Start with soft, even light
Face a window in indirect daylight, or use a diffused light in front of you. Avoid bright backlighting, overhead spotlights, and strong shadows on one side of your face. Even light makes the outline and individual features easier to read.
Keep the lens at eye level
Set the camera directly in front of your face. Looking down into a phone or tilting your chin upward changes the visible proportions. Keep your head upright and your shoulders relaxed.
A photograph is a point of view. Keep the camera, the conditions, and the person behind the picture in perspective.
Give the camera some distance
Close, wide-angle selfies can exaggerate the center of the face. Step back and use a timer when possible. Crop the image afterwards rather than bringing the lens very close to your nose.
Choose a relaxed expression
Keep your eyes open naturally, your jaw relaxed, and your lips comfortable. A neutral expression makes repeat comparisons easier. You do not need to force your face into a pose.
Make the outline visible
Move hair away from the sides when checking face shape. Remove sunglasses and avoid filters that alter skin or geometry. Include the whole forehead and chin in the frame.
Compare like with like
When comparing photos, use the same lighting, camera distance, head angle, and expression. If those conditions change, treat a different score as a different photograph rather than proof that your face changed.
For personal exploration and educational context. Appearance feedback is subjective and is not medical advice. Read our methodology.