Taking a great selfie isn't just about pointing your camera and clicking. It's an art form that many people struggle with, yet it's become an essential part of how we share our lives online. Whether you're updating your social media profile or sending a quick snap to friends, knowing how to look your best in selfies can boost your confidence and improve your online presence.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll share practical tips, techniques, and tricks that will transform your selfie game from amateur to amazing. These aren't complicated photography techniques—just simple adjustments anyone can make for more flattering and fun self-portraits.

Finding Your Best Angle

The angle of your selfie can dramatically change how you look in photos. Most people have a "good side" that photographs better than the other.

Discover Your Best Side

Everyone's face has natural asymmetry, which means one side might be more photogenic than the other. Here's how to find yours:

• Take several test photos from different angles
• Hold your phone slightly above eye level (the most universally flattering angle)
• Try photos from both the left and right sides
• Compare the results to see which angle you prefer

Once you've identified your best angle, you can make it your go-to position for future selfies.

The Power of the High Angle

Holding your camera slightly above eye level (about 10-15 degrees) is generally flattering for most people. This angle:

• Makes your eyes appear larger
• Defines your jawline
• Creates a slimming effect for your face

Avoid extremely low angles (shooting up at your face) as they can emphasize unflattering features like double chins or nostrils.

Mastering Lighting for Selfies

Lighting might be the single most important factor in taking great selfies. Even the most photogenic person can look terrible in bad lighting.

Natural Light is Your Friend

Natural light produces the most flattering selfies. Here's how to use it effectively:

• Face toward a window for soft, even illumination
• Early morning and late afternoon offer the most flattering "golden hour" light
• Avoid harsh midday sun that creates strong shadows
• Never take selfies with bright light behind you (backlight) unless you're going for a silhouette effect

Indoor Lighting Solutions

When natural light isn't available, try these indoor lighting tricks:

• Use a ring light (they create even lighting and attractive circular reflections in your eyes)
• Position yourself facing a lamp with a white or soft-colored shade
• Avoid overhead lighting that casts shadows under your eyes
• Steer clear of mixed lighting (like natural light plus artificial light) which can create odd color casts

The Car Selfie Phenomenon

Ever notice how good people look in car selfies? There's a reason! Cars provide excellent diffused lighting from all directions. The windows filter harsh sunlight while bouncing light evenly onto your face from multiple angles.

Perfecting Your Selfie Pose

Your pose contributes significantly to how you look in selfies. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Face and Neck Positioning

• Slightly extend your neck forward and down (the "turtle technique") to define your jawline
• Tilt your chin down slightly while keeping your eyes on the camera
• Relax your face to avoid the "forced smile" look

Body Language in Selfies

Even though selfies often focus on your face, your body position matters too:

• Turn your body slightly at an angle rather than facing the camera straight-on
• Create space between your arms and body for a more flattering silhouette
• Use one arm to take the photo and position the other in a natural, relaxed pose

Hand Placement

What to do with your free hand? Try these options:

• Lightly touch your hair or face
• Rest it naturally on your hip or in a pocket
• Hold a prop like a coffee cup or sunglasses

Expressions That Photograph Well

Your facial expression can make or break your selfie. Here's how to put your best face forward:

The Natural Smile

A genuine smile always looks better than a forced one. To create a natural-looking smile:

• Think of something that genuinely makes you happy
• Laugh just before taking the photo to capture a more authentic expression
• Slightly squint your eyes (the "smize" or smiling with your eyes) for a more engaged look

Beyond the Smile

Don't limit yourself to just smiling in every selfie. Try these other expressions:

• The subtle smirk (one corner of mouth slightly raised)
• The thoughtful look (relaxed mouth, focused eyes)
• The surprised expression (raised eyebrows, slightly open mouth)

Avoiding Common Expression Pitfalls

Some expressions rarely photograph well:

• The wide-open mouth smile can look forced
• Extremely raised eyebrows can appear unnatural
• The "duck face" is generally considered outdated

Camera Settings and Technical Tips

The technical aspects of taking selfies can significantly impact the final result.

