, some creators tether their camera to a laptop and use Capture One to see the scene in real time, making sure everything is styled and framed perfectly before taking the final shots. You can see this in action in our behind the scenes from the Gentleman Jack campaign for Jack Daniel’s.

And if you're not fully ready to step in front of the camera yet, you can always start with simple hand modelling first. Adding a simple human element like a hand can make your content feel more natural and lifestyle-driven.

We also shared a few simple hand modelling tips for product photography here.

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Stepping into the frame

Using yourself as a model is one of the easiest ways to make your content feel more authentic and personal. It gives you more creative freedom, helps you create whenever inspiration hits and adds a natural human element to your photos and videos.

And honestly, the more you practice it, the more comfortable and confident it becomes.

Thank you Brittany for stepping into the spotlight and sharing your tips! Brittany and Ryan are the creative duo behind Mainstream Multi-Media. Learn more about their inspiring story as creators and their journey with Creatively Squared in their blog feature.

The creator duo bringing studio-quality content and elevated UGC to brands