1. The Picasso Snap
Who knew you’d discover your creative calling on an app that has fewer tools than MS Paint? The Picasso Snap is the most time-consuming snap to create, which is a plus because it usually happens right before a deadline and right after you’ve exhausted other means of procrastination, such as cleaning your room and eating all the granola bars on your bedside table.
2. The “Effortlessly” Gorgeous Snap
You know what we’re talking about. It’s the one you send to the hot guy you’ve been flirting with that has a nonchalant caption—like, “bumming around in my room”—when in actuality you reapplied your makeup and took 10 snaps to get the perfect selfie. We’re sure he’ll chock it up to chance that you look like a supermodel on a lazy weekday—or, more accurately, in every Snapchat you send him. Ever.
3. The “You’re One of My BFFs” Snap
On the opposite end of the spectrum, this snap is reserved exclusively for your trustworthy friends, because you’re straining every muscle to make a weird face—think cross-eyed, flared nostrils and chins for days (thanks to a super-low camera angle). You know you’ve reached the gold level of friendship when you receive and send these snaps on the regular. There’s no better way tell a friend that you love and trust her than with a snap that really says, “my reputation is in your hands.”
4. The “You Better Not Screenshot This” Snap
On a more risqué note, this is the kind of snap that could ruin your career if someone took a screenshot. While many people keep their clothes on for Snapchat, there will always be a small subset who asks their snap recipients, “is it hot in here, or is it just me?” We’ll spare you the obscene example and instead show you a hilarious PG-13 version below.
5. The Celebration Snap
This snap is a fun way of sharing how you’re spending the major holidays, whether it be at a dysfunctional family dinner or at a romantic restaurant with your beau. Holiday snaps are great because they’re more intimate than a mass text, but they take less work than personalized messages—because who has time type out someone’s name? The celebration snap is an easy way to spread holiday cheer and say, “Hey, look at all this pumpkin pie I shouldn’t be eating!”
6. The “I <3 My Pet” Snap
No matter the social media platform, it is always appropriate to give some screentime to your furry friends. The Pet Snap is the modern-day equivalent of whipping out your wallet to show off a million pictures of your baby (who probably has the same pose and expression in every picture). “Just look at those ears and that cute little nose! Doesn’t it make you want to eat him up?!” *cue embarrassing cooing noises*
7. The Point-and-Laugh Snap
Did you see a total WTF parking job or a bizarre flyer for whistling lessons that you can’t help but make fun of? This snap is a guilt-free (ish) way to share any ridiculousness that you encounter throughout your day—because taking an actual picture would just be mean.
8. The “My Life is Like a Movie” Snap
From being on the coast of France or at a rooftop party in NYC, you’re having an unreal experience, and you have to brag a little to your friends. This is usually a video snap that pans around for maximum exposure of the paradise that is your life. It’s the new, more socially acceptable way of saying, “Wish you were here, suckers!”
9. The Clever Caption Snap
If you don’t have the luxury of hopping on a plane to an exotic destination, you can always create a priceless snap from your own imagination. A witty caption can turn an otherwise average picture into a brilliant example of thinking outside the box. The snap below proves the human race has really evolved from “sharing is caring.”