How do I, literally, take a good self-portrait?

I'm trying to get senior pictures done. The problem is I have a Nikon camera that only I seem to know how to use. I put portrait lens on it to make it easier for my mom and my brothers so they could do it properly. Just point, focus, and shoot. But somehow, they can't even do that right.

My dad is great at photography though, but unfortunately he's gone for a few months and I have a deadline, ugh.

I feel like my only option is to do it myself. I've done it before with other cameras and such, but this is a portrait lens so it makes it more difficult for me. I don't have a tripod, either. I could use normal lens and probably add a soft focus around me on a photo editor, but I don't really want to.

Any tips?

Sounds like a good time to get a tripod.

A wireless remote would also help tremendously, you can get a china copy of Nikon's remote on ebay for two dollars or so. I got the one from Zeikos and it works just fine.

Anyway, lacking a tripod you could put the camera onto a shelf or something like that.

One problem will be the focus. Use the center autofocus point and position yourself so that you can see a reflection of yourself in the lens. Then you're precisely in front of it and the autofocus will put focus on your face. A UV filter on the lens may slightly put this off though. Just experiment and observe.
Just wondering… I take it that you use the 50/1.8 lens, on a camera that can autofocus with it? If not, then you should use the kit lens instead. Autofocus will be absolutely essential for self portraits.

Get a tripod and a remote release.

Set a chair or posing stool up.

Put a prop on the stool, where your face will be, and manually focus on it.

Sit, trigger camera with remote. Check for composition and adjust.

You are just killing yourself not having a tripod. Just go to Wal Mart and get a cheapie for now. Any tripod will be better than any other kind of makeshift camera "support" with no adjustment. Do you not have any friends with a tripod they will lend you. Most any serious photo enthusiast will have at least one. I have 6.

I'm assuming you are using digital. These kinds of questions are really so moot to me. With digital you can see immediately what is happening and then make necessary corrections.

You do not have to have a remote release. Use the self timer. If I'm not mistaken, Nikon cameras focus AFTER the timer times out. In other words, you do NOT have to pre-focus on an object and lock in focus. Just set up the camera on the tripod, place a mark of some sort on the floor, start the timer on the camera, go stand at the marker, and let the camera focus and take the shot. Composition may be all wrong. So what? Just move the camera or your position as needed until you have it nailed.

I'm assuming you have understanding of flattering lighting, and non distracting background selection.

Bottom line, DO get a tripod, use the self timer, then simply work with your results to fine tune as needed until you have the photo correct.