🤳 How To Take A Good Selfie For Guys
I used to be the guy who avoided every camera at the party because I thought I was just “unphotogenic.”
After spending years working in digital media and testing thousands of shots, I realized that looking good in a selfie is a mechanical skill, not a genetic gift.
This guide will teach you the exact techniques I use to look sharp, confident, and natural every time I point the lens at myself.
Quick Overview
Taking a high-quality selfie is about understanding how light interacts with your face and how to position your body to highlight your best features.
- Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner
- What you’ll need: A smartphone, natural light, and a clean mirror (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Locate Your Best Light Source
The most important factor in any photo is lighting, as it determines how your facial structure is defined.
Face a window during the daytime to get soft, even light that fills in wrinkles and hides skin imperfections.
Avoid overhead lights because they create dark shadows under your eyes, making you look tired or older than you are.
Use the “Golden Hour” by taking photos outside during the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset for a warm, masculine glow.
Pro Tip: If you are indoors at night, stand near a lamp with a warm bulb rather than using the harsh, white ceiling light.
Step 2: Clean Your Camera Lens
Most guys forget that their phone lives in their pocket or on a table, gathering grease and dust all day.
Wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth or even the edge of a clean cotton t-shirt before you start shooting.
Check for smudges that create a “hazy” or “dreamy” look, which usually just makes the photo look low-quality and blurry.
Ensure clarity so the camera can properly focus on your eyes, which are the most important part of the selfie.
Step 3: Master the “Turtle” Neck Technique
A common issue in selfies is the appearance of a double chin, even if you are in great shape.
Push your chin out toward the camera and slightly down to create a sharp, defined jawline.
Avoid pulling back into your neck, which compresses the skin and hides your bone structure.
Practice in a mirror first to see how moving your head just an inch forward can dramatically change your silhouette.
Pro Tip: Imagine you are trying to touch the camera lens with the tip of your nose to get the extension right.
Step 4: Find Your Strongest Angle
Most people have one side of their face that is more symmetrical or defined than the other.
Turn your head slightly to the left or right rather than facing the camera head-on like a mugshot.
Hold the phone slightly above eye level and tilt it down toward you to make your shoulders look broader and your waist look slimmer.
Experiment with height by moving the phone up and down until you find the spot where your brow looks prominent and your eyes look bright.
Step 5: Perfect the “Squinch”
Wide-eyed stares often look “scared” or “surprised” in photos, which can come across as awkward.
Narrow your eyes slightly by lifting your lower eyelids, a technique professional models call “squinching.”
Maintain confidence by keeping your brow relaxed while you tighten the muscles around your eyes.
Focus your gaze just above the camera lens rather than looking directly into it to give the photo a more natural feel.
Step 6: Control Your Expression
You don’t need a massive grin to look approachable; often, a subtle expression works better for guys.
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to tighten the muscles under your chin and refine your jaw.
Try a “smirk” by slightly lifting one corner of your mouth if a full smile feels forced or unnatural.
Exhale slowly through your mouth right before you take the shot to relax your facial muscles and look more at ease.
Pro Tip: Think of something genuinely funny right before you click the shutter to ensure your expression reaches your eyes.
Step 7: Choose a Meaningful Background
A messy bedroom or a dirty bathroom mirror will instantly ruin even the best-looking selfie.
Look for depth by standing somewhere with a background that is several feet behind you, which helps the camera focus on your face.
Keep it simple by using a plain wall, a brick texture, or a natural outdoor setting that doesn’t distract from you.
Check for “growth” by making sure there aren’t any plants, poles, or signs appearing to grow out of the top of your head.
Step 8: Use the Rear Camera and Timer
The front-facing “selfie” camera is usually much lower quality than the main camera on the back of your phone.
Set a timer for three or ten seconds so you can hold the phone steadily with both hands or prop it up.
Use a mirror to help you aim the rear camera if you aren’t sure where the frame is, or just take several shots to be safe.
Avoid the flash whenever possible, as it flattens your features and can cause “red-eye” or unwanted reflections on your skin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The Up-Nose Angle
Holding the phone too low is one of the most frequent errors guys make when taking selfies.
