How to Take Pictures of Yourself Alone: The Self Portrait Guide

If you haven’t tried self-portrait photography before, you may be wondering how to take pictures of yourself alone.

In fact, many photographers find self-portrait photography tricky for several reasons:

First, you can’t be behind the camera, so you need to find a way to focus on your face and trigger the shutter button remotely.

Secondly, you need to understand the basics of lighting to avoid unflattering shadows on your skin.

If you want to learn how to take pictures of yourself alone, keep reading. Today, I will address both of these points (and more!).

(Just so you know: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. How to Take Pictures of Yourself Alone: The Basic Tools

The one must-have accessory to take pictures of yourself alone is a camera. 

However, this doesn’t have to be a fancy or expensive camera – just work with what you have. 

Of course, it’s great to take your self-portrait with a super modern camera that has all the features, but don’t feel like you can’t take a decent shot if you only have an old point-and-shoot camera or even a disposable camera available. 

(If you do want to invest in a new camera, check out my self-portrait camera review here).

Either way, the one thing your camera needs to have is either:

• a self-timer button/function (which is the case for nearly all cameras); or
• the option to connect a remote cable/wireless trigger.

Should You Use a Camera or a Mobile Phone for Your Self-Portrait?

Nowadays, almost everyone has a smartphone with a powerful camera, so do you need an actual camera for your self-portraits?

The answer is… it depends.

For example, I personally prefer using a mirrorless or DSLR camera for several reasons:

• I have the option to use different lenses
• It’s easier to change the settings manually 
• I find the image quality to be higher because I use a full-frame camera
• I have more control over where I place the focus in my image (when used with a remote shooting camera app).

However, if you only have a phone camera available, don’t worry! It will be more than enough.

Optional Accessory: a Tripod

Next, I recommend that you get a tripod for your self-portrait.

You can absolutely photograph yourself without one, but I can tell you from experience that trying to prop your camera against some objects is pretty annoying.

Also, your camera or phone may slip/drop and get damaged.

Tripods are not expensive, but they make the process much easier, so I think they’re worth investing in.

2. The Essential Ingredient for Great Self-Portraits: Good Lighting

Next, let’s talk about one of the most important aspects of photography: lighting.

Think of photographs you would see in adverts or magazines:

One reason they look so great is that professional photographers use tools like softboxes to diffuse the light and make it more flattering.

However, you don’t need access to a professional photo studio to take beautiful self-portraits.

Instead, you can get amazing results by using natural light:

You can either photograph yourself by a window or shoot in an outside space like your balcony, garden or terrace, if available.

Tips for Using Window Light

Here are some tips for using window light in your self-portraits.

Think About the Direction Your Window is Facing

When you use window lighting, you’re relying on the sun as your light source.

This can be annoying when you’re trying to take a self-portrait next to a window, and the light keeps changing throughout the day.

That’s why my first tip for using window light is to use a north or south-facing window, as the lighting will be more even throughout the day.

However, if you want a more dramatic look, try using an east or west-facing window:

These windows provide more direct light during sunrise and sunset.

Pay Attention to the Window Size

Next, it’s helpful to know that the size of the window greatly influences the quality of the light:

The larger the window, the softer the light. 

Use a large window if you want to create even, flattering light.

Taking a self-portrait next to a small window will result in more distinctive shadows and harsher light.

Think About Your Position Relative to the Window

For one of the most beautiful portrait lighting effects, position yourself partially off to the side so the light comes in at an angle:

For this effect to work, make sure to choose a window that doesn’t receive direct sunlight.

You can also shoot with the window behind you for a dramatic silhouette effect.

Proximity to the Window

Keep in mind that closer proximity to the window creates more contrast. 

If you want more even lighting, step a little further away from the window.

Using One or Two Windows

You can create beautiful light standing between two windows, illuminating either side of your face.

If you have only one window available but want to brighten up the shadow areas on the side of your face that’s turned away from it, use a piece of white foam board or cardboard as a reflector.

To do this, hold the foam board at an angle to reflect the light coming in from the window.

You can check in a mirror to see whether you’re holding it in the correct position.

If you want, you could even invest in a professional reflector.

I recommend you get a foldable one which won’t take up much space in your home.

Soft vs Hard Window Light

If you want to use the window as a gigantic softbox for the most gorgeous portrait lighting, shoot on a cloudy day.

The clouds act as a diffuser, making the light soft and, thus, more flattering. 

Alternatively, you can be strategic about using direct sunlight for a look like in this image:

Remove Other Light Sources

Unless you want to mix light sources, it’s best to remove all other light sources:

Switch off the ceiling light, any desk lights, etc., as these will interfere with the natural window light and create unwanted colour casts.

Modify the Light with Blinds or Shutters

If you have blinds, shutters or curtains, you can modify the light and create interesting shadows or dark areas.

This technique works particularly well in the early morning or late afternoon/early evening, when the sun casts longer shadows.

Before I move on to the next section, just a little interruption to say:

Did you know I’ve created a free ebook with 50 self-portrait ideas? More info below!

But now, back to the post “How to Take Pictures of Yourself Alone”!

