July 2022

Create profile photo for the web

I regularly take further training, I love learning.

And sometimes repeating something that is already known is nice to just get the finishing touches.

For example, last month I did the course how to make a profile photo for the web .

It seems so simple, but a portrait or profile photo (which you use professionally) for the web is quite a bit involved!

On the question "Can I make it myself?"

is my answer"YesThat's certainly possible! It's only faster, easier & more professional to have it done by a professional photographer ."

The professional photographer has the knowledge and valuable equipment in-house,

and will therefore be able to create perfect lighting, which always benefits the photo.

It is also more convenient to have it done, because the other person can guide your attitude.

The photographer will take more distance, so there will be no distortions, etc

Suppose you want to get started yourself, then I have some knowledge that I would like to share with you.

What should you take into account when taking a profile photo for social media or your website?

In the first place:

• Have your photo taken alone! No children, partners, friends or pets to distract from you.
• Make sure your photo is recent
• Make sure you are recognizable in the photo.

Appearance:

Think about your appearance, how do you want to come across to others?

• Friendly?
• Serious?
• Much life experience?
• Concerned?
• Innovative?
• Creatively?

Choose colors

Colors partly determine the mood.

• Neutral
• Colorful
• Dark
• light

Clothing

• Be careful not to wear only (or too much) black; if you also have a dark background, there is a good chance that body shapes will disappear or disappear.
• Preferably do not use exactly the same color as the background. In this case too, you blend too much into the background
• Let your clothing match your appearance. You can feel comfortable and happy in it.
• Choose clothes that fit well! Clothes that are too loose take away from your beautiful body shapes. Well-fitting clothing creates beautiful lines. This also applies if you are overweight or underweight.
• Make sure that your décolleté is not an eye-catcher. It's all about your face. If necessary, cover it up with a scarf or something similar
• Plain, smooth fabrics are often preferred. Busy prints can sometimes be overkill, colors against a neutral fabric can determine the atmosphere of your portrait.

Makeup for women

• Foundation provides velvety skin
• Preferably choose a covering foundation
• put your makeup on a little thicker
• Choose a Consealer without SPF
• Powder with loose powder and down
• Eye shadow preferably in a natural shade
• Earrings are okay, but don't let them distract from your face. Preference is given to smaller earrings.
• Make sure your hair looks good. If necessary, go to the hairdresser beforehand.
• Check your Make-up in different types of light if you want to take a photo in different ways (daylight - artificial light - flash). There may even be a difference in how it looks in the photo on a sunny or cloudy day.
• Choose a lipstick or nourishing lip gloss/balm that suits your style.

Makeup for the man

• Foundation in liquid or powder form
• Care for the skin, lips and hair

Logos

When you use clothing with a logo, this immediately makes your photo very businesslike.

Please note that a logo can also make you appear too businesslike. which makes it less reliable than taking a very personal photo for the web.

Your look and attitude

• Look straight into the camera
• adopt an open attitude, a real (smile) smile on your face or opt for a neutral expression
• Stand/sit upright and pull your navel in a little (tighten your abdominal muscles a little).
• Do not cross your arms, as that creates a very closed posture
• No hands over your mouth for a profile photo!
• Your entire posture is important, even if only your head (and perhaps a part of your torso) is in the photo.
• Turn diagonally to the side and turn your face towards the camera.
• Keep your arms loose and your shoulders relaxed and low

Location

• Preferably choose a quiet background

(a busy city or right in front of busy bushes is not preferred for having a profile photo taken)

• Make sure that there are no disturbing elements (for example a pole or tree out of your head)
• Do not stand in front of well-known buildings, monuments, etc.! That distracts from you as a person.
• Also pay attention to the association of the chosen environment. A large fast food chain accidentally in the background while you are a dietician or doctor, or a billboard from a sex shop or coffee shop when you are a lawyer or judge or manager of a large company is of course a no go...

light

• It is important that your light is good. Not too dark, not too light and not too much contrast
• Daylight is preferred, but not direct sunlight (except for evening sun)
• Check the light intensity
• You can adjust light on the shadow side of the face by using a reflection screen (styrofoam or white cardboard also works). A second reflection screen can be used at chest height)

Flash

There are risks associated with flashing.

One risk of flashing is that you will flatten yourself, always provide some shadow to maintain depth.

Another risk of flash is that you get harsh shadows.

• don't 'flash'
• No concentrated flash (spot!)
• Flash indirectly. Preference is then given to the ceiling or a wall. Sometimes a light floor also works fine. and light.
• Photographers will use a softbox, reflector, backlight and/or hairlight. That is the advantage of professional equipment

Point of view

• Classic = at eye level
• From a low vantage point = radiates authority, makes you look bigger
• From a high position = makes submissive
• Close-up = Photograph only the face
• You can also make a portrait up to chest height or hip height. Keep in mind that the more there is in your photo, the less is visible.

Camera settings

• In my studio I prefer to work on 35mm because the distance to my model is not very great. I work for portraits with a small portrait studio.
• Outdoors I like to work with a nice zoom lens, so that I am not intimidatingly close when we start the portrait shoot. I like to take a distance and zoom in. What is also the advantage of a lens where we keep a little more distance from each other, is that there is less distortion.
• I choose a low ISO 0624200312 to get as little noise as possible
• focus carefully on the eyes! A portrait is all about the eyes...

Post-processing:

• Keep post-processing subtle! Don't go too far, especially for a profile photo. Keep yourself recognizable...
• Black and white is possible, but color is generally preferred for a profile photo on the web.
• Ensure a minimum quality of 92dpi (I even keep it a little higher, this takes up little storage space on your PC/phone, it is not suitable for printing, but it does provide a nice sharp image)

I hope this has helped you a bit.

If you don't like it now that you know what's involved,

Or you have tried but you have found out that it is more difficult than you thought,

then you are of course very welcome to schedule an appointment for a portrait shoot.

A little secret between us:

Even I'm considering having my own portraits taken by a fellow photographer.

He can see my attitude much better than I can myself.