Buzz
Taking a selfie in front of a mirror is a fantastic way to capture photos showcasing your outfit and hairstyle, especially when you don’t have anyone to take the shot for you. To master the art of mirror selfies, start by setting up your surroundings, choosing the right mirror size, and adjusting the lighting accordingly. After that, select a flattering pose and decide whether to include the phone in the shot. Get ready for a fun and solo photo session!
Steps
Prepare Your Setting
Use a mirror of the right size, such as a wall-mounted or full-length mirror for full-body shots. Choose a mirror large enough to fit you comfortably into the frame. For example, a small mirror works fine for a close-up of your face, but for a full-body picture, you’ll need a bigger mirror.
- Remember, you can crop the image later during editing. If you're only capturing your face but have a large wall mirror, simply crop out the body part afterward to get the perfect shot.
Clean up the area visible in the mirror. If you're taking selfies in your bedroom or any room of the house, it's important to tidy up a bit to make sure the space seen in the mirror looks neat and clean. For example, pick up any dirty clothes off the floor, straighten the bed, and put away anything that might make you feel embarrassed, like a life-size idol poster in the room.
Tip: Don't forget to clean the mirror! Wipe the mirror with a clean cloth and glass cleaner to remove any smudges.
Find a spot with plenty of natural light or bright lighting. Natural light will give you the best selfies. To make the most of this, open the curtains fully so the room is bathed in light and try to take photos during the day when sunlight floods through the window. If you're shooting at night, you can mimic natural light by using soft, warm-toned lights instead of harsh ceiling lights.
- Fluorescent lighting or bright white lights can make your skin look dull.
- Avoid having light coming from behind you to prevent casting shadows. If possible, adjust the light source to shine on you from the front.
Pose
Look at the camera instead of the mirror to avoid looking too staged. When taking a selfie, instead of focusing on your reflection in the mirror, look at the phone's screen. This will not only help you ensure a great shot but will also make you appear more natural instead of stiff.
- Don't smile too wide. A gentle smile or a slight pout can make you look more charming.
Place one foot forward or cross your legs to appear slimmer. To create the illusion of longer legs, try either stepping slightly forward or crossing one leg in front of the other. Imagine you're taking a small step forward in a diagonal direction.
- You can also point the toes of the foot in front to further accentuate the slender look.
- Be careful not to take too big a step or lean too much to the side, as it may look unnatural.
Stand facing the mirror with your legs slightly apart to showcase your outfit. To highlight your outfit, stand with your feet hip-width apart and align your shoulders to face the mirror. Keep your posture straight, and pull your shoulders back to avoid slouching in the photo.
- You can place your hands however you like, either relaxed at your sides or place one hand on your hip for a more confident, edgy look.
Try sitting in front of the mirror for a unique photo. Be creative and take a variety of interesting mirror selfies. For example, sit on the floor with your legs crossed in front of the mirror, or rest one foot on the sink if you're shooting in the bathroom.
- If you're in the bathroom, you can also sit on the edge of the sink for a playful and quirky shot.
Tip: For more creative poses, search the #mirrorselfie hashtag on Instagram to see how others are posing for their shots.
Take the photo
Hold the phone slightly lower in front of your face to create a slimmer look. Be sure not to hold the phone lower than your chin. Then, create a height effect by tilting the phone slightly downward.
- The higher you hold the phone, the taller and slimmer you will appear.
- Experiment with different angles and heights to find your best shot.
Move the phone to the side and shoot at an angle if you don't want the phone to appear in the photo. To take a selfie without the phone showing, you can move your hand to the side and point the phone toward yourself. Check the screen to ensure the angle looks good and the phone is not visible in the mirror before snapping the picture.
- You can crop the phone out of the photo after taking the shot.
- If you don't want to stretch your arm too far, stand close to the edge of the mirror so you can easily move the phone out of frame.
Hold the phone in front of your face or lower it to hide your face. If you prefer not to show your face, hold the phone directly in front of you so it covers your face, leaving only your hair visible. To capture just your body, you can position the phone below your chin and tilt it downward until your head is no longer visible in the shot.
- Focusing on just your body allows you to draw attention to your outfit.
- Hiding your face in a selfie will help you avoid worrying about your facial expression.
Stand against the mirror and use the front camera for a double image effect. Lean in close to the mirror and switch your phone to the front camera, the one you typically use for selfies. Hold the phone in front of you to capture both your reflection and your real-time image for an artistic double effect.
Did you know?
You can create a similar effect by arranging two mirrors and standing between them. You'll see your reflection in the mirror behind you while taking your selfie.
Take multiple photos with different poses and angles. Don't just take one or two shots and think you've got the perfect photo. Take as many pictures as you can, experimenting with various poses and holding the phone at different heights and angles. This way, you're sure to find at least one shot you love, and you'll have more options to choose from.
- To take multiple pictures automatically, you can use the burst mode by holding down the capture button or the volume button when you're ready to shoot.
- If you find a pose you like, take several shots while adjusting your position slightly each time. For example, if you prefer a cross-legged pose, try one with your hand on your hip and another with your hand in your pocket.
