Social media is filled with selfies, but we all know that “just chilling on the couch” shot wasn’t as effortless to take as it appears. A good selfie is more than point, shoot and post. It’s a combo of setting up your shot and letting your inner selfie shine. (And taking at least a dozen pics until you get a good one.)

Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years from both sides of the camera:

Lighting is everything - A good selfie is all about the lighting. A selfie shot in natural light will help you look healthy, happy and refreshed. Stand towards the light to avoid shadows, but don’t stare directly at it or you’ll squint. Facing a window or standing in an overhang will help diffuse bright sunlight, or protect from rain on wet days. If you’re short on sunshine, avoid fluorescent lighting and opt for a large light source set at eye level. Harsh, direct light isn’t flattering, but soft window light is best.
Know your angles - Focus on your best features to get a flattering selfie. Don’t know which is your best side? Take pics from several angles and compare. Try holding your phone just above eye level to accentuate your eyes while slimming out your cheeks and neck. (But not too high or your face will look distorted.) Remember the rule of thirds and don’t center yourself in the photo, but tilt yourself to add interest.
Cozy up to the camera - A selfie is not the same as a headshot, so ditch the stiff poses and corporate vibes. Act natural and relax your face — don’t strain your smile or open your eyes too wide. Focus instead on a happy memory or emotion you are trying to convey. The best selfies have a candid quality that looks like a friend stopped by and snapped a pic, not like you’ve been preening in front of a mirror. I always tell my clients when I am taking the photo to smile with your eyes, even if you aren’t doing a full-faced grin.
Filters are your friend - Don’t be afraid to use filters or Photoshop to your advantage. Adding highlights, increasing contrast and playing with color undertones can all improve your image. But there’s a fine line between airbrushing blemishes and editing yourself to look like someone else. If you’re relying on too many filters to finetune your photo, you may need to improve your original shots. (Or realize you’re being too hard on yourself.)
Backgrounds matter - Choosing a background is like choosing wallpaper. You don’t want a cute selfie ruined by a bad backdrop. That means no standing in front of a plain white wall or next to a cluttered countertop. Curate your shot by posing in front of a colorful mural, blooming flowers or a vignette of favorite items. Be creative and try to highlight the background as much as yourself.
Give yourself props - Don’t know what to do with your hands? Hold something! Having a bad hair day? Wear a hat! Need to spice up your selfie? Use a prop! Not a literal photo booth prop, but regular items like a handbag, coffee mug or sunglasses. Adding items of visual interest will keep your photo from feeling flat.

Above all, don’t give up! Take notes from your favorite social media stars and keep taking selfies. There are endless ways to take a photo of yourself, so find a style that suits you best.