Flattering Selfies, Naturally — Why They Look Awkward, Plus Angle and Light

Selfies are easy, but they easily feel “somehow awkward” or “my face looks big.” Most of the cause is angle, light and face position. Just changing how you hold the phone changes the impression a lot.

Hold it above eye level

Holding the phone below your face, looking up, makes the under-chin loom and the expression stiff. Hold the camera a little above eye level for a slightly downward angle, making the eyes look bigger and more natural.

Light your face

With your back to a window, backlight darkens your face. Facing the window or a light wraps light onto your face, rendering it bright and soft. When it’s dark, tap your face and swipe up to sort out the brightness (→ Fixing backlit photos / Exposure compensation basics).

Pull back a little to leave space

Filling the frame with just your face feels intense and cramped. Pull back a little and leave background or space on one side for openness. A center composition that emphasizes the subject suits some scenes too (→ Center composition / Negative space).

Composition guideCenter compositionSee the full guide for this composition → Composition guideNegative spaceSee the full guide for this composition →

Composition tips

Placing your face slightly high in the frame with space below steadies it. Choosing a background with character — a stylish wall, nature — raises the whole photo’s impression. For a social icon, a bright frame where the face reads clearly suits well (→ Photographing social media icons).

BeforeAfter

Start with just this

Hold the camera a little above eye level, face the light, and turn your face slightly. Leave space in the background. These three cut down a lot of selfie “awkwardness.”