7 Tips and Tricks for Finding the Best Angle for a Selfie

Being your own photographer requires many hats: model, director, lighting expert, and occasional contortionist. Tied down or not, there is going to be a day you are called upon to do the impossible: take a selfie of yourself that you might actually like. 

There exists an age-old disconnect between what we see in the mirror and what appears on camera that has become all the more apparent in the modern age of front-facing cameras. Although you can try to avoid this conundrum for as long as possible, the day will come. 

This task may seem challenging, and maybe even unpleasant, but remember that the better you are at finding the best angle for a selfie, the more confident you'll feel about sharing your digital self with the world.

Why Your Best Angle Matters

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The right angle isn't just about vanity, but also about presenting yourself authentically while highlighting your best features. Finding a good angle for selfies can dramatically change how your facial features appear in photos.

Different angles dramatically change how your facial features appear in photos. A slight adjustment can make cheekbones pop, minimize a double chin, or make your eyes appear larger. 

The science backs this up. Studies show that a 30-degree angle can make faces appear more attractive by emphasizing facial asymmetry in a flattering way.

The Power of a Slight Tilt

More chins, more problems. A slight head tilt can transform an ordinary selfie into something magazine-worthy. 

Tilting your head about 15-20 degrees to either side creates dimension and prevents your face from looking flat and wide. This subtle move defines your jawline and adds that coveted model-esque vibe to achieve that best angle selfie.

Try this: Practice your tilt in the mirror before attempting it on camera. Find the sweet spot where your features look most defined without appearing unnatural.

Why a Higher Angle Works

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It might seem like a good idea to hold the camera at eye level, but this is quite possibly the worst idea since someone decided mullets should make a comeback.

The higher angle technique is the most universally flattering position and best angle to take a selfie. Holding your phone slightly above eye level (about 30 degrees) and angling it downward creates an instant face-lift effect by:

• Defining your jawline
• Minimizing double chins
• Making your eyes appear larger
• Creating the illusion of higher cheekbones

Just don't go too high or you'll end up with a bird's eye view of your forehead and nostrils.

The camera can definitely add 10 pounds, but the right angle can also erase them. This position minimizes double chins, defines cheekbones, and makes your eyes appear larger.

Finding Your Best Side and Angle

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Left vs. Right: Which Side Works Best for You?

Most people have an asymmetrical face, meaning one side photographs better than the other.

A quick test: Take a series of selfies from both your left and right sides. Compare them side by side. Notice which features you like better from each angle. Your "good side" typically has more upturned features and a more defined jawline. You can also ask trusted friends which side they prefer (not your mom—she loves all your angles).

According to a study published in the journal Experimental Brain Research, the left side of the face tends to show more emotion and is often perceived as more aesthetically pleasing. But this isn't universal.

How to Identify Your Best Side Based on Face Shape

• Oval faces: Almost any angle works, but slightly elevated front-facing shots highlight your balanced proportions 
• Round faces: Higher angles and slight side tilts create definition 
• Square faces: Three-quarter angles soften jawlines 
• Heart-shaped faces: Straight-on with a slight downward tilt balances wider foreheads 
• Long faces: Lower angles (just slightly, don't go full chin-city) can create balance 

Experimenting with Different Angles for Optimal Results

Experimenting with good camera angles for selfies requires quality, not quantity. "I took a million. One of them has to be good," seems like a logical statement, but it's both incorrect and exhausting. One unflattering picture is unfortunate, but 65 unflattering pictures left to haunt your camera roll is a tragedy.

Instead of machine-gunning your way through selfies, try these deliberate experiments with different selfie angles:

• The Classic Three-Quarter: Turn your face about 45 degrees away from the camera, then look back toward it.
• The Slight Chin Tuck: Lower your chin slightly while keeping your eyes on the camera to define your jawline.
• The Forehead Forward: Lean your forehead slightly toward the camera while keeping your chin down.
• The Profile Plus: Turn almost to profile, then look back at the camera for a mysterious, flattering angle.

Document which angles work best for you. Create a "cheat sheet" album of your most flattering selfies so you can replicate those angles in the future.

Body Position Matters Too

Even in face-focused selfies, your body position affects how your face appears in the final image. Finding that perfect angle for selfie success means standing straight with good posture, which automatically improves any self-portrait. Slouching creates neck folds and diminishes your jawline definition.