Tips for Taking a Self Portrait Outside

Here are some tips for using natural light outside.

Time of day

The best time to take a self-portrait outside is during the golden hours, which occur shortly after sunrise and before sunset.

During these times, the light is soft and warm, creating a flattering glow on your skin. 

Shoot in the Shade/on a Cloudy Day

It’s best to take your photograph in the shade.

Standing in direct sunlight will create unflattering highlights and shadows.

It’s always a great idea to shoot on an overcast day:

The clouds act as natural diffusers, making the light soft and flattering.

Use a Reflector

If you’re shooting in harsh lighting conditions, you could also use a reflector to bounce light onto your face and fill in any shadows, as described in “tips for using window light”.

Incorporate the Background

If available, you can choose a location with interesting textures or colours that complement your outfit or overall aesthetic:

3. How to Get the Camera to Focus on Yourself

Figuring out how to take pictures of yourself alone can be difficult.

One main reason is that getting the focus right in a self-portrait is challenging!

I’ve tested many different methods over the years, and I can safely say that my favourite is using autofocus with face detection, coupled with a phone app to trigger the shutter button.

How it Works:

I set my camera to face detection autofocus, automatically detecting my face in the frame. 

Then, I connect it to a phone app compatible with my camera.

This app lets me control the camera remotely and take photos by tapping the shutter icon on the phone screen.

I love this option because:

• the focus is usually precise, and my self-portraits turn out super sharp
• I can control and adjust the camera settings directly from my phone screen.

There is a dedicated phone app for all major camera brands.

I use Imaging Edge Mobile for my Sony camera.

Using a Remote

If your camera is not compatible with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or there is no remote photography app available, you can also buy a remote trigger.

You can then connect the trigger to your camera and take the shot remotely.

Make sure to first half-press the remote button to focus the lens and then fully press it to take the photo.

If you want your hands in the shot but don’t want the remote visible in the picture, get a remote with a delay function.

Ideally, use a 10-second delay to have enough time to remove the remote from the frame.

If Your Camera Doesn’t Have Face Detection Autofocus

If your camera is older/analogue and doesn’t have face detection autofocus, you can use a stand-in:

Place an object, such as a tripod, where you’ll be sitting or standing.

Manually focus on that object, then remove it and put yourself in exactly the same position.

If using that method, avoid using a large aperture, like F2.8.

With a large aperture, the focal plane is very narrow, so the chance of being in focus is smaller. 

It’s better to use a slightly narrower aperture, like 6.3 or 8.

Focusing on Yourself With a Mobile Phone

Getting the focus right on a phone camera is easier than on a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Usually, the phone will automatically focus on your face.

If that doesn’t work well, you can use a stand-in as described above and use focus lock to keep the focus on the same spot.

Most modern mobile phones will have a focus lock feature – on an iPhone, you tap on the screen where you want the focus to be and wait for the yellow square to appear.

Then, tap and hold your finger in the middle of the square and keep it there for a couple of seconds until you see “AE/AF Lock”.

Now, your focus is locked onto that spot.

By the way…if you’d like to take a deep dive into self portrait photography, check out my complete self portrait guide, which teaches everything from concept development to camera settings and artificial lighting:

Now, let’s continue with posing and editing!

4. Posing in Your Self-Portrait

If you need some help with posing in your photograph, check out this post where I share the basic rules of posing as well as some great poses to try.

5. Editing Your Self-Portrait

Now you know how to take pictures of yourself alone.

Next, let’s talk about post-production!

Editing your self-portrait is optional, of course, but I recommend at least some light editing, such as removing distracting background details or skin blemishes.

If using a phone for self-portrait photography, I recommend the free app Snapseed, which has many great features.

My favourite software for photos shot with a camera is Adobe Photoshop.

If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, try Photopea.

Suggested Edits for Your Self-Portraits

Adjust the exposure, contrast, and brightness levels to improve the overall lighting in your photo. 

Enhance your features: Use tools like skin smoothing and blemish removal to enhance your facial features and create a flattering look. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as too much editing can make your self-portrait look unnatural. 

Experiment with filters: Filters can add an artistic touch to your self-portrait and help set the image’s mood. Try experimenting with different filter options until you find one that enhances the overall look of your photo. 

Crop and resize: It may be worth cropping or resizing your self-portrait to focus on specific details or create a more visually appealing composition.

Play with colours: Adjusting the colour balance, saturation, and hue can really transform the mood of your self-portrait, so it’s worth experimenting with that.

Next Steps

Taking self-portraits can be incredibly frustrating, since photographing yourself is really hard!

However, it can also be so rewarding – I personally love taking self portraits because I can make my creative vision come to life without having to book a model.

One thing I’ve sometimes struggled with is staying inspired. Once I’d experimented with the more obvious techniques and ideas, I often found myself wondering where to go next and how to keep coming up with fresh concepts.

I figured I might not be the only one with this problem…which is why I wrote my second book, a structured workbook with 70 self portrait photography prompts.

It’s divided into several themed categories and includes reflection questions for before and after the shoot.

You can read more about it here:

And that’s it for today! I hope to see you in the next blog post 🙂