How to Take a Mirror Selfie

Co-authored by Annie Tao

Last Updated: March 31, 2021 References

Mirror selfies are a great way to capture an awesome outfit or good hair day, especially if you have no one to take your picture for you. To master the mirror selfie, start with an organized space, the right size mirror, and good lighting. Then, choose a flattering pose and decide what kind of selfie you want, like one without your phone showing, for instance. Now get ready for your personal photo shoot!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting the Scene

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Find a mirror that’s the right size, like a full-length one for a full body selfie. Pick a mirror that’s big enough to fit as much of you in the shot as you want. For instance, a small wall mirror works if you just want a selfie of your face, whereas you need a taller mirror if you want a picture of your whole body.
- Keep in mind that you can crop your selfies, too. If you just want your face in the picture, but you only have a giant wall mirror, crop the rest of your body out of the photo after you take it.
2
Clean up the room that’s visible in the mirror if possible. If you’re taking your selfie in your bedroom or your own house, make sure the space that will be showing in the picture is organized and clean. For example, put away any dirty clothes on the floor, make your bed, and check that anything potentially embarrassing, like your life-sized celebrity crush poster, is hidden.^{[1]
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Tip: Don’t forget to clean your mirror, too! Wipe it down with a cloth and glass cleaner to get rid of any smudges or spots.

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3
Find a spot that has good natural lighting or that is well-lit. Natural lighting is the most flattering for pictures. To take advantage of this, open the blinds or curtains on windows to allow more light in and try to take your picture during the day when it’s sunny outside. If it’s nighttime, recreate natural lighting by turning on soft, warm lamps instead of bright overhead lights.^{[2]
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- Avoid fluorescent or harsh white lights which dull your skin.
- Make sure that the light isn’t directly at your back. Otherwise, you’ll just be a silhouette. Adjust the light if possible so that it hits you in the front.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Perfecting Your Pose

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Look at the camera instead of the mirror to avoid looking cheesy. Rather than looking at yourself in the mirror when you take your selfie, keep your eyes on the screen of your phone. Not only does this help you make sure you’re getting a good shot, it also prevents you from looking awkward or forced.^{[4]
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- Don’t put on a huge smile, either. Instead, try a slight smirk or pout for a cooler vibe.
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Place one leg out in front of you or cross your legs to look thinner. To get into one of these leg-lengthening poses, imagine that you’re taking a baby step forward. Step slightly forward out to one side or cross one foot in front of the other.^{[5]
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- You can also point the toe of your foot that’s out in front. This will make your legs appear even leaner.
- Don't step out too far in front or too far out to the side or you'll look unnatural.
3
Stand facing forward with your legs slightly apart to show off your outfit. To highlight what you’re wearing, place your feet about hip-width apart and square your shoulders so you’re directly facing the mirror. Stand up straight with your shoulders back so you don’t look slouched over in the picture.^{[6]
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- You can do whatever you want with your arms. Let them hang naturally at your side or place one hand on your hip for a sassier pose, for instance.
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Try a variation like sitting in front of the mirror for a unique selfie. Mix up your mirror pictures by getting creative. For example, sit cross-legged on the floor in front of the mirror or put a foot up on the counter if you're taking your selfie in the bathroom mirror.
- If you're in the bathroom, you can also try sitting on the counter for a playful picture.
Tip: For inspiration for more unique shots, browse the #mirrorselfie hashtag on Instagram to see what other people are doing.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking the Picture

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Hold your phone by your face at a slight downward angle to look leaner. Make sure your phone is no lower than chin height. Then, create the illusion of length and height by tilting it slightly downward so you appear taller.^{[7]
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- The higher you hold your phone, the longer and slimmer you’ll look.
- Play around with different angles and heights to determine what works best for your selfie.
2
Hold your phone out to the side and angle it in if you don’t want it in the shot. To snap a selfie without actually having your phone in the picture, stretch your arm out to the side and angle the phone in sharply towards your body. Check your screen to make sure the angle is correct and the phone is out of the view of the mirror before taking your picture.
- You can always crop the phone out of your picture afterwards.
- If you don’t want to outstretch your arm as far, stand more to the edge of the mirror. This makes it easier to angle the phone so it’s out of sight.
3
Place your phone in front of your face or tilted down if you want to hide your face. If you don't want your face showing, hold your phone directly in front of it so that everything but your hair is covered. To take a headless selfie, place your phone under your chin and angle it downwards until you can’t see your head in the shot.^{[8]
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- Opt for a headless selfie to make your outfit the center of attention.
- Hide your face in a selfie if you don’t want to worry about what your facial expression looks like.
4
Stand against the mirror and use the front camera for a cool double shot. Lean against the mirror and switch your phone to the front-facing camera, which is the one you use to take a regular selfie. Hold the phone out in front of you so that the shot captures both you and your reflection for an artsy effect.^{[9]
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Did you know?

You can get a similar effect by positioning 2 mirrors so that you’re standing between them. You’ll be reflected in the mirror behind you when you take your selfie.
5
Take a lot of pictures in a variety of poses and angles. Don't just take 1 or 2 selfies and assume you've gotten a good one. Snap multiple photos in all different poses or while holding your phone at different heights and angles. This will ensure you have at least one that you like and gives you plenty of options to choose from.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Annie Tao
Professional Photographer
Expert Interview. 3 March 2021.}
- To automatically take more than one picture at a time, use the burst mode by holding down the shutter button or the volume button when you're ready for your selfie.
- If you have one pose that you like, take multiple pictures in it, making slight tweaks each time. For instance, if you like your legs crossed, take one shot with your hand on your hip and another with your hand in your pocket.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I make my selfies a little more interesting?

Annie Tao
Professional Photographer
Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.

Annie Tao

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

Throw on a hat or a purse! A little fun accessory is a great way to brighten things up and make your selfie a little more interesting.
Question

What can I do to make my selfies a little more casual?

Annie Tao
Professional Photographer
Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.

Annie Tao

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

Try using a variety of different facial expressions over the course of a few shots. This will give you plenty of options when it comes to picking a laid-back shot. You can also try including your hand, shoulder, or arm in the shot; that can often make you look more casual.
Question

My selfies always look kind of boring. How can I get a little more creative with my selfies?

Annie Tao
Professional Photographer
Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.

Annie Tao

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

Experiment with the filters you have at your disposal. That's an easy way to make your shot look a little more creative. You can also play with different light and shadow configurations to hide parts of your face or body.