Scott Clifton Photography

The distance you have to place the camera from the subject to frame the subject properly (not too close to exclude part of what you want to show and not so far away that you include stuff you don’t want to show) depends on the focal length of the lens. With a short focal length you have to get closer to the subject than you would with a longer focal length lens.

However, if the camera is too close, the image will be significantly distorted. See this video. This explains why selfies are rarely flattering!

But the maximum practical focal distance is governed by how big the room you are shooting in is!

So some compromise may be required here. One shouldn’t get too obsessed about this issue but if an appropriate longer focal lens is available and you have sufficient room, take the shot from further away.