Try these body positioning tricks:

• Pull your shoulders back and down
• Elongate your neck slightly
• Create space between your arms and body if they're in the frame
• Turn your body slightly while keeping your face more toward the camera

This creates a slimming effect and more dynamic composition. It's why models rarely stand square to the camera.

The Role of Lighting in Enhancing Your Angle

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Natural vs. Artificial Light

Natural light is almost always more flattering than artificial light, but timing and positioning matter.

The golden hours (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) provide warm, diffused light that's universally flattering. Midday sun creates harsh shadows, so avoid it unless you're going for a dramatic look.

For artificial lighting:

• Ring lights provide even, flattering illumination
• Avoid overhead lighting that creates raccoon eyes
• Steer clear of fluorescent lights that cast a greenish tint

Technology is amazing, and nowadays most camera phones have the ability to focus a shot with just the touch of a finger. It only takes a second and makes a world of difference.

How Lighting Can Complement Your Chosen Angle

Light and angle work together like peanut butter and jelly—they're good separately but magic together.

Front lighting minimizes texture and imperfections but can flatten features. Best for clear skin days.

Side lighting creates dimension and drama by highlighting one side of the face while shadowing the other. Perfect for defining cheekbones.

Backlighting creates a dreamy halo effect but can leave your face in shadow. Use your phone's HDR mode or tap to expose your face properly.

For the most flattering combination and best angle to take selfie photos: 

• Position yourself at your best angle 
• Face toward a soft light source at about 45 degrees
• Hold the camera slightly above eye level 
• Adjust your position until shadows define rather than obscure your features

Choosing the Right Background

The background matters just as much as your face. 

A cluttered or distracting background pulls attention away from you, while a complementary one enhances your overall look.

The selfie joke is old. Pretending to take pictures of the background when you are really snapping selfies to clog your camera roll gets old fast. We all have that one friend who still thinks this is a hilarious prank, and it's time to cut this lame charade.

Instead, be intentional about your backdrop:

• Clean, minimal backgrounds (solid walls, sky, simple architecture) keep the focus on your face 
• Natural settings add interest without competition 
• Avoid busy patterns or text that draw the eye away from you 
• Consider color theory—backgrounds in complementary colors to your outfit or eyes can make them pop 

The distance between you and your background affects depth of field. Standing further from your background creates pleasing bokeh (background blur) that makes you stand out.

The Arm Extension Factor

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How far you hold your phone affects facial distortion significantly. This is why selfie sticks, despite making you look like a tourist, actually produce more flattering photos.

The closer the phone is to your face, the more distortion occurs. This is why your nose can look larger and your face wider in close-up selfies.

For the most natural-looking selfies:

• Hold your phone as far away as possible
• Use a timer and prop your phone up instead
• Consider a selfie stick (when appropriate)
• Use the back camera (it's usually higher quality) with a mirror to see yourself

The difference between a phone held at arm's length versus one held just a foot from your face is dramatic.

Avoid Common Angle Mistakes

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The Dreaded Chin Multiplier

The best camera angle for selfie success is never from below. It might seem like a good idea to hold your phone at waist level and tilt the camera up for that "dramatic" look, but this is quite possibly the worst idea since someone decided cargo shorts were acceptable formal wear.

The lower the position of your phone, the higher the chin count, which, although sometimes impressive, is never ideal for the 'gram. This angle creates that lovely double-chin effect even on people who don't normally have one. It's like magic, but the terrible kind that makes you question all your life choices.

The Extreme Bird's Eye

On the flip side, holding your phone so high that you're practically doing a shoulder press isn't the move either. While a slightly elevated angle is slimming, taking it to the extreme makes your head look disproportionately large compared to your body.

You'll end up looking like a bobblehead version of yourself with a forehead that seems to extend into another zip code. The extreme bird's eye also tends to make your eyes look smaller and can flatten your facial features in an unflattering way.

The Nostril Showcase

Nothing says "I'm a professional selfie-taker" quite like giving your followers an in-depth tour of your nasal passages. When you hold the camera too high, you're essentially inviting everyone to examine your nostrils in HD.

Unless you're specifically trying to show off your recent septum piercing or demonstrate the effectiveness of your nose hair trimmer, maybe reconsider this angle. Your followers will thank you for sparing them the spelunking expedition.

