Your profile picture is one of the first things people notice when they visit your social media accounts or dating profiles. Having an attractive, high-quality profile photo can make a great first impression and help you stand out from the crowd. But what exactly makes a good profile picture? What poses, backgrounds, and styles are most likely to catch someone’s eye in a positive way?
In this article, we’ll break down the key elements of an attractive profile photo. We’ll provide tips on lighting, camera angles, clothing choices, backgrounds, poses, and expression so you can take the perfect selfie or have professional photos taken. We’ll also highlight common profile picture mistakes to avoid.
With the right strategy, you can create profile pictures that look great and put your best face forward across all of your online platforms and accounts.
The Basics
First, let’s start with some profile picture basics that apply to both selfies and professionally taken photos:
Use a clear, high-quality photo
A grainy, pixelated photo will never be attractive as a profile picture. Use a clear image that is at least 720p or 1080p resolution. This means having at least a 12+ megapixel camera on your smartphone or digital camera.
Get the lighting right
With the right lighting, everything from your eyes to your smile will look brighter and sharper. Avoid dark, shadowy photos without sufficient lighting. The best lighting is diffused natural daylight on a sunny (but not overly bright) day. Indoors, face a window to get light from outside. You can also use ring lights or softboxes. Side lighting that highlights your facial structure also looks great. Just make sure the light source isn’t too harsh.
Look directly into the camera lens
Your eyes make a big impact in any photo. Looking directly into the camera makes it seem like you’re making eye contact and connecting with the viewer. Squinting, looking away, or glancing sideways can make you appear distracted.
Fill up the frame
Don’t leave a lot of empty space around you. Get close and fill the frame with your face and shoulders. You can always crop the photo to adjust the framing later. Being too far away will make you seem unapproachable.
Get in focus
Make sure your face and eyes are in sharp focus. You want the focal point to be on you, not on the background. A shallow depth of field with a blurred background directs the attention toward you.
Take multiple photos
Don’t just take one quick selfie and call it done! Take at least 10-20 photos and then review them. Adjust your pose, angle, and expression slightly with each shot. You’ll get some natural variations and have more options to choose from.
Ask a friend to review
We’re often our own worst critics when it comes to our appearance. Ask a trusted friend which photo they think looks best and see if they spot any issues you missed. A second opinion is very valuable.
Posing Tips
How you pose can drastically impact how you look in profile pictures. Here are some tips for attractive posing in selfies and professional shots:
Lift your chin slightly
Lifting your chin ever so slightly elongates your neck and improves your jawline. Don’t tilt your chin down or you may end up with an unflattering double chin effect. Pushing your chin forward also helps. Practice in a mirror to find your optimal chin angle.
Angle your body at 45 degrees
Turning your body at a 45 degree angle looks more natural than facing directly forward. Have your shoulders at an angle rather than square to the camera for a more dynamic pose.
Lean in towards the camera
Leaning your torso slightly toward the camera creates a more intimate feel and puts focus on your face. Avoid leaning back, which can disconnect you from the viewer. Prop your arm up on something solid so you don’t have to strain.
Use your hands & arms
Place a hand gently under your chin, on your hip, behind your head or let your arms relax at your sides. Bending one elbow and propping up your arm makes your pose appear relaxed and casual. Just avoid crossing your arms, which can seem defensive.
Look up slightly
Tilting your eyes up a little opens up your gaze and pulls attention toward your eyes. This trick works for both men and women. Just don’t over-do it. Looking down often shadows the eyes.
Have fun with it
A natural, authentic smile will always look better than a forced camera smile. Think of something that makes you happy so your joy shines through. Let your real personality and warmth show.
Take some candid shots
Take some photos when you’re laughing and having a great time. They will often capture you looking naturally attractive. The best profile pictures don’t seem posed.
Camera Angles
The camera angle plays a big role in how any photo turns out. Here are some flattering camera angles to experiment with:
Eye level or slightly above
The most natural angle is positioning the camera directly at eye level. Or, place the camera slightly above eye level and angle down slightly. This helps elongate your neck and face.
Above the head angled down
Holding the camera high above your head and pointing down creates a flattering perspective. But beware of achieving the dreaded “double chin” effect if the angle is too sharp.
Off to the side
Positioning the camera to one side adds visual interest to your selfies. Shoot from both directions to test out the light. Turn your face back toward the camera.
Down low angled up
Get low and aim the camera up for a dynamic “supermodel” shot. This elongates your entire body and slims your face. Find the right angle to avoid distortion.
Watch your proportions
Be aware of how the camera angle impacts your facial and body proportions. Avoid elongation and distortions. Wide-angle selfie cams can make features look inflated.
Fill the frame
Move closer and fill more of the frame with your face at any angle. But leave a little more space above your head than below your chin.
