2. Tap the timer option, then tap it again to select how long to delay the shot, 2, 5 or 10 seconds.
3. Tap the shutter or volume button, or, if you have a newer Android, the screen, to start the timer.
A selfie stick gives you extra reach to include your striking surroundings in the photo.
Erdark / Getty Images
4. Get yourself a selfie stick
This device was invented to make it easier and less awkward to take self-portraits. Be sure to buy a stick that connects to Bluetooth — prices range from $20 to $30. Simply connect it to your smartphone by going to Settings ⚙️and pair the stick.
Extend the selfie stick arm as far as it will go. Like your phone, a selfie stick comes with a shutter button, so you won’t have to use a timer unless you get a selfie stick without Bluetooth.
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5. Find good lighting
Soft, overcast light or shade is the best light for people-pleasing selfies. Shooting in bright, harsh sunlight can produce shadows on your face.
6. Bypass busyness
Tourist spots such as the Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon and the Hollywood sign are among the most popular places to shoot selfies. But in other locations, be careful with your backdrop.
Keep the focus on your face and avoid distractions in the background. The biggest offenders: trees that appear to be growing out of your head. A simple solution is to keep moving until the trees disappear from your shot.
7. Check out portrait modes
Newer model smartphones offer selfie portrait modes that automatically blur backgrounds to put you front and center in your shot. Open your camera and tap Portrait. Tap the little circle with arrowsor what looks like awheel to flip the front camera to Selfie mode. Look at your options and take a few shots to see what you like best.
Carrot the cat knows that angling his face toward the camera shows his best side.
Jim Cook / Getty Images
8. Angle your face slightly
For a more flattering look, extend your arm and shoot down while lifting your face at a slight upward angle. It helps elongate your neck and downplays any hint of a double chin. Positioning the phone below your face distorts the view and creates an unflattering image.
Bonus tip: Be careful
Nearly 400 people died from 2008 to 2021 while taking selfies in dangerous places worldwide, according to a study in the Journal of Travel Medicine. The study found that most selfie accidents, whether fatal or not, occur when people take self-portraits near cliffs, waterways or wild animals.
You can get an amazing one-of-a-kind shot with a selfie, but taking a risk to do so isn’t wise. Obey all warning signs and keep your feet planted firmly on the ground. Why imperil your life for a shot if you’re not around to share it?
Jefferson Graham is a contributing writer who covers personal technology and previously was a technology columnist for USA Today. He hosts the streaming travel photography series Photowalks on Amazon Prime, Tubi and YouTube, as well as the iPhone Photo Show podcast.
