Iconic Selfie Spots: Six Selfie Secrets From A New York Times Travel Photographer

We all know Washington state’s capital region for its iconic 287-foot dome, but courtesy of the team here at Experience Olympia, visitors now have 20 more, iconic locations to explore while in town. Visitors can find selfie-ready signs–coined “Selfie Spots”–at scenic, historic, iconic and some even secret (until now) locations.

Selfie Spots range from popular attractions like Tumwater Falls or the Kissing Statue at the waterfront to under-the-radar, locally loved locations like the Old Tenino Bank or Saint Martin’s Staircase. The full list is included below.

Before you start snapping, we tapped an expert for some insight on how to capture that perfect shot. Here are six selfie secrets courtesy of Washington-based, New York Times travel photographer Tegra Stone Nuess:

  1. What’s your favorite time of day to photograph? The best time of day is early morning when the light is soft and evening for golden hour.
  2. What time of day should people consider for photographs–anything specific for wildlife and scenic views? Try avoiding high noon with the sun is directly overhead. Wildlife are more likely to be active in the early morning and late evening as well. During our Fall and Winter months, the best time is the afternoon when there's a chance of a sun break or at least the sky is the brightest.
  3. Sunsets and sunrises are amazing around the Pacific Northwest, any tips for capturing them? The HDR setting on the iPhone is pretty impressive and helps a lot when capturing sunrises and sunsets. Focus on the sky and colors and let the foreground go dark or use silhouettes to add interest.
  4. When photographing people, any creative angles or ideas for maximizing the shot? Play with perspective - move around the subject and try lots of different angles. I like creating symmetry and placing a person right in the middle, or I use the rule of thirds and place subjects on the third facing into the frame.
  5. The selfie – how do you master it? Find your better side (we all have one). Natural, indirect light (like from a window) is the best, but if you're outside, block the sun with your head to get a bright glow. If you feel super awkward like I do, bring a friend in for a group selfie!
  6. Anything else to add? Keep taking photos in between poses- you may end up with a funny expression and nice real moment.

Learn more about Tegra and her work at www.tegrastonenuess.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Find Your Selfie Spot

Or hit every single one!

  1. Tumwater Falls, 110 Deschutes Parkway Southwest, Tumwater
  2. Mark Twain Statue at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard, Tumwater
  3. Tumwater Historical Park, 802 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater
  4. Heritage Park Fountain, 30 5th Ave SW, Olympia
  5. Kissing Statue at Percival Landing Park, 217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia
  6. The Grand Staircase at Saint Martin’s University, Father Meinrad Gaul Dr SE, Lacey
  7. Regional Athletic Complex, 8345 Steilacoom Rd SE, Olympia
  8. Shipwreck Beads, 8560 Commerce Pl Dr NE, Lacey
  9. Old Tenino Bank, 213 Sussex Ave W, Tenino
  10. Tenino Depot Museum at Tenino City Park, Park Avenue East, Tenino
  11. Historic Tenino City Hall, 49 Hodgden St S, Tenino
  12. Great Wolf Lodge, 20500 Old Hwy 99 SW, Centralia
  13. Gate City School House, 16925 Moon Rd SW, Rochester
  14. Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey
  15. Bucoda Welcome Sign, Bucoda
  16. Bucoda Museum, 202 South Main St, Bucoda
  17. Yelm-Tenino Trail, Across the street from City Hall at the Wagon Wheel, Yelm Ave W, Yelm
  18. Yelm Water Tower, 901 NW Rhoton Rd, Yelm
  19. Main Street Cookie Company, Binghampton St, Rainier
  20. Rainier Mural (side of the Main Street Cookie Company Building), Binghampton St, Rainier

Spend the weekend and find dining, lodging, events, festivals and entertainment ideas at www.experienceolympia.com. Make sure to share your best shots with us by tagging social posts #ExperienceOlympia and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@Experience_Oly) and Instagram (@ExperienceOly).

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