Selfies have become essential to capturing memories, whether traveling, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a good hair day. While taking a selfie can be fun and spontaneous, achieving the perfect shot requires attention to angles, lighting, and composition.
A well-crafted selfie not only enhances your social media presence but also gives you an idea of what works best when booking a professional photoshoot. If you want flawless selfies and stunning backgrounds, follow these 20 expert tips for mastering the art of taking a selfie.
Where to Look When Taking a Selfie?
When taking a selfie, where you look can make all the difference in how natural and engaging your photo appears. Your gaze helps create a connection with the viewer, whether you’re aiming for a confident, playful, or candid look.
Many people instinctively stare at themselves on the screen, but this can lead to awkward or unfocused expressions. By directing your eyes strategically, you can enhance your selfie and make it feel more polished and professional.
Look at the Camera
One of the most common selfie mistakes is looking at the screen instead of the camera lens. While it’s tempting to check your appearance, looking directly into the lens makes your selfie feel more natural and engaging. This small adjustment can make a significant difference in the quality of your photo.
Solo photoshoot by Nadia, Localgrapher in Cologne
Adjust Your Gaze
Changing where you look can create different moods in your selfie. Looking slightly above the lens gives a confident and flattering effect, while looking slightly to the side can create a candid, thoughtful vibe. Experimenting with different gazes allows you to express different emotions and enhance the storytelling aspect of your photo.
Solo photoshoot by Ben, Localgrapher in Shanghai
Experiment With Expressions
Your eyes can add emotion and depth to your selfies. A soft gaze can make your photo feel more romantic and intimate, while widening your eyes slightly can create a more energetic, engaging expression. By adjusting your eye expressions, you can bring out different sides of your personality and make your selfies more visually compelling.
Solo photoshoot by Luca, Localgrapher in Como
Tell a Story
Slightly squinting, also known as “smizing” (smiling with your eyes), can add intensity and charm to your selfie. This technique, often used by professional models, helps create a more dynamic and engaging expression. Learning how to use your eyes effectively will help you look more relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
Solo photoshoot by Dimitrios, Localgrapher in Crete
Don't Be Far Away
Looking too far from the lens can make your selfie feel disconnected or impersonal. If you want to create a sense of engagement, try to keep your focus near the camera lens. This will help draw the viewer into your photo and make it feel more like a professional portrait.
Solo photoshoot by Jamil, Localgrapher in Abu Dhabi
A professional photographer will help guide your gaze for the best effect in a photoshoot, but practicing different angles in selfies can give you a head start on understanding what works for you.
How to Hold Your Phone When Taking a Selfie?
The way you hold your phone can dramatically change the outcome of your selfie. Finding the best position ensures that you highlight your best features while capturing a well-balanced background. Small adjustments to your phone’s angle can make a big difference in how flattering the final image looks.
Above Eye Level
Holding your phone just above your eyes creates a more flattering angle by elongating your neck and making your face look slimmer. This position also prevents an unflattering double-chin effect, which often happens when the camera is too low. A slightly higher angle naturally enhances facial structure and makes your features appear more defined.
Tilt Your Phone
A subtle downward tilt of the phone enhances the shape of your face by emphasizing contours and reducing unwanted shadows. This angle helps highlight cheekbones and jawlines while minimizing any facial asymmetry. Avoid extreme tilts, as they can make your features look distorted or unnatural.
Use Both Hands
A shaky phone can ruin even the best selfie by causing blurriness or uneven lighting. Holding your phone with both hands provides more control over framing and helps maintain a steady shot. If your hands tend to shake, try resting your elbows on a stable surface or using a selfie stick for additional support.
Bend Your Elbows
Locking your arms while taking a selfie can create a stiff and unnatural posture. Keeping your elbows slightly bent allows for more fluid movements, making it easier to experiment with angles. A relaxed pose also makes your selfie look more natural and professional.
