Tips for Taking Great Photos for your Professional Profile

A polished profile photo doesn't require an expensive camera or a professional photographer. Modern smartphones can produce excellent results if you pay attention to a few key details. For small business owners, your profile photo is often your first impression, so it should communicate that you're approachable, trustworthy, and professional.

If you can, ask a friend or family member for help taking some photos on a high quality smart phone.  Ideally, you will eventually get some professional headshots from a photographer - but until you feel ready to make that investment in your business, here are some tips for a D.I.Y. Photo Session

Key Rules for a Professional Profile Photo

• Use natural light. Stand facing a large window or go outside during the hour after sunrise or before sunset. Avoid harsh midday sunlight and overhead indoor lighting, which creates unflattering shadows.  Avoid bright lights shining directly in your face making you squint, and avoid having the light source coming from behind you or directly above you.

• Choose a simple background. A clean wall, bookshelves, greenery, or another uncluttered setting keeps the attention on you. Avoid busy rooms or distracting decorations.  Avoid piles of clutter, laundry, or mess behind you.

• Dress like your brand. Wear clothing you would realistically wear when working with clients. Solid colors usually photograph better than busy patterns. Choose colors that complement your skin tone rather than blending into the background.

• Look at the camera lens. Making eye contact with the camera helps create a sense of connection and trust.  Your eyes should be focused and sharp, giving the appearance that you are awake, alert, focused, and prepared to meet with clients.

• Smile naturally. You don't need a huge grin, but a genuine, relaxed expression makes you appear more approachable. If your brand is more serious or mystical, a calm, confident expression can work just as well.

• Hold your Head up straight, shoulders relaxed but with good posture. A very slight tilt to the head can look inviting, but a strong tilt of the head to one side or the other looks childish, immature, or silly.  A strong posture with head held straight exudes confidence and maturity.

• The image should be sharp. Make sure the camera focuses on your eyes. Your face should be in focus, not blurry or in movement.  Blurry profile photos look unprofessional, even if everything else is perfect.

• Avoid a selfie taken with camera in hand at arm's length. This distance distorts the proportions of your face, and prevents you from holding your shoulders straight.  This results in a photo that looks less professional.  Most smart phones have an option to set the camera on a timer, or you can use a selfie stick

• Set the camera slightly above eye level. This is often a flattering angle. Avoid shooting from below your face.

• Use Portrait Mode if available. Many smartphones can softly blur the background, helping you stand out without looking artificial.

• Avoid heavy filters. Edit only enough to adjust brightness, contrast, and color. You should still look like yourself when clients meet you in person.

• Fill the frame. Crop from about the chest or shoulders upward. Your face should take up most of the image so people can recognize you even in a small social media thumbnail.  Leave some space around your head. Since different platforms crop profile photos differently, don't place your face too close to the edges of the frame.

• Use a high-resolution image. Upload the original photo rather than a screenshot or compressed copy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wearing sunglasses or hats that hide your face or cast shadows.
• Taking a selfie from arm's length, which can distort facial features.
• Using group photos with other people cropped out.
• Having bright windows behind you, making your face appear dark.
• Using old photos that no longer look like you.
• Something partially hidden behind you that looks like it is growing out of your head.
• Too many busy bright patterns that distract from your face and eyes.
• Too many props.
• Clothing or background colors that do not compliment your skin tone.

Bonus Tip for Spiritual Professionals

If you're an astrologer, tarot reader, coach, healer, or other spiritual practitioner, let your personality show without overdoing the props. Wearing a favorite piece of jewelry, sitting in front of a tasteful bookshelf, or having a softly blurred altar in the background can reinforce your brand.

The focus, however, should always remain on you. Clients connect with the person first, and the aesthetic second.