How to Take Good Selfies: Light, Angles and Settings (2026)

Most people I talk to hate photos of themselves, and selfies are where that feeling runs strongest. Yet a decent picture of your face does a lot of work, especially if you run a business: it's on your LinkedIn profile, your Instagram, your website and the little circle next to every email. The good news is that a good selfie is mostly about light, angle and patience, not about having the newest phone. I've pulled the camera steps here from Apple's and Google's own support pages, so the settings match what's on your phone, and added the practical habits that make the biggest difference.

Light is the first selfie fix

Bad light ruins more selfies than anything else. Before you change a single setting, move yourself.

• Face a window during the day. Soft daylight on your face is flattering and evens out skin.
• Avoid having a bright window or lamp behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.
• Skip harsh overhead lights that cast shadows under your eyes and nose.
• On a grey day, step closer to the window rather than reaching for the flash.
• If the sun's strong, a thin curtain softens it.

On a Pixel, Google's support page mentions Selfie illumination for brightening the front camera shot; on an iPhone, Apple's camera tools page shows how to adjust and lock exposure if the picture looks too dark or too bright.

Finding your selfie angle and framing

• Hold the phone at eye level or slightly above, not below your chin.
• Turn your body a little to one side and face the camera with your head, rather than standing square on.
• Leave some space above your head; cropping the top of your hair looks rushed.
• Extend your arm fully, or better, use a timer, so the lens isn't too close to your face.
• Relax your shoulders and breathe out just before you take the shot.

Apple's camera settings include a grid and a level (Settings, then Camera, then Grid and Level), which help you keep the horizon straight and your eyes near the top third of the frame.

Front camera or back camera for photos of yourself

The front camera is convenient because you can see yourself. The back camera usually gives a sharper picture, but you can't see the screen. My rule of thumb: front camera for quick social posts, back camera on a timer for anything you'll use for a long time, like a profile photo.

Taking a selfie on iPhone, per Apple's support page:

1. Open Camera and tap the button to switch to the front-facing camera.
2. Choose Photo mode or Portrait mode.
3. Optionally tap to widen the field of view, or rotate the frame sideways on supported models.
4. Tap the Shutter button, press either volume button, or click the Camera Control.

Apple also explains that if you want the selfie saved as you saw it on screen, rather than reversed, you go to Settings, then Camera, and turn on Mirror Front Camera. On Pixel phones, Google's equivalent setting is called Save selfie as previewed.

Taking a selfie on a Pixel, per Google's Pixel Camera Help: open Camera, tap the Switch camera icon, then tap the shutter. You can also flip to the front camera by twisting the phone twice, if Flip camera for selfie is switched on under Settings, System, Gestures.

Use a timer to take good photos of yourself hands-free

A timer is the easiest way to get a natural photo of yourself, because you can put the phone down, step back and stand comfortably.

1. Prop your phone on a shelf, a stack of books or a small tripod at eye level.
2. On iPhone, tap the camera controls button or swipe up from the camera modes, tap Timer, then choose 3, 5 or 10 seconds. On a Pixel, tap Settings at the top of the Camera app and choose 3 or 10 seconds.
3. Tap the shutter and get into position.
4. Take several shots, because the first is rarely the best.

Pixel owners have two more hands-free options, according to Google. On Pixel 6 and later, with the timer on, you can raise your palm towards the camera to start the countdown; your face and palm both need to be fully visible. With Google Assistant set up, you can also say "Hey Google, take a picture" and the phone takes it after a short delay.

Portrait mode, backgrounds and selfie details

Portrait mode blurs the background so you stand out, which suits profile photos. Both Apple and Google let you use it with the front camera. Even with blur, the background matters:

• Choose a tidy, simple background; a plain wall or a bookshelf works well.
• Check nothing appears to grow out of your head, like a plant or a door frame.
• Clean the lens with a soft cloth; a smudge from your pocket softens the whole picture.
• Look at the lens, not your own face on the screen, so you appear to make eye contact.

Editing selfies lightly

A small edit helps; a heavy one makes you look unlike yourself, which is a problem when people meet you in person or on a video call. Crop, straighten, nudge the brightness and stop there. Google's Pixel Camera has a Face retouching option with subtle and smooth settings, and many editing apps offer similar sliders. Keep them low.

If you'd like to try more, my guides to AI photo editors and editing photos with AI on your phone cover the options, and the selfie editing prompts guide shows how to ask AI tools for natural results.

Selfies for business owners on LinkedIn and Instagram

Your face builds trust faster than a logo, so it's worth getting a few good shots in the bank.

• LinkedIn: head and shoulders, face filling most of the frame, eyes level, plain background and the clothes you'd wear to meet a client.
• Instagram: a little more personality is fine, such as your workspace, your product or a place that says something about what you do.
• Use the same profile photo across platforms so people recognise you.
• Update it when you change your look; an old photo makes the first meeting awkward.
• Take a batch in one sitting, in good light, and keep the best few for posts, talks and press.

If you'd rather have a polished headshot without booking a photographer, my guide on free AI headshots explains what's possible and where it falls short.

When your selfies still don't look right

• Face looks distorted: the phone's too close. Move it further away or use the back camera on a timer.
• Picture's blurry: clean the lens, hold still or prop the phone up.
• Image is reversed: turn on Mirror Front Camera on iPhone, or Save selfie as previewed on Pixel.
• Too dark: face a window or adjust exposure before you shoot.
• Looks stiff: take lots of shots, talk or laugh between them, and pick the most relaxed one.

Do you make a selfie or photo editing app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take a good selfie?

Face soft daylight, hold the phone at eye level or slightly above, turn your body a little, look at the lens and take several shots. A timer often gives a more natural result.

How do I take good photos of myself without help?

Prop your phone at eye level, set the camera timer, step back into the frame and take a batch of shots. The back camera on a timer usually gives the sharpest result.

Why do my selfies look flipped?

The front camera shows a mirror image while you frame the shot. On iPhone, turn on Mirror Front Camera in Camera settings; on Pixel, turn on Save selfie as previewed.

Is portrait mode good for selfies?

Yes. It blurs the background so your face stands out, which suits profile photos. Keep the background tidy so nothing distracting shows through the blur.

What makes a good LinkedIn profile photo?

Head and shoulders, good light, a plain background, eye contact with the lens and the clothes you'd wear to meet a client. Use the same photo across your profiles.