diff --git a/example/lib/main.dart b/example/lib/main.dart
index b41a719..ab8a40e 100644
--- a/example/lib/main.dart
+++ b/example/lib/main.dart
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ class _DemoPageState extends State<DemoPage> {
                     isMultiScan: isMultiScan,
                     scanDelay: Duration(milliseconds: isMultiScan ? 50 : 500),
                     resolution: ResolutionPreset.high,
+                    lensDirection: CameraLensDirection.back,
                   ),
                   if (showDebugInfo)
                     DebugInfoWidget(
diff --git a/lib/flutter_zxing.dart b/lib/flutter_zxing.dart
index 9bcc719..693613e 100644
--- a/lib/flutter_zxing.dart
+++ b/lib/flutter_zxing.dart
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import 'zxing_cross.dart'
     if (dart.library.io) 'zxing_mobile.dart'
     if (dart.library.html) 'zxing_web.dart';
 
-export 'package:camera/camera.dart' show ResolutionPreset;
+export 'package:camera/camera.dart' show ResolutionPreset, CameraLensDirection;
 export 'src/models/models.dart';
 export 'src/ui/ui.dart';
 
diff --git a/lib/src/ui/reader_widget.dart b/lib/src/ui/reader_widget.dart
index 32d5e67..9d3be57 100644
--- a/lib/src/ui/reader_widget.dart
+++ b/lib/src/ui/reader_widget.dart
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class ReaderWidget extends StatefulWidget {
     this.scanDelaySuccess = const Duration(milliseconds: 1000),
     this.cropPercent = 0.5, // 50% of the screen
     this.resolution = ResolutionPreset.high,
+    this.lensDirection = CameraLensDirection.back,
     this.loading =
         const DecoratedBox(decoration: BoxDecoration(color: Colors.black)),
   });
@@ -111,6 +112,9 @@ class ReaderWidget extends StatefulWidget {
   /// Camera resolution
   final ResolutionPreset resolution;
 
+  /// Camera lens direction
+  final CameraLensDirection lensDirection;
+
   /// Delay between scans when a code is detected, will be ignored if isMultiScan is true
   final Duration scanDelaySuccess;
 
@@ -158,7 +162,11 @@ class _ReaderWidgetState extends State<ReaderWidget>
       setState(() {
         this.cameras = cameras;
         if (cameras.isNotEmpty) {
-          selectedCamera = cameras.first;
+          selectedCamera = cameras.firstWhere(
+            (CameraDescription camera) =>
+                camera.lensDirection == widget.lensDirection,
+            orElse: () => cameras.first,
+          );
           onNewCameraSelected(selectedCamera);
         }
       });