Not since the days of Picasso has self-portraiture been so prevalent. Smartphones’ high-quality built-in cameras and easy access to picture-enhancing apps are making “selfies” a ubiquitous form of self-expression among social-media users.

For most people, the most useful self-portrait is the headshot, which can be used as a profile picture for social-media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. When Ms. Craig takes a close-up, she points the lens directly at her face, rather than using a mirror. (Many devices, including newer versions of the iPhone, have lenses on both sides of the phone so you can take your own picture while looking at the image on the phone’s screen.)

For the headshot, Ms. Craig says lighting is important: She stands in front of a window to capture the natural light when possible or seeks a soft but potent artificial source.

check out this article for some more great tips to improve your picture taking skills