Focus and Exposure

Most smartphones allow you to tap the screen to set focus and exposure. For selfies:

• Tap on your eyes to ensure they're in sharp focus
• If your face appears too dark or too bright, adjust the exposure by sliding up or down after tapping (on most phones)

Using Timers and Remote Triggers

To avoid the awkward "arm in the shot" look:

• Use your phone's self-timer (3-10 seconds usually works well)
• Invest in a simple Bluetooth remote shutter control
• Try voice commands if your phone supports them ("Say cheese" or "Take photo")

Resolution and Camera Settings

For the highest quality selfies:

• Use the highest resolution your front camera offers
• Clean your camera lens regularly with a microfiber cloth
• Consider using HDR mode in challenging lighting situations

Selfie Equipment Worth Considering

While you don't need fancy equipment for great selfies, a few affordable tools can help.

Selfie Sticks: Not Just for Tourists

Despite their sometimes negative reputation, selfie sticks offer real advantages:

• Create a more flattering angle by positioning the camera higher
• Include more background or people in your shot
• Reduce the "big hand in foreground" effect of close-up selfies

Lighting Equipment

Equipment	Best For	Approximate Cost
Ring Light	Even facial lighting, creating catch-lights in eyes	$15-50
Clip-on Phone Light	Portable lighting for on-the-go selfies	$5-20
LED Light Panels	Professional-looking lighting with adjustable brightness	$20-100

Tripods and Mounts

For hands-free selfies:

• Mini tripods that fit in a purse or pocket ($10-25)
• Flexible tripods that can wrap around objects ($15-30)
• Full-size tripods with phone mounts for more stability ($25-50)

Preparing Your Look for Selfies

A little preparation can go a long way toward improving your selfies.

Skincare and Makeup Tips

Cameras can highlight texture and shine, so consider these adjustments:

• Use a mattifying primer or blotting papers to reduce shine
• Apply slightly more blush than usual as cameras can wash out color
• Define your eyebrows, as they frame your face in photos
• Consider using a light-reflecting concealer under eyes to brighten dark circles

Hair Styling for Selfies

Your hair can make a big difference in your selfies:

• Add extra volume if your hair tends to look flat in photos
• Tame flyaways which can be more noticeable in photos than in mirrors
• Consider how your hairstyle looks from different angles

Clothing and Accessories

What you wear affects how you look in selfies:

• Solid colors typically photograph better than busy patterns
• Necklines matter—V-necks and scoop necks tend to be flattering
• Statement jewelry can add interest to simple outfit selfies
• Consider the contrast between your clothing and the background

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Background Selection and Composition

The background of your selfie can enhance or detract from the final image.

Choosing Flattering Backgrounds

The best selfie backgrounds are:

• Simple and uncluttered (avoid "busy" backgrounds with lots of details)
• Complementary to your outfit and overall look
• Interesting but not distracting

The Rule of Thirds

Rather than centering yourself in every shot, try placing your face at one of the intersections of an imaginary grid that divides your frame into thirds (both horizontally and vertically). This creates a more visually interesting composition.

Background Mistakes to Avoid

Be aware of these common background issues:

• Messy rooms or cluttered spaces
• Unflattering bathroom lighting and décor
• Objects that appear to be "growing" out of your head
• Photobombers you didn't notice when taking the picture

Editing Your Selfies

Almost all great selfies benefit from at least minimal editing.

Basic Adjustments Anyone Can Make

Even without special apps, most phones allow you to:

• Adjust brightness and contrast
• Enhance colors and vibrancy
• Crop to improve composition
• Apply simple filters

Popular Editing Apps for Selfies

App Name	Best Features	Skill Level
Snapseed	Professional-grade adjustments, selective editing	Beginner to Advanced
VSCO	Film-inspired filters, clean editing interface	Beginner to Intermediate
Facetune	Skin smoothing, feature enhancement	Beginner
Adobe Lightroom Mobile	Color grading, presets, advanced adjustments	Intermediate to Advanced

Editing Ethics: Keeping It Real

While editing can enhance your selfies, consider these guidelines:

• Aim for enhancement rather than complete transformation
• Be mindful of creating unrealistic beauty standards
• Consider how heavy editing might affect your self-image over time

Group Selfies: Special Considerations

Taking selfies with friends requires different techniques than solo shots.

Positioning for Group Selfies

To fit everyone in comfortably:

• Use landscape orientation rather than portrait
• Position taller people toward the center back
• Have everyone lean their heads slightly inward
• Stand in a slight arc rather than a straight line

Technical Tips for Group Shots

• Use a wider angle lens if your phone has one
• Set a timer so everyone can get in position
• Take multiple shots to increase the chance of everyone looking good
• Consider a selfie stick to get more people in the frame

Selfies for Different Platforms

Different social media platforms have different ideal specifications for photos.