Use a Selfie Stick
If you want to include more of your background or capture a group selfie, a selfie stick is a great tool. It allows you to extend the distance between yourself and the camera, resulting in better framing and a more balanced composition. Just be mindful of your surroundings, especially in crowded places, to avoid blocking others’ views.
Holding your phone correctly is just the first step. In a professional photoshoot, the photographer will help position you to get the best results, but practicing these techniques in your selfies can give you more confidence in front of the camera.
Choosing the Right Background for a Stunning Selfie
A beautiful background can take a selfie from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you are traveling or at home, selecting the right backdrop makes all the difference. A well-composed background adds visual interest, complements your look, and enhances the storytelling aspect of your selfie.
Being intentional about your background ensures that your selfie appears polished and aesthetically pleasing.
Use Natural Light
Outdoor locations with soft natural lighting provide the best conditions for a glowing complexion. Direct sunlight can create harsh shadows, so try to take selfies in shaded areas or during golden hour for the most flattering effect. Natural light enhances your features and adds a professional touch to your photos.
Interesting Textures
Brick walls, colorful murals, and scenic landscapes can add depth and vibrancy to your selfie. Choosing a textured background makes your photo visually engaging without overwhelming the subject. Experiment with different textures to create unique and artistic selfies.
Avoid Clutter
A messy or overly busy background can be distracting and take attention away from you. Try to choose clean, simple backdrops or use portrait mode on your phone to blur unnecessary details. Keeping your background tidy ensures that your selfie looks polished and professional.
Include Landmarks
If you’re traveling, capturing well-known locations in the background adds a storytelling element to your selfie. Position yourself in a way that highlights both your face and the landmark without blocking important details. This approach makes your selfies more memorable and share-worthy.
Use Depth
Standing or sitting a few steps away from the background instead of leaning against it creates a sense of depth. This technique helps separate you from the background and adds a three-dimensional effect to your selfie. A professional photographer often uses depth to make images more dynamic, and you can achieve the same effect in your selfies.
Professional photographers know how to frame backgrounds perfectly, but being mindful of what’s behind you in a selfie can help you create more visually appealing shots.
Enhancing Your Selfie with Lighting and Composition
Lighting and composition play a significant role in achieving the perfect selfie. Paying attention to these elements will help you get the most flattering and artistic results. Proper lighting can make your skin glow, while good composition ensures that the image is balanced and visually appealing.
Professional photographers use these techniques to capture stunning portraits, and with a few simple adjustments, you can achieve the same effect in your selfies.
Golden Hour
The warm, soft lighting during sunrise and sunset creates a beautiful, glowing effect on your skin. Unlike harsh midday sun, golden hour light enhances your natural features and minimizes shadows.
Solo photoshoot by Antonio, Localgrapher in Cordoba
Face the Light
Whether you are using natural daylight or an artificial ring light, positioning yourself toward the light helps illuminate your face evenly. If the light is behind you, your selfie may appear too dark or backlit. Facing the light eliminates harsh shadows and ensures that your skin tone appears smooth and vibrant.
Solo photoshoot by Areej, Localgrapher in Baku
Rule of Thirds
This classic photography rule helps create a well-balanced image by placing the subject slightly off-center. Instead of positioning your face in the exact middle of the frame, try shifting it to one side while keeping your eyes aligned with the upper third of the image.
Solo photoshoot by Anna, Localgrapher in New York City
Avoid Overexposure
Bright lighting is great, but too much exposure can wash out details in your face and background. If you’re taking a selfie in direct sunlight, try adjusting your phone’s exposure settings or finding a shaded area for a softer look.
Solo photoshoot by Masha, Localgrapher in San Francisco
Backlighting
While most selfies work best with light in front of you, backlighting can create a dreamy and artistic effect. Taking a selfie with the sun behind you during golden hour or using a soft light indoors can add a warm glow to the edges of your hair and shoulders.
By practicing selfie techniques, you’ll gain confidence in front of the camera, making your professional photoshoot experience even smoother. Whether you want to capture memories of a special occasion, your vacation or elevate your personal brand, booking a professional photographer ensures that your best moments are preserved beautifully.
