How to Take The Perfect Selfie (Look Your Best Every Time)

Learn scientifically proven tips for taking perfect selfies that flatter your features, from lighting and angles to posing techniques that make you look your best.

Do you know how to take a good selfie? In today’s digital world, your selfie or profile picture often becomes your first impression before people even meet you in person.

Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, refreshing your dating app photos, or just want to look your best in social media posts, mastering the art of how to take a beautiful selfie can make all the difference.

The pictures you share send powerful cues about who you are. They should be:

True to Reality
Flattering
Authentic
Positive

That’s exactly what I’m going to teach you how to do in this post…and, as always, we’re going to do it using science!

Why Your Selfie Matters

Research has found that people develop their first impression of you within one second of seeing your photo! Here’s what’s crazy:

Different photos of you send different messages.

Princeton University researcher Dr. Alexander Todorov found that different images of the same person can create drastically different first impressions. The researchers took slightly different pictures of the same person and asked participants to rate them for various characteristics, such as intelligence, trustworthiness, and attractiveness. Each pose got different ratings.

So, the question is: What is your profile picture saying?

8 Tips on How to Take a Good Selfie

Perfect Lighting

The best lighting for taking a good selfie will always be natural lighting. Surprised? You do NOT need fancy lights! Yes, really!

What I mean by “natural lighting” is that it is coming from outside, and not from anything powered by a battery or electricity. No cords, no batteries, just light produced by the sun.

And you do NOT need to be outside. In fact, we will only be using inside lighting in these examples. It’s also completely okay to do this on a cloudy day; there will still be enough light coming in from a window to work with.

Look around and locate the best light in your space. It will be near a window.

You’ll want indirect, diffused, and flat light for your selfies:

Position yourself close to the light source, but not in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause you to squint and create harsh shadows.
Diffuse the light if needed. If you have light and sheer window coverings, you can draw them closed to diffuse the light. You could also use a white sheet or a shower curtain.
Look for “eye sparkles”. The closer you are to good lighting, the more you’ll see sparkles in your eyes. These sparkles make your eyes pop in photos!
Turn off artificial lights. This might seem counterintuitive, but artificial lights often cast yellow or orange hues that aren’t flattering.

One more important tip: Before you take photos, make sure to clean the lenses on your smartphone. Even a small smudge can make your selfie look blurry or hazy.

You do not need to do a fancy shoot or even hire a photographer. I partnered with my photographer Maggie Kirkland to film a tutorial for you:

Use the Correct Body Language and Cues

A killer selfie isn’t just about your smile—it’s about the vibe you give off. Your body language can make you look confident, approachable, or totally magnetic. Nail the right nonverbal cues, and your selfie will pop. At Science of People, we’ve got 97 cues you can choose from to level up your photo game and every interaction.

Try These Selfie-Friendly Cues:

Slight head tilt: Angles your face for a warm, friendly vibe.
Relaxed shoulders: Keeps you looking chill instead of stiff.
Turn your torso: A slight angle adds depth and avoids a flat look.
Soft “smize” gaze: Squint your eyes a bit for a cozy, inviting expression.
Hand on chin or hair: Adds a natural, dynamic touch to draw eyes to your face.
“Fronting” is a body language term that describes where your body is facing. If you are fronting with someone, you are aiming your torso, head, and toes towards that person. This is a nonverbal sign of respect. When you view someone straight on in a picture, you see them as more trustworthy, open-minded, and sympathetic
Take up space confidently. The more physical space someone takes up with their body, the more confident they appear. Strong body language is when the forehead and chest are pointed up and shoulders are rolled back.
Don’t place your arms at your sides. Fashion blogger Marianna Hewitt says that you should never place your arms at your sides in pictures. Doing so makes your shoulders and torso look wider. Instead, place your hand on your waist, by your hair, or hold your arms back.

Want the full list of 97 cues to slay your selfies and beyond? Read on:

Finding Your Best Angle

Where should the camera be when taking a selfie on iPhone or any smartphone? Should it be above you? Below you? Straight on?

Research (source) shows that your camera angle can greatly affect one’s perception of you—especially when it comes to trust.

When someone is viewed from above, they are seen as weaker and in need of protection. This makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Adults see children from above—and they typically need to be taken care of.

The opposite happens when you see someone from below. They tend to look more self-confident, more sociable, and more attractive. Why? As children, we admired adults. They took care of us and had everything figured out.

