Light
- Face a window: soft daylight is the most flattering light there is.
- Avoid overhead lights (they create eye shadows) and direct midday sun.
- Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) gives warm, soft light outdoors.
Lens and distance
- Use the back camera with a timer or mirror if you can: it’s sharper.
- Hold the phone further away and zoom slightly: arm’s-length wide angles stretch noses and foreheads.
- Keep the camera at or slightly above eye level.
Angles and expression
- Turn your face slightly: find your better side.
- Chin forward and a touch down.
- Relax your eyes; smile with them (“squinch”).
Background and finish
- Choose a clean background.
- Wipe the lens: smudges cause haze.
- Edit lightly: exposure and warmth, not face-reshaping filters.
Put your best selfie to the test: upload it, but for agencies, use proper digitals.