This angle highlights the nostrils and hides the jawline, creating a perspective that is rarely flattering for anyone.
Always keep the camera at eye level or slightly above to ensure the focus remains on your eyes and facial structure.
The “Death Stare” Into the Screen
Many guys look at their own image on the screen while taking the photo instead of looking at the camera lens.
This creates a disconnected look where your eyes appear to be looking slightly away from the viewer.
Train yourself to find the tiny black dot of the lens and focus your attention there to create a sense of eye contact.
Over-Editing and Heavy Filters
It is tempting to use aggressive filters to hide skin texture or change the colors of the photo.
For guys, over-editing often results in a “plastic” look that is very obvious and can come across as insecure.
Stick to minor adjustments in brightness, contrast, and sharpness to keep the photo looking authentic and rugged.
Troubleshooting
The Photo Looks Grainy or Pixelated
Graininess is almost always caused by a lack of light, which forces the camera to digitalize the image to compensate.
Move closer to a window or step outside to give the camera sensor enough information to produce a crisp image.
If you are in a dark environment, use a steady surface to prop up your phone so the shutter can stay open longer without blurring.
My Face Looks Too Long or Distorted
Smartphone lenses are wide-angle, which means they can distort objects that are too close to the glass.
Hold the phone further away from your face and use the “2x” zoom setting if your phone has a telephoto lens.
This flattens the image and provides a much more realistic representation of your actual facial proportions.
I Look Stiff and Uncomfortable
If you feel awkward, it will show in your shoulders and your neck, making the photo look forced.
Take a few “throwaway” shots where you make a ridiculous face or move around to break the tension.
Once you feel your muscles relax, go back to your planned pose and you will notice a significant difference in the vibe.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize natural light by facing windows or shooting during the golden hour for the best skin tones.
- Clean your lens every single time to ensure your photos are sharp and professional.
- Extend your neck and tilt your chin down to maximize jawline definition.
- Use the squinch technique to avoid a “deer in headlights” look and project confidence.
- Select clean backgrounds that provide depth without distracting from your face.
- Keep editing minimal to maintain a natural and authentic appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I smile with teeth or keep my mouth closed?
This depends entirely on your personality and the “vibe” of the photo you want to achieve.
A closed-mouth smile or a slight smirk often looks more “cool” or mysterious, while a toothy smile looks more friendly and approachable.
Try both in a single session and see which one feels more like the “real” you when you look back at the gallery.
Is it okay for guys to take mirror selfies?
Mirror selfies are perfectly fine as long as the mirror is clean and the environment isn’t a messy bathroom.
Try taking them in a full-length mirror while showing off a specific outfit to give the photo a clear purpose.
Avoid looking at the phone in the mirror; instead, look at the reflection of the camera lens to maintain a better eye line.
How do I take a good selfie if I wear glasses?
The biggest challenge with glasses is the glare from light sources reflecting off the lenses.
Tilt your head slightly or adjust the angle of the light until the reflection disappears from your eyes.
Make sure your glasses are pushed up properly on the bridge of your nose so they don’t cut off your eyes in the frame.
What is the best way to hold the phone?
Use your thumb to click the volume button on the side of the phone to take the photo rather than reaching for the screen button.
This allows you to keep a firmer grip on the device and reduces the chance of camera shake blurring the image.
Alternatively, use a pop-socket or a ring grip to give your hand more stability when reaching for high angles.
Our Top Recommended Finds
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths: These are essential for removing pocket oils from your lens without scratching the glass.
- Small Flexible Tripod: A GorillaPod-style tripod allows you to mount your phone anywhere for better angles and more natural poses.
- Portable LED Clip Light: If you often take photos in dark environments, a small clip-on light can mimic natural window light.
Level Up Your Photo Game
Now that you have the fundamentals of lighting, angles, and posture, the best thing you can do is practice.
Take ten photos today using these different techniques and compare them to see which angles work best for your specific face shape.
Once you find a “signature” pose that feels comfortable, you will never feel nervous when someone pulls out a camera again.
Consider looking into basic color grading or mobile photography apps to further refine your style and create a consistent look for your social profiles.