So what’s the best angle for most selfies? Most beauty experts recommend:

Hold your camera slightly above eye level for the most flattering angle that creates a slimming effect for your face.
Slightly extend your neck forward to avoid the dreaded “double chin” effect. This creates a more defined jawline.
Try the “pretend shelf” technique: Pretend to place your chin on a little shelf just in front of your face. Reach out your chin and place it on that shelf. This prevents your chin from moving backward when you smile.

Remember: when we smile and laugh naturally, our chins often go up and back. The backward motion is what causes extra chins, so by placing your chin on a little (invisible) shelf in front of you, you won’t be jetting your head back when you smile.

Smile or No Smile? Nail Your Selfie Vibe

To smile or not to smile—that’s the selfie dilemma! Your expression sets the tone, so choosing the right one is key to capturing the mood you want. A smile can make you seem warm and approachable, but a no-smile look can convey confidence or mystery. Here’s how to decide, with a dive into the science of smiling.

There are two types of smiles, and one’s way more authentic:

The Duchenne smile: This is the real deal, spreading from your mouth to the muscles around your eyes. It’s tied to genuine joy, creating little “crow’s feet” wrinkles and puffed-up cheek “apples.” This smile sparks a positive emotional loop, making you and your viewer feel good. It’s the kind of smile that’s contagious—perfect for selfies when you want to radiate warmth and connection.
The “Pan Am” smile: Named after flight attendants flashing quick grins to passengers, this smile is just the lower half of your face. It lacks eye involvement and often feels forced, missing that positive emotional punch. Avoid this in selfies—it can come off as stiff or insincere.

Can you tell which one is which?

When to Smile in Selfies: Go for a Duchenne smile when you want to project happiness, approachability, or share a joyful moment—like a sunny day out or a fun event. Practice in a mirror to get those eye crinkles just right. If you’re feeling playful, a slight smirk (a half-smile with a hint of eye engagement) can add a flirty, confident vibe without going full grin.
When to Skip the Smile: No smile works best for a bold, serious, or artistic selfie. Think fashion-forward shots, moody aesthetics, or professional vibes. Relax your mouth, slightly raise your eyebrows, and soften your gaze to keep it approachable yet cool. This look screams confidence and intrigue but won’t feel as warm as a smile.

To create a great natural smile, try:

Playing your favorite music
Doing a few small dance moves to get some joy flowing
Thinking of someone you love or someone who always makes you laugh
Thinking of a pet or your favorite celebrity crush

Pro Tip: The moments right after a totally silly, laughing, dancing outburst tend to make the most relaxed genuine smiles. Go too far, and then take photos on your way back to being “normal.”

I sat down with Diane Cleverly, one of our Certified Body Language Trainers and founder of Concierge Conversations. Diane embarked on a fascinating study looking at selfies and smiles:

Diane found (source) that while the same small number of both men and women displayed Duchenne or authentic smiles (roughly 1 in 5), significantly more women favored using a Pan Am smile over a neutral expression compared to men (34% to 17%). That means that one-third of the women chose to use a smile not associated with positive emotion, but rather with politeness!

Microexpressions to Avoid

A microexpression is a brief involuntary facial expression that happens when someone feels an intense emotion. There are 7 universal facial expressions that people make across cultures. Here is a grid of the microexpressions that have been discovered (you can also see our full-face tutorial):

Be aware of these potential facial expressions that can ruin your selfie:

Fake Happiness: When your smile doesn’t reach your eyes (no crow’s feet)
Contempt: A one-sided mouth raise or smirk is the universal sign for disdain or hatred

Fear: Raising your eyebrows and eyelids too wide makes you look anxious or low in confidence
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Composition and Framing

Rule of Thirds

This is an essential photography technique. Applied to a person or object, it instantly improves the composition and balance of the image. Take your selfie with your eyes situated 1/3 down from the top and off to one side of the frame.

Background Considerations

Clean up the space and anything that might be in the background. If there are toys on the ground, pillows that need to be put back into place, or a stack of mail on the counter, make sure all of it is cleaned up or removed when possible.
Depth of Field: This is the amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in sharp focus. Focus on your face, not the environment, to create a pleasing blur in the background.

Mirror Selfies

How to take a mirror selfie requires some special considerations:
- Clean the mirror thoroughly
- Position yourself at a slight angle to the mirror rather than straight on
- Hold your phone slightly off to the side so it doesn’t block your face
- Try different poses while watching yourself in the mirror
- Consider using your phone’s timer rather than showing the phone in the mirror

Special Techniques for Looking Your Best

How to Look Skinny in Pictures

Stick Your Chin Out: Want to avoid the double chin? An easy trick is to slightly jut your chin out to give your jaw a more defined look.
Avoid Patterns: Style expert Charla Krupp suggests avoiding bold patterns since they draw attention to unflattering curves. Instead, try single-colored outfits because they create clean lines that elongate your body and make you look slimmer.
Pose at an Angle: You look your widest when you are standing straight forward. When taking pictures, put one foot in front of the other and stand at an angle so your entire body isn’t seen.
Avoid Bulky Clothing: While you might think tight-fitting clothes highlight unwanted curves, the opposite is actually true. Michelle Scanga warns people to avoid wearing bulky clothing because it makes you look heavier than you actually are. Instead, try clothes that are light and fitted to make your figure look as small as possible.

