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The University of Texas at Austin
April 20, 2024
UT News
Campus & Community
Jun 21, 2017

In Celebration of Selfies

Celebrate National Selfie Day with this UT roundup of all things selfie.

By: Nicholas Persac
Two color orange horizontal divider

Nearly 200 years ago, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took The First Photograph, and the first selfies were not far behind.

Now, the term “selfie” has a spot in the dictionary, and there’s even a special holiday dedicated to sharing selfies – June 21st. 

So, celebrate National Selfie Day with this UT roundup of all things selfie — from famous faces snapped on campus to the perfect spots on campus for your next photo-op:

You might recognize some of these faces…

Kevin Durant
Former Texas Basketball player Kevin Durant poses for a selfie with fans at a football game in DKR.

Deep in the (Kevin) Hart of Texas #KimmelinAustin

A post shared by Jessica Lauren (@jkimsies) on

Bill Clinton poses for a selfie

President Bill Clinton poses for a picture with LBJ’s great grandson at the Civil Rights Summit on campus in 2014.

Val Kilmer takes a selfie with the Longhorn Band in 2013

Actor Val Kilmer takes a selfie with the Longhorn Band in 2013.

 

Hook ’em, @SnoopDogg! 🤘🏼Everyone looks better in burnt orange.

A post shared by UT Austin (@utaustintx) on

 

…But you probably haven’t seen a selfie from a marine biologist…

 

 

Taken by a marine biologist at the Mission-Aransas Reserve at UT Austin’s Marine Science Institute, this video shows some of this researcher’s day-to-day life. Located in Port Aransas, Texas, the Marine Science Institute is the oldest and most significant marine research facility on the Texas coast.

…or one that took three years to make.

 

 

One UT Austin alumnus sold all of his belongings and put his passport and selfie stick to use. The San Antonio Express-News reports Alex Chacón visited 41 countries on seven motorcycles over more than 130,000 miles — all while taking one, big, epic selfie. And to help change the world, Chacón not only worked with local charities during his travels but also set up his now-viral YouTube channel to benefit specific causes.

Wondering if you should take that next selfie? Our researchers know.

Texas Women

Members of the Texas Women’s Golf team pose for a selfie after winning the Big 12 Conference Championship.

UT researchers looked at a group of 700 travelers before, during and after vacations, and their findings are good news for your Instagram profile: travelers who take selfies are more likely to remember trips and the feelings that come with vacations. Or, as Bravo reports: “In short, the takeaway message is selfies can actually be a good thing on vacation — the research even suggests that changing your pattern to include, and share, a few key moments can have positive mental benefits over a longer term for people who would be otherwise inclined to eschew the controversial habit.”

Our leaders take some good selfies too.

 

But if you want the perfect selfie, come to campus.

tower and orange flowers

While the UT Tower is one of the top 10 places in Austin to snap a selfie, there are plenty of other spots on the Forty Acres waiting to be the backdrop for your next selfie. From iconic landmarks and inspiring art to breathtaking landscapes and share-worthy spots, check out our photo guide to campus and start snapping.

 

World-class museums. Strolls under the oaks. Dazzling photo ops.

There’s no shortage of summer activities on the Forty Acres. Come explore.

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