We know that one of the first noticeable things on a social media profile is your profile picture. A profile has the power to give people a positive insight into you or a negative one, and many people underestimate the significance of a profile picture on your online presence.
Many reserve their best pictures for portfolios and business sites like LinkedIn or Skype. And using these stunning, high-quality images as your profile pictures on other social platforms can help grow your following and friends lists.
But how can you enhance your social media profile effortlessly when you need help figuring out where to start?
Keep reading for the best ideas for Facebook profile pictures and other social giants; no one wants some weird old man profile pictures shared with the world.
Why Is It Important to Have a Good Profile Picture?
A bad-quality profile picture is still considered better than having none, but what does it mean when someone has a grainy profile picture or does not know how important a profile picture is for their social media profile?
Yes, that grainy bathroom mirror selfie is a no-go for social media. Many people first notice a profile picture, and people tend to move past your profile when it is outdated or lousy quality. A profile picture is meant to attract users and show them part of who you are without using words. Therefore, it is essential to have awesome profile pictures that will grab users that find your profile’s attention and make them want to interact with you.
But there are also crucial differences to remember when looking for profile pic ideas for Instagram and LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional platform; you should avoid using your party and holiday pictures as profile pictures. Instead, stick to professional headshots and use stunning pictures of your life for your social media platforms.
Should I Keep the Same Picture for Social Profile?
There is no set time to use a profile picture, but using your high school pictures from ten years ago is not an accurate representation of who you are currently.
But in the end, it is all up to you, and we recommend looking inward and trying to figure out what your brand is. If you are using your profile for business reasons or to build a following, you should update your profile picture at least every year. Having a consistent profile picture gives you an allurement and keeps people in your hemisphere updated on how you look.
Social media platforms used for personal pictures or reasons depend on you. If you love that ten-year-old picture, keep it. But it might lower your interaction rate. On the other hand, if you went for a photoshoot and liked the photographs taken, use them, and if you only find another one that you like a few years later, that’s okay. But only if you are interested in something other than growing your social media network.
10 Creative Profile Picture Ideas to Make You Attractive
There are many things to consider when looking for the right profile picture—your brand, what type of profile, and what social media platform. In addition, a social media profile picture helps you introduce yourself to the online world. Therefore you need to know what are good profile picture ideas.
Let’s get started on the top profile picture ideas.
1. A Headshot
A headshot is always a good profile picture on any social media platform. It gives off professional vibes while showing what you look like. In addition, headshots attract attention to your facial features and make you easily recognizable.
You can use headshots on professional sites like LinkedIn and personal social media like Facebook. They are perfect for either site.
2. An Avatar
Avatars are gaining popularity on many platforms. There are a large variety of avatars to choose from. Besides, you can use the customized avatar you designed. An avatar can help you express your personality. Using a unique avatar makes you more memorable, and people associate that cute avatar with your name. Avatars are not usually suggested for LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram but are great for TikTok, Twitch, and Reddit.
3. A Logo
A logo, at times, can be decerning for the new user who does not know you, but if your motive is to attract people to your business or brand, a logo profile picture is perfect. A logo profile picture should be interesting enough to attract users to your company and then to you.
4. A Picture of You with Something You Love
When you love something, you are instantly glowing. So whether you love a bagel or your dog, take a picture of yourself with it. Involve something part of your daily life in your profile picture to show people what you love most. This gives people a sense of who you are and shares something personal at first glance, this grabs the viewer’s attention, and they tend to have more interest in your page.
5. A Family Picture
I am not saying a picture with 20 members of your family; I am suggesting a picture with your partner and kids or fur kids if you still need to get children. People tend to trust you more when you show yourself with your family and associate your profile picture with love and security. Make sure that you are very visible, and try to have your family share a hug with your face showing toward the camera. This way, you show yourself without drawing attention to the other people in the photograph.
6. Black and White Photo
Black and white images are very sophisticated and clear, and you get to see a picture more intensely. If you like a classy and elegant look, edit your favorite color pictures to black and white mode for a beautiful spin on your other images. Black and white photos also look more professional, automatically making your profile picture look like it was taken by a professional.
7. A Funny Photo
Nothing is more memorable than a funny picture, so you should always try to put a fun spin on your photographs. One great way is to involve an ice cream cone. An ice cream cone is fun and can be used to play around. By messing around putting ice cream on your nose, the options are endless. You can also look for masks, glasses, or wigs to add something else.
