A computer-implemented method of selecting an image frame for processing, comprising: under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, obtaining a series of image frames captured using at least one image capture element; executing at least one orientation determining process around the time of obtaining the series of image frames to determine a relative orientation of a person in at least a portion of the series of image frames; selecting one of the image frames from the series in response to determining, via the at least one orientation determining process, that the person is substantially facing toward the at least one image capture element at a time substantially corresponding to a time of capture of the selected image frame; and providing the selected frame for facial recognition processing; wherein the computer-implemented method comprises detecting at least one feature in the series of image frames indicative of a person's head; in response to detecting the at least one feature, activating the orientation determining process; wherein the orientation determining process comprises: determining whether the at least one image capture element is moving; activating at least one infrared imaging mechanism of the electronic device operable to illuminate the person with at least one wavelength of IR light and detect IR light reflected back from the person and operable to emit pulses of IR light at a specified frequency of emission; wherein the orientation determination process prevents the emission of pulses of IR light when it is determined that the image capture element is moving; detecting features corresponding to the person's pupils in the reflected IR light; analyzing the detected features to determine at least one of an orientation, a measurement, or a level of focus of the detected features in the reflected IR light. under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, obtaining a series of image frames captured using at least one image capture element; executing at least one orientation determining process around the time of obtaining the series of image frames to determine a relative orientation of a person in at least a portion of the series of image frames; selecting one of the image frames from the series in response to determining, via the at least one orientation determining process, that the person is substantially facing toward the at least one image capture element at a time substantially corresponding to a time of capture of the selected image frame; and providing the selected frame for facial recognition processing; wherein the computer-implemented method comprises detecting at least one feature in the series of image frames indicative of a person's head; in response to detecting the at least one feature, activating the orientation determining process; wherein the orientation determining process comprises: determining whether the at least one image capture element is moving; activating at least one infrared imaging mechanism of the electronic device operable to illuminate the person with at least one wavelength of IR light and detect IR light reflected back from the person and operable to emit pulses of IR light at a specified frequency of emission; wherein the orientation determination process prevents the emission of pulses of IR light when it is determined that the image capture element is moving; detecting features corresponding to the person's pupils in the reflected IR light; analyzing the detected features to determine at least one of an orientation, a measurement, or a level of focus of the detected features in the reflected IR light. determining whether the at least one image capture element is moving; activating at least one infrared imaging mechanism of the electronic device operable to illuminate the person with at least one wavelength of IR light and detect IR light reflected back from the person and operable to emit pulses of IR light at a specified frequency of emission; wherein the orientation determination process prevents the emission of pulses of IR light when it is determined that the image capture element is moving; detecting features corresponding to the person's pupils in the reflected IR light; analyzing the detected features to determine at least one of an orientation, a measurement, or a level of focus of the detected features in the reflected IR light.