Over the years, I have seen some silly headshots and profile photos. Here are some of the more common mistakes that I see that make a profile photo downright bad:
1) Looking up at the camera
Why people do it: Most humans look better photographed from above, but a skilled photographer can find your best angle without pointing the camera down at you -- much less by standing on a ladder or a chair.
Why it is a bad headshot: When you are lower than the camera, you appear to be in a submissive posture, as if you are cowering, weak, or child-like.
2) Driver's seat selfie
Why people do it: The light bouncing around you in your car creates a beautiful lighting situation that is almost universally flattering.
Why it is a bad headshot: Forget the headshot. Even as selfies go, it is a lower form of selfie. A car photo communicates to us that you were impressed with yourself when you started the car and checked yourself in the mirror. EW.
3) The cropped out friend shot
Why people do it: Before we had huge digital libraries of photos, the only decent photo of ourselves might have included other people. To my surprise, some people still use these badly lit, low resolution, cropped shots on their profiles.
Why it is bad: It tells the world that you don’t like being photographed. Listen, you took the time to crop the photo and upload it. We know that on some level, you do care about having a profile photo. You do not have to be a narcissist to pony up for a headshot that can represent you well.
If you are still using a bad headshot, consider this your intervention! Drop me a note below and I guarantee a professional headshot that you and I will love.
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