8. A Photo of You Working
When creating a social media brand for yourself and you decide to include your business life, a picture of you working is perfect. Your profile picture shows viewers your dedication and the joy you receive while working. Of course, there might be better ideas than this if you hate your job, so only do this when you are happy with where you are.
9. A Photo that Involves Your Passion
Skydiving, knitting, or any other hobby you might have is another way to show people who view your profile a bit about yourself at first glance. For example, if you enjoy reading, take a picture of you snuggled up on the couch with your favorite book. This allows people to see you cutely while expressing an interest you have that they might not know about.
10. A Photo of You at Your Happiest
Happy times = awesome profile pictures. There is something about a person when they are thrilled, a glow of some sort. When you radiate happiness, you can see it through your image. So using a profile picture of a happy time makes the people who view the picture feel the warmth of your smile and attracts them to your profile.
Awesome Social Media Profile to Improve Your Online Presence
Here are two ideas to help you get started with a profile picture on social media platforms.
Facebook Profile Picture Ideas
1. Use up close, but not a too close headshot. A headshot frames your face nicely and focuses on your facial features.
2. If you love doing a fun and funky profile picture, try using different color lights and aiming them at your face. Turn off the lights and spread the color lights around until your whole face is covered with the lights. This way, you can still see your face while it is dark around you.
Twitter Profile Picture Ideas
1. Create a unique avatar using an application or designer. When you make a custom avatar, you attract users to your brand. An avatar is not the best for Instagram or Facebook, but Twitter is a less personalized platform and is a great way to use avatars as profile pictures.
2. One of my top Twitter profile picture ideas is the shadow. Because Twitter is not as personalized as other social platforms, this works great. First, find a clear wall that could be more well lit, and place a spotlight or a ring light pointing to the wall. Next, position your camera on the wall with you out of the frame and take a picture of your silhouette on the wall.
Instagram Profile Picture Ideas
1. When deciding on a picture for Instagram, use a picture of you with a wide smile. This will be welcoming to viewers, and your body language will be inviting.
2. Remove the background of your best picture and replace the background with a solid color. You can also replace it with a calm and simple background for a cleaner look.
10 Tips to Take a Good Profile Picture
Having a few good ideas for profile pictures can be handy, but there are still a few things to remember when taking a new profile picture.
Profile pictures give people a sense of who you are, and your unique aesthetic should shine through.
But if you are like me and hate taking pictures of yourself, these following tips for profile picture are perfect for you.
1. We Need to See Your Face
They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, and the saying couldn’t be more accurate regarding profile pictures. People who can’t see your face or eyes tend not to remember you. When your show your face in a photo, the viewer has a cognitive bias that draws them in, and then you have a better chance of making a new connection.
Whenever I see someone use their dogs as a Facebook profile picture, I immediately associate them with an old lady that doesn’t know how Facebook works. Your feed is where you post your dogs and hobbies, and the feed is where people learn the finer details about your life.
Profile picture idea:
Use a picture where you felt happiest and at a park sitting on a picnic blanket and laughing at the camera. The image can involve your upper body along with your face. Be sure not to turn your head too far, and we want to see your face.
2. The Right Dimensions
When your face is too close to the camera, you might lose your distinctive look, or the camera will cut off some of your best features. When you are too tight, your face also tends to look more round resulting in an awkwardly proportioned image. You should have enough background space while still near the camera without overcrowding the foreground.
Here are the following profile picture dimensions recommended for social media applications. Make sure your image suits these dimensions to have adequate space for your face and the body parts you want to show.
- Instagram Profile Picture Size: 320 × 320 pixels
- Facebook Profile Picture Size: 170 × 170 pixels
- Twitter Profile Photo Size: 400 × 400 pixels
3. Give Your Best Smile
A smile gives you a relaxed and welcoming look, making users feel drawn to you. People tend to notice when your body language is closed off and uncomfortable. When you smile, you give off a worry-free happy-go-lucky expression.
A forced smile can look strange, so we recommend practicing a natural smile when possible. For example, if you saw an image of a person sitting on a bench with crossed arms and a severe face instead of a person relaxed and smiling, which account would you prefer to associate with? The one that does not make you feel like they are about to jump you.
