Nigel Barker Shows Detroiters How To Take A 'Soafie' (VIDEO)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Art Van Furniture took over downtown Detroit with 55 sofas to celebrate the release of the company's 2014 Fall Style Catalog.

A variety of sofas were set up near Campus Martius for the event, which featured celebrity photographer Nigel Barker, who took selfies - of "sofies" - with downtown workers.

"We decided to do the first-ever sofa flash mob right here in downtown Detroit," said Diana Sikes, senior vice president of marketing, Art Van Furniture.

She added that the event was a way to highlight the furniture company's new Urban Living collection, which is a loft-style and inspired furniture line which fits perfectly in the city.

"It is really catching fire," said Sikes of the style of furniture, and activity in the city. "We have seen more activity come down here .... our hope is one day we actually will be able to put one of our stores right in the city."

Those who took photos downtown, or in stores, and tag the pictures with the hashtags #ArtVan and #SofaSelfie and then post it on their personal social media sites have a chance to win one of 55 sofas.

Among the tips Barker gave for the perfect selfie included:

• You don't want your arm too high up, or else you end up getting a "really big head" in the photo.
• Make sure you are looking at the lens on the camera instead of the picture display so you don't look "cross-eyed."
• When you look at the lens, think of something. "Don't just take a picture to be in the picture. It's not voyeurism. You want to have an opinion, so think of a lovely piece of chocolate melting in your mouth. How does it taste? Taste good? Let your eyes do the talking."

This was the first of three "soafies" events. Similar events will be held in Grand Rapids and Chicago.