How to Look Taller in Pictures

Angle the Camera From Below: At a petite 5’3, fashion blogger Kat Collings knows a thing or two about how to look taller in pictures. She found that pictures taken from below make you look the tallest. Since the camera is angled up, it elongates your figure and gives the illusion of more height.
Wear a Single Color: According to fashion journalist Taniya Talukdar, wearing a single color—or close to it— gives your figure long, clean lines that lengthen your body. The effect is even more powerful when you wear darker colors that transform your image from small and youthful to tall and sophisticated.

Take Walking Photos: Beauty blogger Chriselle Lim recommends taking pictures when you’re in the middle of a stride to make your legs look longer and leaner. Next time you take a solo photo, take the biggest step forward with one of your feet as you can without looking unnatural.
Stand Straight: On her blog, Style Lullaby, the model Sharon Wu stresses the importance of good posture to make yourself look taller in pictures. Standing straight with your head up and shoulders back ensures you’re at your maximum height.

How to Look Younger in Pictures

Wear Bright Colors: Color psychologists have discovered that we naturally judge people based on the colors they wear. Bright, high-energy colors like yellow and orange are symbolic of youth and can take years off of your appearance.
Show Your Smile: A study (source) published in the Journal of Psychology and Aging asked people to guess the ages of middle-aged and older models. Survey participants thought that the models who wore big, carefree smiles were younger than they actually were.
Smoothen Your Skin: Everyone knows, smoother skin = younger looking skin. Francesca Fusco, a New York City dermatologist says that you can quickly smoothen your skin before pictures by splashing cold water on your face. The cold water restricts blood vessels giving your skin a more youthful, toned look.

How to Look Older in Pictures

Don’t Wear Overly Casual Clothing: Gretta Monahan, CEO of GrettaStyle says that if you want to look older you should avoid wearing super casual and/or trendy clothing. When you know you’re going to be taking pictures opt for more professional attire or throw on a nice jacket to make you look more mature.
Pose Professionally: To look older in pictures, you need to avoid childish poses and present yourself as if you are having your picture taken for work. Use techniques like fronting (facing the camera full on), standing/sitting straight, and minimizing movement.
Wear Fitted Clothing: According to Nylon Magazine, wearing poorly fitted outfits makes you look immature, kind of like you’re playing dress up with your parents’ clothes.
Wear Darker, More Neutral Colors: Color psychologists have discovered that we automatically associate different colors with personal characteristics. Wear these colors when you take pictures for a mature, professional look:
1. Black: Conveys power and professionalism
2. Blue: Shows loyalty, stability, and tranquility
3. Brown: Conveys stability and reliability

How to Take a Selfie with Glasses

If you wear glasses, here are special selfie tips for you:

Avoid glare by tilting your head down and away from the light or by using backlighting.
Clean your glasses thoroughly before taking the photo.
Consider taking the photo from a slightly higher angle to minimize how much the glasses frame dominates the image.

Editing and Filters

You can use apps to take photos with filters already applied, or you can also use apps to edit photos after you’ve taken them.

Popular apps include:

The key rule: Never use any filter at its full power because it looks really plastic and fake, but using them in smaller amounts can keep you looking like yourself, with a few things smoothed and brightened up just enough.

When editing your selfies, focus on:

Subtle skin smoothing
Brightening eyes
Adjusting exposure for better lighting
Minor color corrections

Simple Home Photo Shoot Setup

Think you need an expensive setup for a perfect home photo shoot? Think again! You can absolutely get a great new headshot in a home photo shoot with just your smartphone!

Here’s all you need:

Daytime when there is natural light coming in from outside
A smartphone with a camera
Bonus: A smartphone tripod on self-timer mode if you’re taking your own photos

To set up your home photo shoot:

Find the best natural lighting near a window
Prepare your space by cleaning up anything distracting in the background
Prepare yourself by wearing something that fits you well and doesn’t have bold patterns or harsh colors
Take multiple photos from slightly different angles and with different expressions
Review and select the best photos for editing

Testing Your Photos

If you need a dating profile picture, business headshot, or website photo that a lot of important people are going to see, be sure to get feedback on it.

