Your profile photo is often the first thing people learn about you. On LinkedIn it decides whether a recruiter clicks, on a dating app whether you get a message. Here are the five things I think matter most.
- Eyes and smile. A calm look into the lens feels trustworthy. A genuine smile comes from laughing at something – that’s why we chat during the shoot.
- A quiet background. A blurred street, greenery or a café wall can hint at who you are without stealing the show.
- The crop. Head and shoulders for LinkedIn. For dating, add a full-length shot and one of you doing something you love.
- Up to date. The photo should look like you do today, so meetings start with a pleasant surprise rather than confusion.
- You, not a role. You don’t need to look like a catalogue model. The best photos are the ones your friends recognise you in.