How to Take a Full-Body Photo of Yourself When There's No One to Take It

The easiest way to take a full-body photo of yourself when no one is around is to stick your phone to a window or a full-length mirror with a nano-suction (also called micro-suction) mount, back up until your whole body is in frame, and trigger the shot with your camera's self-timer or a small Bluetooth remote. You get a clean, head-to-toe photo with no one holding the phone, no tripod, and no awkward propping.

That one change, a solid grip on glass at the right height, solves what most advice skips over: keeping the camera steady and level while you step away.

Why doesn't propping your phone up or using a tripod work?

Most answers to this question fall back on gear or luck, and both let you down at the worst moment.

A tripod is something you have to own, remember, and carry. Indoors it eats floor space, tips on carpet, and is one more thing to pack. Propping the phone on a dresser, a windowsill, or a stack of books rarely lands at the height you want, and a single bump slides it to the floor. A handheld mirror selfie keeps your hand and phone in the shot, so the phone covers part of your face or outfit.

None of these give a stable, hands-free camera position, which is the whole point when no one is there to hold it.

What actually holds your phone on glass hands-free?

AIRSTIK is a handmade phone mount, made in Savannah, Georgia, that grips smooth glass using micro-suction. The pad is covered in thousands of microscopic suction cups that press against the surface, so it holds without any adhesive and leaves zero residue when you take it off. There is nothing to peel and no ring mark left behind on your mirror.

A few details that help when you are the subject:

• It holds up to 2 lbs, so a phone in a case is no problem.
• It repositions an unlimited number of times, so peel it off and move it up or down to fine-tune your framing.
• It is fully waterproof and made of nearly unbreakable polycarbonate, so a bathroom mirror or kitchen window works too.
• AIRSTIK has been made in the USA since its 2015 Kickstarter, it is a US registered trademark, and it comes with a 30-day warranty.

How do you set up your phone to take a full-body photo alone?

Here is the whole process, start to finish:

1. Pick a smooth, stable vertical glass surface such as a full-length mirror or a clean window. It must be flat and steady, not frosted, textured, or moving.
2. Press the mount onto the glass at roughly chest height. That height keeps your body centered and your proportions natural.
3. Snap your phone into the cradle. A case is fine.
4. Open your camera and back up until you are head-to-toe in frame. For a window shot, stand facing the phone. For a mirror shot, step slightly to the side so the phone is not blocking you.
5. Set the self-timer, or use a Bluetooth remote or smartwatch to fire the shutter.
6. Take a few, then peel the mount off and move it higher or lower to nail the angle. It repositions cleanly, so experiment freely.

Full-body photo methods compared

Should you use a window or a mirror?

Both work, and each has a use. A window gives you a true forward-facing photo instead of a reflection, which looks more like a photo someone else took, and it lets you use the light coming through the glass. A full-length mirror gives the classic look and lets you see yourself to pose before the timer fires. For a natural, non-selfie result, use the window; for outfit shots, use the mirror.

Whichever you choose, the surface has to be smooth and stable. Micro-suction and nano-suction both describe the same residue-free glass grip, and they need real glass to work: they will not hold on frosted, etched, or textured surfaces, on painted walls, or on wood. If you already use a mirror for outfit shots, the same setup covers our guide on how to take a mirror selfie without holding your phone and how to take progress photos in the mirror hands-free.

Get set up

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a full body picture of myself when there's no one around?

Stick your phone to a window or full-length mirror at chest height with a nano-suction mount, back up until you are fully in frame, and use your camera's self-timer or a Bluetooth remote. The mount holds the phone steady and level so you do not need anyone to hold it.

How can I take a full-body photo without a tripod?

Use a smooth window or mirror as your stand. A micro-suction mount presses onto the glass and holds your phone hands-free, so you get the same steady, level shot a tripod gives you without carrying one. It also packs flat in a bag or pocket.

How do I take a photo of myself without it being a mirror selfie?

Mount your phone on a window instead of a mirror, then stand facing it and use the self-timer. Because you are photographing yourself directly rather than a reflection, the result looks like a photo someone else took, with no phone or hand in the shot.

Will a micro-suction mount leave marks on my window or mirror?

No. A micro-suction pad grips with thousands of tiny suction cups and uses no adhesive, so it leaves zero residue and no ring marks. You can peel it off and reposition it as many times as you like.

Can the mount hold my phone with a case on?

Yes. AIRSTIK holds up to 2 lbs, which covers a phone in a typical case with room to spare. Just press it onto clean, smooth glass and snap your phone in.

Does it work on any glass surface?

It works on smooth, stable glass such as windows, mirrors, and shower glass. It will not grip frosted, etched, or textured glass, painted walls, or wood, and it is meant for steady surfaces, not moving ones.