Whether you’re a pro like Miley Cyrus or, well, not, there’s an art to capturing the perfect selfie. We rounded up the top 10 rules for setting up the best shot, with expert tips from George Pimentel, the Toronto-based celebrity and red carpet photographer, who honed his skills snapping stars such as Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lawrence.
1. Never shoot from below.
Hold your iPhone up above your head and shoot down. “It’s most flattering to shoot from above,” explains Pimentel. This also prevents creating a double-chin in the shot.
2: Avoid head-on pics.
First, figure out your best side: is it your left or your right? (We all have a best side—just ask Mariah Carey, who is almost literally always photographed displaying her right side.) Experiment by taking pics and see which looks most flattering. For your prettiest self-portrait, tilt your face slightly down and to your best side.
3. Watch those arms.
Sure it’s a selfie, but it doesn’t have to look like a selfie. “Keep your arm out of the shot and avoid having your fingers in the frame,” Pimentel says. Another no-no? “Don’t take a self-portrait against a mirror.”
4: Accentuate your waist.
Put your hand on your hip—it’s an instant shortcut to arm slimming.
5. Lighting is key.
Position yourself so that rays of sunlight fall softly on your face, which creates a flattering, romantic effect. “Be sure to have the sun in front of you,” say Pimentel— shooting with the sun behind you can create unwanted shadows on your face.