Systems and approaches are provided for optimizing self-portraiture. The background of the self-portrait can be enhanced by image registration or stitching techniques of images captured using one or more conventional cameras. Multiple standard resolution images can be stitched together to generate a panoramic or a composite image of a higher resolution. Foreground elements, such as one or more representations of users, can also be enhanced in various ways. The representations of the users can be composited to exclude undesirable elements, such as image data of one of the users extending her arm to capture the self-portrait. An ideal pose of the users can automatically be selected and other image enhancements, such as histogram optimization, brightness and contrast optimization, color-cast correction, or reduction or removal of noise, can automatically be performed to minimize user effort in capturing self-portraits.