Platform-Specific Considerations

Platform	Ideal Aspect Ratio	Tips
Instagram Feed	1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait)	Leave space around your face for cropping
Instagram Stories	9:16 (vertical)	Use the full vertical space for impact
Facebook	1.91:1 (landscape)	Works well for group selfies
LinkedIn	1:1 (square)	More professional, less casual poses
TikTok	9:16 (vertical)	Dynamic, expressive selfies perform best

Dating App Selfies

For dating profiles, consider these additional tips:

• Include at least one clear face shot without sunglasses
• Show your authentic self rather than heavily filtered images
• Include a mix of selfies and photos taken by others
• Avoid group shots where it's unclear which person you are

Cultural Awareness in Selfies

Being mindful of cultural contexts can help you avoid selfie faux pas.

Location Sensitivity

Some locations require special consideration:

• Religious sites often have rules against photography
• Memorial sites and museums may consider selfies disrespectful
• Private property may have photography restrictions

Global Selfie Etiquette

When traveling or sharing globally:

• Research local customs about photography and privacy
• Be aware that gestures considered innocent in your culture may be offensive elsewhere
• Ask permission before including locals in your selfies

Psychology of Selfies

Understanding the psychological aspects of selfies can help you develop a healthier relationship with them.

Self-Image and Confidence

Selfies can both reflect and affect how you see yourself:

• Taking selfies can help you become more comfortable with your appearance
• Focusing too much on "perfect" selfies can create unrealistic expectations
• Learning to appreciate authentic photos of yourself builds genuine confidence

Balancing Self-Expression and Validation

Healthy selfie habits include:

• Taking photos primarily for your own enjoyment
• Being mindful of seeking excessive validation through likes and comments
• Using selfies as a form of creative expression rather than comparison

Troubleshooting Common Selfie Problems

Even with good technique, you may encounter these common issues:

Blurry Selfies

To fix blurry selfies:

• Clean your camera lens
• Hold your phone more steadily or use a tripod
• Make sure you have adequate lighting
• Tap to focus before taking the photo

Unflattering Shadows

To eliminate harsh shadows:

• Turn toward your light source rather than having it from above or the side
• Use a second light source or reflector to fill in shadows
• Try HDR mode to balance bright and dark areas

Red-Eye and Glare

To reduce these common issues:

• Avoid direct flash when possible
• Look slightly away from the light source
• For glasses wearers, tilt glasses slightly down or adjust the angle of your head

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I take good selfies if I have a double chin?

To minimize a double chin in selfies, extend your neck forward slightly and tilt your chin down just a bit. Hold your phone slightly above eye level and look up toward the camera. This combination of techniques creates a more defined jawline in photos.

2. What's the best way to take selfies if I wear glasses?

To avoid glare on glasses, tilt your glasses slightly downward on your nose or adjust your head angle. Make sure your light source is coming from in front of you rather than the sides. If you still get glare, try moving your head or light source slightly until the reflection disappears.

3. How can I make my selfies look more professional?

For more professional-looking selfies, focus on clean, simple backgrounds, excellent lighting (preferably natural), and minimal editing. Avoid heavy filters and opt for classic poses rather than trendy ones. A tripod and remote shutter can also help create more polished results by eliminating the "selfie arm" look.

4. Why do I look different in selfies compared to regular photos?

Front-facing cameras often use wide-angle lenses that can distort facial features, especially when held close to your face. This lens distortion, combined with the fact that selfies show a mirror image of how others see you, can make you look different than in regular photos. Try holding the camera farther away or using the rear camera with a timer for more accurate representation.

5. How many selfies should I take before choosing the best one?

Professional photographers often take dozens or even hundreds of shots to get one perfect image. For selfies, taking 10-20 photos with slight variations in angle, expression, and position gives you enough options to choose from without becoming excessive. This approach increases your chances of capturing a truly flattering image.

Conclusion

Taking great selfies doesn't require professional photography skills or model-like features—just an understanding of some basic principles and a willingness to practice. By paying attention to lighting, angles, expressions, and composition, anyone can dramatically improve their selfie results.

Remember that the best selfies capture your authentic self in a flattering way, not an unrecognizable, over-filtered version. With the tips in this guide, you'll be able to present your best self confidently in photos while still looking like you.

Most importantly, have fun with the process. Selfies are a form of self-expression and a way to document your life and experiences. When you're enjoying yourself, that positive energy comes through in your photos, making them all the more engaging and authentic.