Focus on the eyes
Always check that your eyes are in focus at any angle. Our eyes naturally gravitate toward the sharpest part of any photo.
Background
Simpler is better when it comes to your profile photo background. You want the focus to be on you, not what’s behind you. Here are some background tips:
Choose a plain wall
A lightly textured wall with a neutral color like gray, beige or light blue makes for an ideal background. The color should complement your skin tone and hair color.
Go for solid colors
Solid colored backdrops in hues like black, maroon or hunter green look classy. They create an almost yearbook portrait style photo.
Blur the background
Use portrait mode on your smartphone or adjust aperture on your camera to blur the background. This artistic effect makes you stand out distinctly.
Try nature backdrops
Natural settings like a grassy field, trees, waterside, or mountains make attractive, outdoorsy backdrops. Just make sure you’re not too shadowed.
Avoid clutter & patterns
Stay away from busy, cluttered backgrounds as they are distracting. Patterns and prints also take attention away from you.
Soft, neutral textures
Interesting but subtle textures like weathered wood, brick, or stone complement your portrait nicely without being too busy.
Add a pop of color selectively
While neutral backdrops are best for profile shots, a soft pink wall, pale blue door or green hedge in the background can inject some lively color.
Styling Tips
Dress in solid colors
Solid color tops or dresses flatter you in photos and keep the focus on your face. Black, jewel tones, and brights tend to be most striking. Stay away from prints and graphic tees.
Style your hair neatly
Make sure your hair is styled neatly and out of your face. Use products to control frizz and flyaways. Style your hair in a way that makes you feel confident.
Do natural, flattering makeup
If you wear makeup, do natural looking makeup in warm, neutral tones. Add some tinted moisturizer, blush, a soft eyeshadow, lengthening mascara and lip gloss. Fresh and glowing is the goal.
Shine those pearly whites
Show off your smile! Be sure to whiten your teeth with strips or use a teeth whitening product prior to taking photos.
Get your brows on point
Defined, shapely eyebrows instantly pull your look together and add polish. Use brow powder or pencil to fill in sparse areas for fullness and symmetry.
Play up your best features
Do you have great dimples? Gorgeous green eyes? Luscious hair? Find out what your best facial features are and draw attention to them with makeup, styling and posing.
Look fresh and well rested
Aim to take photos when you’re feeling refreshed and energetic. Dark circles, pale skin and a tired expression aren’t ideal. Get plenty of rest, drink water, and feel your best.
Accessorize minimally
You’re the star in your profile picture, not your giant earrings or statement necklace. Wear simple jewelry that blends in and complements your look without overpowering it.
Selfies vs Professional Photos
While selfies are convenient, professional photographers generally take better profile photos. Here’s how the two compare:
| Selfies | Professional Photos |
|---|---|
| – Quick and convenient | – Higher image quality |
| – Limited background options | – Access to great locations & backdrops |
| – Have total control over posing | – Experience getting the optimal pose |
| – Familiar with your own angles | – New perspective on how you photograph best |
| – Can seem less serious | – Ability to look more polished |
Many photographers offer affordable mini-session specials for profile photos. But if you do opt for selfies, use tips in this article to get the most flattering, attractive shots.
Mistakes to Avoid
Use these common photo mistakes as a checklist of what not to do:
– Blurry, pixelated image
– Dark, poorly lit
– Distracting background
– Looking away from camera
– Hair in face, bad hair day
– Shiny, oily skin
– Red eye from flash
– Strange facial expression
– Closed mouth smile
– Shot only from below, above waist or too far away
– Taking only one quick selfie
Putting It All Together
Follow this process to take a phenomenal profile picture:
– Thoroughly clean and moisturize your face prior to photos
– Do your hair, makeup, and outfit styling
– Choose a clean, solid colored background
– Use diffused natural lighting near a window or outside
– Position the camera at an ideal angle, at or above eye level
– Lean your body slightly toward the camera
– Angle your shoulders at 45 degrees
– Lift your chin and look directly into the lens
– Relax your facial muscles into a natural smile
– Take at least 20 photos, adjusting your pose slightly with each
– Check that your eyes are in focus
– Select the most flattering, well-composed options
– Ask a friend to help select the best photo
– Do some minor editing to color correct and crop as needed
– Upload to all your profiles and accounts
– Update as your style changes over time
Conclusion
Your profile photo is one of the most important visual elements for projecting an attractive, engaging presence online and in dating apps. With the tips provided in this guide, you can highlight your best facial features, beautiful smile, and authentic confidence.
Taking flattering, vibrant photos involves paying attention to lighting, angles, expression, posing, background and preparation. A little effort goes a long way.
So craft your ideal image and put your best face forward with a profile picture that captivates anyone who views your profile. You’ve got this!