6 tips for a good profile photo

Although morally wrong, we have to admit that people’s judgments are always influenced by appearance. With the advent of various social media, our avatars or profile photos are now ubiquitous. They’re even much more visible than our carefully designed corporate logos. Your profile photo is an integral part of your branding. So it’s a very important element on your CV or on your professional social network like LinkedIn, because it’s going to speak for you. Here are 6 tips for a good profile photo. However, if you want a specialist to take charge of creating and modifying your profile photo, call in a freelancer on BeFreelancr.

What are the advantages of having a good profile photo?

A good profile photo can make a big difference in various aspects of personal and professional life. It plays a crucial role in how you are perceived by others and can influence their first impressions.

Impact on first impressions

Your profile photo is often the first thing people see when they visit your online profile. A professional, eye-catching photo can instantly capture attention and generate positive interest.

Building trust and credibility

A well-chosen profile photo can inspire confidence. It gives the impression that you take care of your image and are professional in your approach. This can be particularly crucial in contexts such as job hunting or professional networking.

Easier recognition and recall

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A distinct, recognizable profile photo helps others remember you more easily. This is useful in both online and offline interactions, where quick recognition can foster smoother, more effective relationships.

Reflecting your personality and professionalism

Your choice of profile photo can express your personality and convey messages about your professionalism. A photo suited to the context (personal or professional) reinforces your image and can align other people’s perceptions with your own vision of yourself.

Strengthening your personal brand

At the end of the day, a good profile photo helps reinforce your personal brand. It communicates values, style and a consistent online presence, helping to shape the image you wish to project to your network and beyond.

How to have a good profile photo?

If you want to have a good profile photo, here are some important tips to remember:

Opt for a good, high-resolution profile photo.

To get agood impression of yourself through a portrait or photo, you need to choose a recent photo. This is the most important of the 6 tips for a good profile photo. At first glance, it should resemble you as closely as possible. Avoid using passport or CIN photos as profile pictures, as they are very old. You can also bet on ahigh-resolution profile photo, even if you’ve taken it with a smartphone. If your profile photo is out of focus, don’t hesitate to delete it and choose another one. To maximize your profile photo on professional networks like LinkedIn, choose a size of 400 x 400 pixels.

Choosing a good portrait profile photo

Choosing a portrait photo is one of the 6 tips for a good profile photo. A professional profile photo means that your portrait should represent 60 % of the image. In fact, unlike other non-specialized social networks, avoid choosing a vacation photo for yourprofessional profile or a photo of yourself. Therefore, for an effective and captivating photo that makes a good impression, crop the image from the top of your shoulders to the top of your head i.e. in ” head shot “.

Adopting a good expression

A profile photo should reflect your personality, and that’s so you can represent a brand or your job application well. Generally speaking, the smile is the favorite expression for your professional profile photo. Indeed, it offers a much more approachable air. According to the professional social network used, a smile with teeth is twice as good as a smile with a closed mouth. However, if you find your smile uncomfortable or reticent, choose the way that feels most natural to you. In the first few situations, keep things simple and natural.

Highlighting your chin

The neck is always an ugly place for everyone. If possible, mask this area by emphasizing your jawline more. To do this, simply pull your head forward and tug your neck muscles as you pose.

Prefer natural light

Lighting your profile photo can also change its appearance. For example, if you use artificial light or light that’s too bright, the tone of the photo will change. In addition, shadows are created on your face, making photos look bad. Therefore, photograph your avatar in natural light for best results. If possible, also try to take photos outdoors, and avoid taking photos in poorly lit areas. You can also take photos indoors, using only the light from nearby windows. To do this, don’t hesitate to ask someone else to take your picture

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Enhance your photo with filters

To enhance your profile photo, you can use filters according to your needs. In fact, professional platforms like LinkedIn can provide you with downloadable filters to retouch your photos. Don’t hesitate to use them to enhance your profile photo. However, when using them, be sure to create and convey a beautiful mood. If possible, use the Classic and Spotlight filters to improve the clarity of your profile photos. If the filter you see isn’t right, you can always edit your photo by adjusting its brightness, saturation or contrast directly on your phone or on certain platforms.