When we meet people we don't know, we always try to look our best. We go to the gym, put on nice clothes and take care of hygiene to make a good first impression. Whether we like it or not, looks really have a big impact on how others think about us. Consequently, having a nice profile photo on Facebook allows you to give people on the internet and in the real world the perception of you that you want.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Looking Your Best
Step 1. Cool off
A healthy appearance is very attractive, so to make the best impression, you need to take care of hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth and shower before taking the photo.
- Exfoliate and moisturize your face and body to give your skin shine.
- Don't forget to floss. This helps remove plaque and allows for a brighter smile.
Step 2. Show off your best features
Style your hair in the way that best suits your face, or use quality makeup to highlight your strengths. Think about everything you do before an important date and repeat those steps. If you feel beautiful, you will be more comfortable in front of the lens.
If you have the time and money available, go to the hairdresser for a full treatment. Ask if she can teach you how to mimic her work at home, so you can take care of the hair yourself when you want to take more photos in the future
Step 3. Choose the right clothes
Wear clothes that enhance your shape and draw attention to you. The bright colors capture people's gazes, in the midst of nature as well as in the crowded streets of a metropolis. Use accessories that are striking, but don't overshadow your face.
Make sure you don't have any unsightly stains or noticeable tears
Method 2 of 5: Decide on the Composition of the Photo
Step 1. Lighting is very important
Regardless of what the background is, images always look good if the lights are dim. Under these conditions, the contrasts of the shadows are blurred and no sharp shadow areas are formed on the face or on the objects around you.
- Think of a romantic candlelit dinner, where there are soft lights all around you.
- The places where it is easiest to find soft light are outdoor shaded areas, where the sun does not shine directly on you. Try the side of a building or house.
- Bright, direct lighting can be too strong and highlight unattractive features, such as wrinkles and bags under the eyes.
Step 2. Choose a neutral background
If possible, try not to have anything directly behind you, so that all attention is focused on your figure. Walls in plain colors or with very simple patterns are ideal, but the important thing is to stand out from the background.
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If you're at a party, get away from the crowds to take your photo. Only you should appear in your profile photo.
If you've chosen a group photo, put yourself in the center
Step 3. Choose a beautiful frame
The world is full of natural frames such as driveways, mountain ranges, trees, entrances or even people! Arrange these elements along the edges of the photo to become the main subject. This makes you the main point of interest.
Step 4. Use the rule of thirds
Divide the image into nine equal sections using two vertical and two horizontal lines. Place your figure and other important images in the frame along these lines or at the intersection points. This makes the photo more balanced and interesting.
If you take a photo with an object or monument in the frame, this is an aesthetically pleasing rule to use. The symmetry is very eye catching
Method 3 of 5: Discover the Perfect Pose
Step 1. Use a good mirror
Practice in front of a clean mirror and experiment with which pose, angle, and facial expression to use in the photo. Make sure the surface is not smudged and the reflection is not distorted or out of focus. This ensures you get accurate directions.
Step 2. Tilt your body
To look slimmer, orient your body 45 ° from the lens, but keep your gaze towards the camera. Bring one foot forward slightly, or one shoulder if you are seated.
Step 3. Use your "good side"
Our bodies and faces are not perfectly symmetrical. Find which side you prefer and bring it to the fore in the photo.
Look at the photos you've posed in and you may find that you have a tendency to turn your face to the right or left. This is probably the side you prefer, because that's what makes you comfortable
Step 4. Stretch your neck
This creates the illusion of height and elegance. It may seem unnatural to you, but try to put your shoulders back in front of the mirror and you will find that you immediately look thinner.
Step 5. Relax your arms and hands
Put one hand on your hip and make sure you leave a small space between the limbs and the body. This way the arms will not be pressed against the torso.
Touch your clothing. Move the dress or put your thumb in the belt
Step 6. Analyze celebrities similar to you
Find a famous person of similar age, height and build and view photos of him. Try out her poses and see if her posture is right for you too.
Step 7. Avoid clichés
A lot of people imitate mundane poses because they feel uncomfortable. Some examples are "duck face", "tongue-in-cheek" or gang gestures. If you feel nervous, step away for a minute and snap the picture right away when you get back into the frame. You will have less time to worry about your appearance.
Method 4 of 5: Take the Photo
Step 1. Find a camera
In the modern era, almost everyone has a camera at their disposal. Choose which device to use, be it your computer webcam, mobile phone, digital camera, or disposable.
