Setting Up Your Phone

• Stabilize the Phone
  • Use a tripod if you have one.
  • If not, stack books or boxes until the camera is at eye level.
  • Tape the phone against something sturdy if needed.
• Camera Choice
  • Back camera (recommended): Highest quality, sharper details. 
  • Front camera (optional): Easier to frame yourself, but usually lower quality. Only use if you can’t manage with the back camera.
• Orientation
  • Always shoot in portrait (vertical) mode.   
• Distance from Camera
  • Stand about 1–2 meters (3–7 feet) away. 
  • Too close = distortion, too far = loss of detail.
• Camera Mode
  • Use the standard/raw camera mode only. 
  • Do NOT use iPhone Portrait Mode or Android Portrait/Beauty modes. 
  • No filters, no skin smoothing — keep it natural.
• Flash
  • Avoid using your phone’s flash — it usually creates harsh shadows and flat skin tones. Stick to natural or lamp lighting.

Lighting (Most Important)

• Use natural light whenever possible.
• Stand facing a window with indirect light.
• Don’t stand with the window behind you.   

If natural light isn’t enough

• Use lamps with white bulbs. 
• Place lamps at a 45° angle to your face for soft shadows.   

Avoid

• Overhead lighting (unflattering shadows)
• Harsh direct sunlight (causes squinting & blown highlights)

Background

• Use a plain, solid-colored wall, curtain, or sheet. 

Avoid

• Busy or patterned backgrounds
• A background that’s the same color as your shirt

Framing & Posing

• Keep the camera at eye level. 
• Frame from shoulders up to top of head. 
• Leave a little space above your head.

Posture tips

• Stand or sit tall
• Relax your shoulders
• Slight body angle (not square-on) looks natural

Expression

• Gentle, relaxed smile
• Neutral or slight head tilt for variety
• Look directly into the lens

Taking the Shot

• Use a timer (3–10 seconds) or a remote shutter.
• If using the back camera: Pre-focus trick — place an object where you’ll stand, tap to focus on it, then lock AE/AF. Step in after removing the object. 
• Take multiple shots with slight variations:
  • Neutral smile
  • Bigger smile
  • Subtle angle changes
• Review after a few shots to adjust posture or lighting.

Reminders Before Shooting

• Clean your phone lens
• Don’t use digital zoom (step closer instead)
• Double-check background and clothing contrast
• Take plenty of photos — more options = better results

• If you have someone with you, even better — let them take the shots so you can focus on posing naturally.
• If you own a more professional camera (like a DSLR or mirrorless), that’s an even stronger option:
• Always shoot in RAW mode for maximum editing flexibility. 
• Test both with and without flash to see which lighting works best for your space.