The Distortion Disaster

Pressing your face too close to the camera lens is a one-way ticket to Distortionville, population: your now-massive forehead and tiny chin. Phone cameras already have a slight wide-angle effect, and getting too close only amplifies this funhouse mirror nightmare.

Keep the phone at a reasonable distance from your face—about arm's length is the sweet spot. This prevents your features from warping into proportions that would make Picasso say "that's a bit much."

The Background Bomb

You might be looking fierce, but that pile of dirty laundry or open toilet in the background is stealing your thunder. Always check what's behind you before snapping that selfie.

Nothing ruins a perfectly angled face faster than realizing you've just shared your embarrassing collection of stuffed animals or the contents of your medicine cabinet with the entire internet. The world doesn't need to see your prescription cream collection.

The Awkward Hand Position

Where do hands go in a selfie? Not awkwardly hovering at the edge of the frame like some disembodied appendage, that's for sure. And definitely not creating that weird "claw" that happens when you're stretching to hit the button.

Either keep your hands out of the frame entirely or use them purposefully—touching your face, adjusting your hair, or making a deliberate gesture. The "I don't know what to do with my hands" look is never flattering.

Editing: Enhancing Without Overdoing It

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This one seems like a given, but every once in a while, the ~artist~ in you feels an intendedly helpful edit bubbling up. You need to lock it up and bury it deep down if it crosses into uncanny valley territory.

The Filter Fallacy

Filters can be fun, but when your skin looks smoother than a freshly waxed bowling lane, you've gone too far. There's nothing wrong with removing a temporary blemish, but when your friends can't recognize you in person because you've filtered yourself into oblivion, it's time to dial it back.

Remember that people see you in real life, and the disconnect between your online presence and reality can be jarring. Subtle enhancements work much better than dramatic transformations.

Lighting Corrections That Make Sense

Light editing enhances your best angle; heavy editing creates an unrecognizable version of yourself. Reddit threads are filled with horror stories of dates who didn't recognize their matches from heavily filtered profile pictures.

Stick to basic adjustments:

• Brightness and contrast
• Slight warmth adjustments
• Minor blemish removal
• Subtle sharpening

The Clarity Conundrum

Sharpening tools can help bring definition to a slightly blurry image, but overdo it and you'll highlight every pore, line, and texture in unflattering detail. Think of sharpening as salt—a little enhances the flavor, too much ruins the dish.

Instead of going heavy on sharpening, try slightly increasing contrast for a cleaner look that doesn't emphasize texture.

Color Correction Without Going Cartoon

Adjusting the warmth or coolness of a photo can help correct unflattering color casts from artificial lighting. But push the saturation too far, and suddenly you look like you belong in a Pixar film rather than on Instagram.

Natural skin tones vary widely, but they don't typically include neon undertones. Aim for subtle adjustments that make your complexion look healthy rather than radioactive.

The Subtle Body Edit Trap

We've all been tempted by those apps that let you slim, trim, and reshape with a swipe. But structural edits are the most obvious and often the most problematic type of photo manipulation.

When walls bend and backgrounds warp around your mysteriously tiny waist, it's not just noticeable—it's embarrassing. If you feel the need to dramatically alter your body shape in every photo, it might be time to work on loving yourself rather than perfecting your editing skills.

Keep Practicing to Find Your Perfect Selfie Angle

Quality, not quantity should be your mantra, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment. The path to selfie enlightenment is paved with hundreds of deleted photos and the occasional accidental front-flash in public.

Remember that finding your best angle isn't about hiding who you are—it's about showcasing the version of yourself that makes you feel most confident. Some days that might be a high angle with perfect lighting, and other days it might be a raw, unfiltered moment that captures something more authentic.

The more comfortable you get with your camera, the more natural your expressions will become. Practice doesn't make perfect—it makes progress. And progress is what turns awkward selfies into ones that actually make you smile when they pop up in your memories a year later.

So tilt that chin, find that light, and for the love of all things holy, clean your camera lens before you start. Mastering good photo angles for selfies takes practice, but your future self scrolling through photos will thank you.

And if all else fails, there's always the option to hand your phone to someone else—just make sure they've read a proper guide on how to photograph other humans first. Because we all know how that usually turns out.