- If you don't have any of these devices, go to your nearest home appliance store and ask which model is best for you.
- If you don't have a lot of money to spend, buy a disposable machine from newsstands or supermarkets. Otherwise, ask a friend if they can lend you theirs.
Step 2. Think about the size
Decide if you prefer a close-up or a full body photo. Facebook profile pictures are quite small, so close-ups are the best choice. If your shapes are your strong point, try a half-length pose.
Step 3. Take a selfie
These photos are self-portraits usually taken with a digital camera, with a mobile phone in your hand or with a stick called a "selfie stick". This type of shot allows you to better control what other people will see. In most cases, the best angle for a selfie is slightly higher than eye level. Also, you shouldn't be looking directly into the camera, so orient your face towards your "good side".
- Selfie sticks are sticks that help take selfies beyond the reach of your arm. If you don't have one, stretch out your arm and take a picture of yourself.
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If you are using a smart phone, turn the phone over so you can see the image on the screen. Position the shot exactly how you want and take a picture.
- Try to keep your arm out of the frame.
- Most phones have higher quality cameras on the back, so the best option is to ask someone to take your picture, even if the style is that of a selfie.
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If you don't have a smartphone or are using a camera, find a mirror so you can still see the image. If you don't have a mirror available, tilt the screen as much as possible towards you.
Almost all selfie sticks have a mirror
Step 4. Get help from a photographer
Find a friend or passer-by willing to take your picture. Make sure the person knows how to focus the image to avoid blurring and pixelation. In cameras, a small box usually appears when you look across the screen. This is a very useful aid to center the photo and bring it into focus.
- If the box doesn't pop up automatically, you should find an option in your device settings to make it appear.
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To make the picture more interesting, ask the person to zoom in all the way and move away until the subject you are shooting completely fills the frame, before taking the picture.
Make sure the flash is off, to avoid too bright lights
Step 5. Use a countdown timer
This allows you to position yourself in an ideal way. Ask the person taking the photo to count before pressing the shutter, or do it yourself. If you want to take a selfie, place the camera on a stable surface, set the timer and get into position.
Read the camera instructions to learn how to set the timer. If you have lost the manual, you can find a digital copy with an internet search
Step 6. Take lots of photos
This way you will have many images to choose from. The first few shots may not come out the way you wanted them, so choose the one you like best.
For the duration of the photo shoot, periodically check the images you have taken. This way you can decide what to change to take a wonderful photo. For example, you could move to another position, change your posture, or fix your hair
Method 5 of 5: Edit the Photo
Step 1. Improve the lighting and image quality
It is not always necessary to resort to editing a photo, but in some cases this can make your shot even more spectacular. Use an editing program to brighten the parts of the photo that deserve the most attention. This gives more depth to the image and makes it more evocative.
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There are many image editing programs available to the general public. Here are some examples of what you can find on the internet:
- https://www.picmonkey.com/editor
- https://www.befunky.com/features/photo-effects/
- Photoshop
Step 2. Use a filter
This can make the photo more interesting without affecting the image. You may find that you look more beautiful with some filters than the original shot. Many smartphones and computers come with programs that can apply filters, so experiment and find the solution you like best.
Don't use a filter that distracts attention from the photo content. The "negative" or "sketch" effects can be confusing and even unsightly based on the original image
Step 3. Crop
Use an image editor to crop the photo and make it more balanced. You can delete unwanted objects or people you don't want to shoot in the frame. When the photo is posted on Facebook, the site provides you with a cropping tool.
Step 4. Do the finishing touches
If your photo portrait needs some tweaking, use an online airbrushing tool. You can remove and fix the spots you don't like and get the look you want. By whitening your teeth or making your tan more colorful, people will see you at your full potential.
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On the internet you can find many effective and easy to use airbrushing tools.
- facebrush.com
- fotor.com
- makeup.pho.to/
Advice
- Be consistent. Take a beautiful photo and keep using it. Do not change it after a few days or even after a few months. Today people's attention is divided between dozens of commitments, so you have very few moments to try to make a good impression and create a bond.
- Accept yourself and learn to appreciate yourself in photographs. We have a tendency to criticize ourselves too harshly, but often other people don't notice the little imperfections that worry us.
- Be yourself and smile. Even if you don't like your smile, almost everyone is more beautiful when they are happy.