Michelle Dawn Mooney
An Ode to the Selfie for World Photography Day

On this World Photography Day, you and I are encouraged to celebrate all the things photo. Chances are you probably already have a gazillion pics on your phone right now. Quite a few, if not all, may very well be of the selfie variety. Nearly two-thirds of Americans take selfies and it appears our obsession with them isn't as new as we might think. In fact the gentleman you see at the top of the article (Robert Cornelius) is not just a guy who looks like he has some amazing hair gel working, he is the man behind the first ever selfie, taken back in 1839.
While the selfie may have gotten its start back in the 19th century, it wasn't until the 21st when the term really started popping up everywhere. By 2013, it found its way in to the online version of the Oxford English Dictionary, which announced that "selfie" was the "word of the year".
So, whether you find your inspiration in the beauty of nature around you; in the activities of your friends, or family (furry or otherwise); or you find your face is your best muse, get out there and start snapping. Put your best pics forward to show some World Photo Day love! To provide you with a little added inspiration, I'll leave you with you this little "Selfie" poem (written in 2 minutes, so don't judge). ;)
To see myself in pictures
Is a favorite thing indeed
If no one's there to take one
I find myself in need
With one arm out, my other posed
I pray my home screen doesn't close
Before I've had the chance to click
and see me smile in my "selfie" pic
Happy Photo Day!