Or use PhotoFeeler. PhotoFeeler is a free profile photo testing tool that helps people choose better profile photos by cluing them into what their photos really are saying.

How it works:

Upload your photo
Vote on other people’s photos (or buy vote credits)
Wait for the results

This is super helpful if you’re trying to decide which photo is best—and in which situation.

We gave this tool a little spin ourselves. Here’s the three photos of me and how they ranked:

Why We Don’t Like Our Own Photos

An interesting study (source) found that the pictures we choose to represent ourselves aren’t accurate depictions of what we look like. In fact, strangers are better at choosing pictures that “look like us” than we are.

Dr. David White conducted a study where participants downloaded 10 pictures of themselves from their Facebook page and ranked them from most to worst “likeness.” Then he had a group of strangers try matching up the pictures to a short webcam video of each person.

The strangers ended up picking a different set of “good likeness” pictures for each participant than the participants chose themselves—with seven percent more accurate identification.

This happens for several reasons:

Mirror Familiarity: We’re used to seeing ourselves in mirrors, which shows a flipped version of our face compared to photos.
Positivity Bias: Most people see themselves as more attractive (source) than they actually are.
Different Standards: What we think makes us look attractive can vary from what others think.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Selfies

What’s the best angle for selfies?

The most flattering angle for most selfies is slightly above eye level, angling down toward your face. This creates a slimming effect and helps define the jawline. For a more confident or authoritative look, try a slightly lower angle looking up, as research shows this conveys strength and confidence.

How can I look slimmer in selfies?

Stand at a slight angle rather than directly facing the camera. Extend your chin slightly forward and down to define your jawline. Wear solid, darker colors for a slimming effect. Position the camera slightly above eye level. Place one hand on your hip to create space between your arm and torso, preventing your arms from appearing wider.

Why do I look different in selfies vs. mirror?

Mirrors show a horizontally flipped version of yourself that you’re most familiar with, while cameras show the unflipped version others see. This unfamiliarity can make your selfies look strange due to the mere-exposure effect. Additionally, smartphone cameras use wide-angle lenses that can distort facial features when held at close range.

What lighting makes the best selfies?

Natural, diffused daylight creates the best selfies. Position yourself near a window for soft, indirect sunlight that illuminates your face evenly without harsh shadows. Morning or late afternoon light is ideal. Avoid direct overhead lighting and front-facing flash, which create unflattering shadows and flatten features.

How do men take good selfies?

Men should focus on angles that emphasize strong jawlines—slightly below eye level often works well. Neutral expressions typically photograph better than wide smiles for men. Keep grooming intentional and choose well-fitted clothing with structure. For professional photos, a serious expression conveys confidence, while a slight head tilt adds approachability to dating profiles.

How can I look younger or older in photos?

For a younger look, wear bright colors, show a genuine smile, use soft lighting, and apply cold water to your face before photos to temporarily tighten skin. To look older, wear fitted clothing in darker, neutral colors, pose with formal body language, maintain perfect posture, and use more subdued expressions. Camera angle matters too—higher angles for younger, lower angles for older.

How can I look taller in full-body selfies?

Position your camera slightly below eye level angling upward to elongate your figure. Wear monochromatic outfits to create an unbroken vertical line. Take photos mid-stride to make legs appear longer. Maintain excellent posture and choose fitted rather than loose clothing. For mirror selfies, ensure the mirror captures your full height without mid-body cropping.

What are the best home photo shoot setups?

Position yourself near a window with indirect natural light during daytime. Ensure your background is clean and neutral. For professional headshots, use a plain wall with some depth behind you. Use a smartphone on a tripod with self-timer or remote to avoid arm-extended selfies. Clean your phone lens before shooting and take multiple photos to ensure you capture your best angle.

The Perfect Selfie Takeaway

Taking the perfect selfie comes down to understanding a few key principles that make anyone look their best:

Lighting makes or breaks your selfie: natural, diffused light from windows is your best friend
Camera angle affects perception: slightly above eye level is flattering for most people
Authentic expressions photograph better than forced ones: aim for genuine smiles that reach your eyes
Body positioning communicates confidence: open posture and good alignment make everyone look better
Simple editing enhances without looking fake:subtle adjustments are always better than heavy filtering

Whether you’re taking a beautiful selfie for social media, updating your professional headshot, or capturing memories with loved ones, these techniques will help you look your best in every photo.

Looking to get your profile bio on par with your new perfect selfie? Check out our article on How to Write a Profile Like a Pro (And Get Noticed!).