What makes a profile picture good

Consider that the standard in most social media platforms is to have squared profile pictures. If, for example, you want to use a portrait format photo, the top and bottom parts will be cropped. Also, make sure the subject is the right size. For example, if the original photo is a closeup, it will be too big when you crop the image for display.

All programs and apps have a crop tool that allows you to compose your image to the right size ratio. You can also export your photos in the right format and resolution afterwards to have your profile pictures perfectly optimized for each platform. See our guide to social media image sizes. Blurring the background is a classic technique from portrait photography. When you do this, you make the subject stand out and eliminate any distractions from the rest of the picture. Read our guide on blurring the background using Lightroom.

A wall or a photo studio background will give you the best results. If you prefer to shoot outdoors or have a more natural setting, try to find a neutral color without many details — for example, shoot against the sky. Just be careful with light exposure, as having a backlight can create an underexposed subject; this technique works better if the sky is overcast.

Otherwise, you can use foliage as a background and blur it. You can do this with graffiti, a projection, architectural details, flowers, and so on.

Good profile pictures are also the ones that better show your personality. One of the most important aspects of great profile pictures is good lighting. If you choose to use natural light, you have to consider the place and the time of day in which you want to have your profile pictures taken. Find a well-lit location and try to shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

You can use reflectors or fill flashes to do a better job. Also, if you want a cool profile picture for personal use, you can get more creative and experiment with different techniques such as light painting or using color gels. To ensure that you get the right exposure, start by finding a well-lit location.

Then, use a manual or semi-automatic mode on your camera to get control over its settings. You can control the exposure settings on a smartphone as well. Most native camera apps allow you to tap on the subject to calculate the exposure — then you can swipe up or down to adjust it. A smile is one of the key features of great profile pictures.

Some people think that you have to be serious in your profile pics, especially for professional networking. You can, of course, try different expressions and see which one looks best. Sometimes a half-smile is better than a broad grin or vice-versa.

The most important thing is that it looks natural. How you pose in profile pictures is super important because body language communicates different things — and you want yours to give a positive impression. Also, the right posing will help you to highlight your best features and look amazing in your profile picture.

Here are a few tips to consider when posing to make an awesome profile picture. If your business is from the creative field, or you want a cool profile picture for your personal accounts, you can experiment with props or special photography techniques — something that reflects your personality and allows for more creativity. Some of the most fun ideas are silhouettes, levitation photography and light painting. You can use your profile photos to give a deeper impression of who you are. An important part of getting professional-looking photos is post-processing.

For basic photo editing, you can use any program or app that allows you to adjust color and lighting, as well as cropping and exporting an optimized file. Stick with the tried and true head-and-shoulders shot. Avoid using effects or filters.

Traditional black and white lends a nice touch of class to your professional portrait. Women do best when they smile with teeth, while men are better off with a closed-mouth smile. Some research shows that unsmiling men looking away from the camera are well-liked as well. Sports shots are a big hit among both sexes, as are candid pics, outdoor shots, and photos of people out on the town.

One study suggests showing the left side of your face because it expresses more emotion. Most studies say that putting other people in your pics is not a good idea. However, men do well with animals in their shots. One study says you should look away from the camera, while another says you should look straight ahead. And yet another says that not only should you look at the camera, you should flirt with it. Bottom line? Take this research with a giant grain of salt and be sure to use your own best judgment.

That said, if you use these platforms for your business, career, or love life, being attentive to the above advice is a good idea. If you want to try out some fun effects for your profile pic, this is the place to do it. For this photo, we used the Tranquil effect.

You could also try throwing in some fun graphics , like hearts , flowers , or stars. One thing that all types of profile pictures can benefit from is a dose of touching up. The key is using the right amount. Instead, just give your appearance a boost.

Learn how to touch up photos. Customize a profile image template in PicMonkey. Another option for achieving profile pic greatness? One of our designer-made profile picture templates. These come pre-sized for Instagram, but you can use PicMonkey's Smart Resize tool to easily size your image for other purposes.

A good profile picture on Facebook or other online social networks helps you present your personality —and your work! Want to know how to take a good profile photo that stands out? In this article, we will explain how to create a good profile picture in 7 easy steps. Your profile picture describes who you are as a person. You want your profile picture to look like a professional photograph. The first thing you should do is find a quality camera to use to capture your photo.

If possible, use a tripod when you shoot. Tripods will produce the best results because they help you stabilize the camera, which reduced blur and camera shake in your photo. A tripod is essential if you plan on taking a self-portrait, too. Lighting and other factors also influence the quality of your profile photo. Keep reading to learn how good lighting can help you create a great profile picture! Your professional camera probably comes with a built-in flash, but we recommend you use natural lighting in your photo instead.

Camera flash is often too harsh in portrait photos, which is why professional portrait photographers have specialized lighting setups. Instead of buying expensive lights, we recommend taking your profile picture on a moderately bright day , an hour or two before sunset. The background you choose will affect the lighting in your photo, too. But, you can also try multiple colored backgrounds or scenes to find the most attractive backdrop for your photo.

Just make sure that the background you chose is well lit and provides ample light for your face. Both of these things will help form the base for a great good profile picture.