Not necessarily.
However, even if you use a selfie photo, your face must be clearly visible from the front, and the photo must meet the required standards for background, lighting, angle, and image quality.
If your head is tilted, there are shadows or filters, the lighting is poor, or the background is cluttered, it may cause issues during the review process.
To reduce the risk of delays or rejection, it is safest to use a photo that meets passport photo standards rather than a casual selfie.
You can apply for ESTA easily through ETAPORTAL, so it is recommended to prepare your photo carefully before submitting your application.