Tricks for taking the perfect social media profile picture

You only get one chance to make a first impression. And these days, that first impression can come via your profile picture on your LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media profile page. To select the perfect profile photo, consider these tips from researchers at the Department of Psychology at University of York, which analyzed 1,000 headshots in order to uncover facial characteristics that make the best first impression. 

1. Smile with teeth
   It makes you look more approachable.
2. Use a simple background
   Warm color backgrounds give the best results
3. Avoid full-length shots
   Head-and-shoulders or head-to-waist photos look best.
4. Don’t use a straight-on, centered photo
   An asymmetrical composition is more eye-catching.
5. Define your jawline
   A shadow line that delineates your jaw helps present you as someone who is likable, influential, and competent.
6. Wear solid colors
   Patterns can be distracting and will take away from the most important part of the photo: your face.
7. Avoid hats or sunglasses
   They make you look less approachable.
8. Try a slight squint
   Researchers found that slightly squinted eyes made photo subjects appear comfortable and confident, whereas subjects who were wide-eyed in their photographs appeared vulnerable and uncertain.
9. Be mindful of crop ratios
   Different social media sites have different size requirements for photos. Facebook, for instance, supports a 2×3 crop ratio, which means it will support the entire image. On the other hand, Twitter uses a square aspect ratio, meaning that you’ll need to crop the image to fit inside a square. Keep each site’s specifications in mind to make sure your photo is represented well throughout your social media.
10. Choosing between photos to post
    The researchers recommend selecting the one that best answers the question, “Do I look friendly and approachable?”

Not sure where to start with your social media efforts?
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