Selfies have become a popular way for people to express themselves and communicate visually on social media. On Snapchat specifically, selfies can carry different meanings and serve various purposes for users.
Self Expression
At the most basic level, Snapchat selfies are a way for people to show off their appearance, style, and personality. Posting selfies allows users to put their best face forward (quite literally) and present an idealized or enhanced version of themselves. Selfies give Snapchatters a platform to showcase their fashion, hair, makeup, and physical features. Users can get creative with poses, facial expressions, filters, and captions to convey different vibes and aesthetics. In this sense, Snapchat selfies provide a means for self-expression and identity curation.
Communication
Beyond just looking cute or pretty, Snapchat selfies also serve communicative functions. The act of sending someone a selfie through Snapchat mimics the experience of making eye contact and conveys that “I’m thinking about you” vibe. Selfies can be used to start conversations, check-in with friends, show affection, flirt, and keep up relationships. Sending a selfie says “hello!” “good morning!” or “wish you were here!” much more vividly than a text. The visual and ephemeral nature of Snapchat selfies makes them feel more personal and intimate than generic selfies posted elsewhere. Additionally, features like filters, geofilters, stickers, and captions allow users to contextualize their selfies and send messages through them.
Reactions and Feedback
Snapping selfies also enables Snapchatters to engage with their audience and elicit reactions. Posting on one’s Story opens up the opportunity for viewers to respond through chat or simply viewing. The number of Views that accumulate on a Story selfie provides valuable feedback on how popular or eye-catching the post was. Getting lots of Views or comments on a selfie gives users external validation, while lower Views might mean it’s back to the drawing board. Essentially, selfies allow Snapchatters to assess what resonates with their audience. Furthermore, selfies sent directly to friends can spark conversational back-and-forth. The recipient might reciprocate with their own selfie or give compliments, which fuels the interaction.
Documentation and Memories
Snapping mini-selfies throughout the day also creates multimedia memories. Selfies become little visual records of users’ lives that capture moments in time. Looking back on old selfies can transport Snapchatters back to fond memories or past periods of their lives. Especially when users save selfies to Memories or their Camera Roll, these images become keepsakes reminding them of who and where they were at various points. In this way, selfies have a scrapbooking and journaling quality on Snapchat.
Trends and Challenges
Snapchat selfies commonly participate in meme, trend, or challenge-based phenomena as well. Various sites and accounts will issue challenges like “What’s In My Mouth?” or “Show Us Your School Spirit!” that prompt flurries of related Snaps from users. These challenges allow people to join in the viral fun while showing off their personality and creativity. Selfie stunts or effects also emerge organically within Snapchat and get widely mimicked, such as posing with favorite cartoon filters. Staying on-trend with challenge and meme selfies keeps users feeling culturally relevant.
Marketing and Promotion
For influencers, celebrities, brands, and companies, Snapchat selfies are a key part of promotion and marketing. These public figures drive engagement with their fanbase by giving followers snapshot glimpses “behind the scenes” via selfies. Backstage selfies make fans feel special, like they’re part of the inner circle. Companies similarly try to humanize their brand and connect through employee selfies that show the fun side of their culture. Furthermore, selfies help spread awareness of products and services through sponsorships. Overall, selfies done right can strengthen public image and capitalize on Snapchat’s engagement potential.
Riskier or Edgier Self-Presentation
Since Snaps disappear after being viewed, some use Snapchat selfies to present riskier or edgier versions of themselves. Provocative, risqué, or nude selfies can be shared on Snapchat with less permanence or evidence than other social media. The fleeting lifespan of Snaps provides cover for flirty, attention-seeking, or scandalous selfies not meant for the general public or a permanent record. Of course, recipients can still screenshot or capture these images, so any compromising content still carries some danger of spreading. Nonetheless, Snapchat’s temporary format may encourage bolder self-presentation.
Boredom or Procrastination
Finally, many Snapchat selfies arise from boredom or procrastination as well. Snapping random selfies, face swapping with friends, or trying out weird filters provides mindless entertainment during dull moments or study breaks. Simple distraction or escapism drives plenty of spontaneous Snapchat selfie sessions. The app turns into a fidgety outlet for self-amusement when users have nothing better to do.
Conclusion
Snapchat selfies serve a diverse range of purposes that reflect how the platform is used for self-expression, communication, feedback, memories, trends, marketing, risqué content, and boredom relief. Ultimately, the array of possible meanings showcases Snapchat’s identity as a flexible, multifunctional visual communications app grounded in ephemeral sharing. The selfie continues to evolve as a pop culture phenomenon and social media staple, with Snapchat capturing a unique role in that evolution.