Taking a selfie is an art. It’s more than just pressing a button on your phone and smiling at the camera. It can be intimidating to take a great selfie, but it’s actually quite easy if you keep some basic tips and tricks in mind. From using portrait mode and flash on your light-up phone case to knowing which angle of your face is your “good” side, we’ve got the scoop for you. Whether you’re looking to up your Instagram game or just trying to share more quality photos with grandma, here are eight great tips for taking better selfies on your phone.
1. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
No matter how dolled up you are, the photo won’t come out great unless you have the right amount of light. It’s all about the lighting. Stay away from harsh light sources such as bright white office lights. Don’t take a selfie directly in front of the sun. You need just the right amount of light from a soft light source so that your selfie won’t come out blurry. No Instagram filter can fix a blurry, low-quality picture.
2. Use Flash
You can use the flash option on your phone to add extra lighting to your selfie. Make sure that your iPhone 13 case or iPhone 12 case doesn’t cover any of the camera features. Since these phones feature both a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera, you want to make sure the flash elements aren’t blocked. You can find great options that accommodate these features and that are produced sustainably at Pela Case.
3. Use Portrait Mode on Your iPhone
You can get the DSLR effect without actually having a DSLR camera by just using portrait mode on your iPhone. This option will focus on you in the center while defocusing and blurring the background. You’ll have a professional look without having to mess around with a professional camera.
4. It’s All About the Angles
Try tilting your head to the left or right to achieve a flattering angle. Try tilting just your phone. Combine tilting both your head and your phone until you find the winning combination of the perfect angle and phone tilt. Most people aren’t very photogenic from a straight-on selfie angle. If you need further proof of that, check out your driver’s license or a passport photo.
5. Soften Your Eyes
Not everyone can master the sultry art of the Tyra Banks smize. Soften your eyes and look relaxed — or else your forehead will scrunch up together and you’ll look stressed or bothered instead of effortlessly aloof. If you’re still not sure how to soften your eyes in a way that looks best, or if you just want to play around with accessories, try wearing sustainable sunglasses in your selfie. These kinds of sunglasses are made using less waste and water usage than conventional sunglasses and packaging. They’ll keep your eyes protected with full UVA/UVB protection.
6. Smile Naturally
Don’t smile awkwardly in your photo. Smile as you naturally would. If you’re not in the mood to smile, it will show. It helps to think of something or someone that makes you laugh. Once you do, you’ll start smiling naturally. Sometimes, it means a small curve of your lips. Sometimes, it means a wide and toothy grin. However you want to smile, smile in a way that feels natural to you. That’s how you’ll have a winning selfie.
7. Think About the Background
Besides just thinking about how you’re going to pose, you’ll also want to think about the background. Where are you taking the selfie? Are you out in the wild and taking photos in front of a pretty landscape? Are you traveling in a city and taking a selfie in front of an Insta-worthy building? You can have an interesting background wherever you go, even if it means you’re taking a selfie in front of a well-stocked cereal aisle at the grocery store.
8. Have Confidence
Get ready for the most important tip of all. Have confidence when you’re taking your selfie. If you’re feeling awkward, the photo will look awkward. If you’re feeling confident, your confidence will absolutely shine in the photo. Before you take your selfie, make sure you’re feeling confident. That may mean standing in front of the mirror and saying powerful affirmations to yourself. They say, “Fake it until you make it,” but it’s all about saying it until you really believe it and become it.
If you’ve been trying to improve your selfies, you’re not alone. According to research from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 72 percent of surgeons have reported that their patients want a procedure that will make them look better in selfies. The good news for you is that you can save the money and effort and just use these tips instead to look even better in selfies without plastic surgery. Now that you know all of these handy tips, your selfie game will be ready to go to the next level.
