Selfies are a great way to take videos and photos on your camera or mobile device to capture your memories.
THE BEST PART is you can do it all ON YOUR OWN once you’ve read through these instructions.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this step-by-step guide to monopod selfie stick photography!
How to Use Selfie Sticks
Step 1: Unbox and Charge Your Bluetooth Selfie Stick
Of course, this only applies to those using a wireless monopod. That’s because the wired kind does not require any charging time.
So now that your Bluetooth selfie stick has finally arrived, it’s time to unbox and recharge it. Generally, you’ll find the following things inside:
- The selfie stick
- Micro USB cable for charging
- Remote (if any)
Once you’ve finished unboxing, do the following:
- Get the cable and plug the micro USB side into the monopod.
- Now take the other side (USB-A) and plug that onto your adapter or computer.
- Allow it to FULLY CHARGE. This can take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the model you have.
Step 2: Turn on Your Selfie Stick
Locate the power switch on your monopod. This is typically on the side or at the bottom. Now turn it on.
You’ll typically see a blue LED light turn on if you’ve successfully done this and your Bluetooth selfie stick is sufficiently charged.
Some selfie stick monopod models will keep that blue light blinking until you’ve successfully connected it to your mobile phone.
Step 3: It’s Pairing Time!
Now it’s time for the tricky part: how to pair/connect your device with the Bluetooth selfie stick.
Whether you’re an Android, Windows, or Apple OS user, the steps to connect will be the same.
- Go to your settings.
- Go to Bluetooth and turn it on.
- If it’s your first time to connect to your selfie stick monopod, tap on “search for new device” (on Android). This will bring you to Pairing Mode. There’s NO NEED to do this on the iPhone because it will automatically search the area for devices it can pair with.
- Look for the name of your selfie stick on the list of devices showing on your screen. Then, tap it. It should automatically connect to your device.
You’ll know you’ve made a successful Bluetooth connection if the light on your Bluetooth selfie stick has stopped blinking and your device says it’s connected to the monopod.
If any problems with connecting occur, you may need to redo this step.
For Android users, you can skip steps 3 and 4 if you’ve already successfully connected to the Bluetooth selfie stick before.
Step 4: Mounting the Mobile Phone or Camera on Monopods
Before you start taking camera photos, you need to connect your camera or device to your choice of monopods.
Depending on what you’re using to take the photos, the way you mount it under this step will be different.
When Using A Camera
The majority of the monopods you’ll find have a screw-like thing on top of the pole. For best results, we recommend getting a selfie stick that is specially made for camera use like this one [R].
However, if yours came with the phone holder attached, try removing this by rotating it counter-clockwise to locate the screw. This is where you attach the camera.
When using a selfie stick that comes with a holder, there are 2 things you need to watch out for:
- If you’ve tried to gently but firmly remove the holder and it still won’t come off, there’s a chance that your selfie stick might not be made for camera use.
- Check if the screw is compatible with your camera. Some screws will ONLY FIT the camera holder the selfie stick came with.
Attach your camera firmly and securely on the selfie stick. DON’T FORCE IT, though!
REMEMBER: It’s cheaper and easier to buy a new selfie stick than a new camera if that accidentally falls and breaks!
When Using Your Phone
Make sure your selfie stick has a holder. If you want the flexibility of using both a camera AND a mobile phone, get a monopod that’s made for that.
- Take your holder and pull the 2 clips apart. It should do this easily because of the spring inside it.
- Then, just fit your phone securely onto the holder. It’s best to position it so that the holder is holding onto the MIDDLE of your device.
- If your holder has a padded clip, the steps are the same, except that instead of sandwiching your device in the middle of the 2 spring-loaded clips, you’ll be using the padded clip to secure it on the selfie stick.
- Either way, let go of the clips only when you’re sure your mobile phone is tight and securely attached.
- Try to wiggle it around while it’s in the clip to test the placement and adjust the angle. It should be tight enough that it won’t fall on its own, but NOT SO MUCH that you’ll have trouble when turning it or when you slide it out after taking your photos.
- Once you’re happy with it, TIGHTEN the screw to lock your device in place.
- If you’re using a wired selfie stick, this is when you attach it to the headphone jack.
WARNING: If you have a big phone like a big Samsung Galaxy Plus Android phone, some selfie sticks may not work for you due to the following reasons.
- The bracket may be TOO SMALL.
- The stick may be UNABLE TO CARRY the device’s weight.
So before buying a selfie stick, check whether it can fit the Android or iPhone you’re planning to use as a camera for your videos or selfies.
Step 5: Extend and Adjust for the Perfect Photo
Whether you want to take a selfie, a group photo, or maybe even a video, you’ll need to extend the selfie stick to frame your photo subjects properly. This is easy enough.
Just keep one hand on the bottom of the holder and the other on top. Gently pull so that the monopod can easily slide to extend or contract as you need.
Step 6: Take Those Selfies!
Test the connection by taking a few practice shots with your camera and remote or selfie stick. Once everything’s working, you’re ready to start taking those selfies.
PRO TIP: If the remote doesn’t work, try downloading a camera app so you can set a camera timer manually.
Different Types of Selfie Sticks
There are two kinds of selfie sticks available on the market. The exact steps on how to use it will depend on what type you have. Let us break it down for you.
Wired Selfie Stick
The wired selfie stick works by attaching the stick to the headphone jack of your phone. The good side? It’s basically foolproof. You don’t need to worry about Bluetooth or pairing. Why so?
- It requires ZERO charging.
- It’s compatible with any device, as long as it has a headphone jack.
Wireless Selfie Stick
Unlike the wired kind, the wireless version doesn’t require a headphone jack.
It uses Bluetooth to connect to your device. This does require charging, but the wireless type can generally last for a couple of days once fully charged before you’ll need to plug them in again.
The biggest downside to these wireless sticks is that the Bluetooth connection can be finicky. Plus, some have an iPhone vs. Android issue, where it works with Android devices but not Apple ones.
In this case, it’s best to look at the reviews of the selfie stick you’re planning to buy to check if it’s compatible with your Bluetooth device first.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these instructions for using your Bluetooth selfie stick monopod will help you take amazing selfies!
After all, these aren’t just shots. More importantly, they’re memories you’ll hold onto FOR LIFE!