Profile photo idea:
Use a full-face picture with the most natural smile; a forced smile can look awkward. You can always tell when a smile is forced. Try to be in the moment and think about a time when you were happy or something that made you laugh.
4. Use Color
Colors are a great way to bring life into your awesome profile pictures. Why? Because color attracts engagement. Color is used in marketing daily, specific colors are warm, and others are classified as cool. Make sure to use the correct contrast of colors in your images, and find cool colors to compliment your warmer colors. Look for Fall and Summer outfit inspiration, and use the suggested colors to compliment your scenery.
Profile picture idea:
Wear a warm blouse with clothing that classify as cool colors. This way, your clothing items complement each other.
5. Remove Your Background
A busy background on a cute profile picture can distract the viewer. Try to have your background simple and out of focus. You can even remove the background entirely. Using a solid color or background effect can help you reach a higher targeted audience. This also allows the viewer to focus on the focal point, which is you!
Profile picture idea:
Use an application to remove the background of your favourite picture, making you the focus point and drawing people in.
6. Try to Avoid Selfies
We all love a good selfie, but selfies only sometimes scream relatable content. A selfie here and there might be okay for your Instagram or Facebook feed, but using a selfie as a profile picture is only sometimes the best choice. Selfie cameras on phones are usually low resolution, and the image could be better. Having a photographer snap a few portraits of you for future profile pictures is one of the best things you can do. These images usually scream confidence and always show off your best angles.
Profile picture idea:
Find an affordable photographer and have your picture taken. Professional photographers have an eye for every detail, and they help you pose to suit all your best features.
7. Find the Best Poses
Poses can sometimes seem annoying, but finding the right pose that shows off all your best features will allow anyone who sees your awesome profile picture to see these features too. We understand that not all people will have the same flattering poses, but you need to play around and find the best pose for you and your body type.
Profile picture idea:
Stand a few feet away from the camera and look slightly sideways. Stare at a focal point and smile graciously. This great pose still shows your face yet seems pretty natural.
8. Stay Recognizable
A profile picture helps people on Facebook or Instagram recognize you. Avoid going overboard with makeup, and do not use any Snapchat filters. Too much makeup and filters change your facial features to the point where people have no idea who they are looking at. Instead, stay true to yourself and show off your natural beauty or simple makeup looks without changing your whole face.
9. Lighting
Lighting is everything; if your image is dark, you can not be seen. Nothing is worse than a profile picture where you can not see the person’s appearance. You need to be able to recognize the person in the image. Dark artistic pictures are great for your feed, but not profile pictures.
Profile picture idea:
Use natural lighting, and find a place outside that offers the best natural light. Try and avoid shadows falling on your face. You can also use a ring light for those dark days.
10. Use a High-Quality Camera
One of the best things you can do when taking your profile pictures is to use a decent camera. You might have slightly diminished picture quality when you use a cell phone. I am not saying all phones have lousy quality, but they do not compare to a DSL camera on a tripod.
11. Extra Tips
● Don’t have a dark image
● Do not use blurry or grainy images
● Use a ring light or make sure to have enough natural light
● Have your picture taken by a professional
● Use a high-quality image
● If you edit your photo, try to avoid over-edit, and keep it simple
● If you need to add a logo, make it small and not too noticeable for your profile picture
● Make sure people can recognize you, and you do not want anyone to say that it is not you
Final Thoughts
When selecting a profile picture for any social media site, you must consider what type of brand or look you want your profile to have. Therefore, when starting your profile, it is always essential to have good ideas for profile pictures.
After reading this article, I am sure you have remembered a few previous pictures that could have been better. This is a chance to reinvent yourself. Spend time in your profile and decide what look you want to have.
Until next time.
FAQ
1. What a profile picture says about you?
A profile picture is a way to give people a hint about who you are and what your interests could be.
2. Is a selfie good for profile picture?
A selfie is not an excellent idea for a profile picture; they could be more sleek and professional. Many selfies also tend to be low quality due to the front camera being lower in egapixels.
3. Should I wear my glasses in my profile picture?
Many people wear glasses permanently and want to wear them in their profile pictures. But sometimes glasses can be distracting and even have reflections. So try and avoid them, but it is entirely up to you.