Why Your Nose Looks Bigger in Photos (30-Second Fix)
Updated: December 26, 2025
Have you ever looked at a “regular” photo (not a selfie) and thought your nose looks bigger than it does in real life?
You’re not imagining it.
In most cases, the biggest culprit is camera distance.
The 30-Second Fix
If you only do one thing, do this:
Move the camera farther away
Zoom in a bit to keep the same framing
Keep the camera around eye level (or slightly above)
That’s it. This alone makes faces look more natural.
The Real Reason: Distance Changes Face Proportions
When the camera is close, whatever is closest to the lens looks bigger.
That’s usually the nose.
When the camera is farther away, your face proportions look more like how people see you in real life.
Quick test:
Take one photo close.
Take another from farther away, then zoom to match the framing.
Compare them side by side.
In the examples below, the close shot is on the left, and the farther-away + zoom shot is on the right.
Most people immediately prefer the “farther away + zoom” version.
“Is It My Lens?” Kind of. But Distance Matters More.
Wide lenses are not “bad.”
They just make it easy to shoot too close, which exaggerates features.
A better rule:
Use distance to fix proportions
Use zoom (or a longer lens) to keep the framing
Best Phone Settings for Flattering Face Photos
1) Avoid ultra-wide for faces
Ultra-wide is great for places and interiors. For faces, it often stretches features.
2) Use 2x or 3x (and step back)
On most phones, 2x or 3x looks more natural for faces because you’re forced to shoot from farther away.
3) Use the rear camera + a timer
Rear cameras usually look better than the front camera. Set a 3–10s timer, step back, and shoot.
If you film yourself a lot, this guide helps you pick the right setup.
Best Camera and Lens Choices (Simple and Practical)
The “easy mode” focal lengths for faces
50mm (natural look)
70mm–85mm (often the sweet spot for flattering portraits)
If you want a versatile lens that covers a lot, the 24–70mm is a workhorse.
If you want a classic portrait look that flatters faces, 85mm is a great place to start.
Lighting Can Add “Extra Nose” Without You Realizing
Even with good distance, hard shadows can make the nose feel more prominent.
The easiest flattering light setup
Stand near a window
Turn your face slightly toward the light
Use a white wall or curtain to soften it
About Flash (When It Helps, When It Doesn’t)
Flash can help because it fills shadows.
But a harsh front flash can also make skin look flat in a bad way.
If you can bounce flash off a wall or ceiling, it looks much better.
If you want a simple intro to using flash (including bounce), this low-light guide is a good starting point.
If you want a clean, controlled portrait lighting setup (home studio style), this white backdrop portrait guide is a great reference.
Common Mistakes That Make the Effect Worse
Shooting too close and trying to “fix it later”
Ultra-wide lens for faces
Camera angle too low
Face near the edge of the frame (distortion is stronger near edges)
Overhead room light creating harsh shadows
Quick Summary
If noses look bigger in photos, fix it in this order:
Distance (step back)
Framing (zoom in)
Angle (eye level)
Light (soft, even light to reduce harsh shadows)
Member Bonus (Premium)
If this helped and you want faster progress with repeatable resources, this is where Premium fits.
If you want to get better at portraits fast, Premium members get more than tips. You get downloadable templates, gear picks, and mini-courses you can actually follow.
In Premium, you get:
Camera settings cheat sheets (printable)
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—Hakan | PhotoCultivator.com