10 Outstanding Profile Picture Ideas for Social Media

100 milliseconds—this is how long it takes to form a first impression of a person by seeing their photo. During this short time, the brain performs countless processes to decide whether an individual is trustworthy, likable, or confident. Your profile picture is a main win-or-lose feature when it comes to building presence and authority on social media. As the first touchpoint, it determines whether other users want to connect with you.

If you’re wondering, “What should my profile picture be like?”—you’re in the right place. To help you build a desired image and maximize your social media influence, we’ve compiled a list of cool profile picture ideas. Check it out to show off your best self to the world!

Key things about a profile picture and its value

A profile picture is a small visual with big impact. It’s an image a user chooses to create their virtual persona on social media, messengers, or forums. But a profile picture is more than just a visual identifier. When done well, it reflects your personality and creates a cohesive image. Want to convey authority, creativity, or authenticity? You can put any message in your profile picture. Moreover, it’s an essential element of personal branding that reinforces your professional identity, establishes trust, and sets you apart.

Imagine yourself in a large crowd. Someone will notice you, and someone won’t. In the digital environment, it works the same way. The only difference is that in the real world, you can’t control how you are perceived, whereas online realms like social media provide many tools to shape the way others see you. One of these tools is a profile picture. The fact is that 55% of first impressions are visual. We’re not just talking about liking. The appearance of your profile picture can influence other users’ judgments of your intelligence, reliability, or skills.

Whether you want to build your social media credibility or become an opinion leader, a powerful profile picture that grabs attention and conveys expertise is a must. While there are many ways to take an eye-catching photo, we’ll share some tried-and-true tips that will help you win over most users. Find out what others like to see to adjust your profile picture for lasting benefits.

How to create a cool profile picture

We curated this list of the best photo practices with professional image building in mind. It’s a real hit for those looking for Facebook or LinkedIn profile picture ideas. At the same time, these guidelines are so versatile that they work for any platform.

1. Show your face

Just like people look at each other’s faces when they meet offline, users scan profile pictures the first time they interact digitally. In this case, the face is the only source of information since there are no other visual cues, such as different expressions or body language. No wonder headshots are the most common profile pictures. With such a relatively tiny image, you must provide the most complete picture of yourself. And there is no better option than to show your face.

This choice is supported by the following study. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Yahoo Labs analyzed 1.1 million Instagram photos and found that images with human faces are 38% more popular. Simply put, people want to see who they are dealing with. It’s especially vital when using social media for professional reasons. That’s why most LinkedIn profile pictures are headshots.

2. Present the real you

Let’s face it: we all sometimes overuse the opportunity to sugarcoat reality in photos. It primarily applies to appearance. However, your profile picture should give an accurate idea of what you look like in person. No matter how much you like the photo, if it doesn’t help people recognize you in reality, it fails.

For the same reason, you shouldn’t use photos that are too old, especially if your appearance has altered a lot. For example, you might have changed your hairstyle radically, grown a beard, or started wearing glasses. A profile picture should reflect any significant transformation in looks.

3. Look at the camera

It’s one of the most impactful profile picture ideas. Eyes have the power to attract attention and establish a connection, even when it comes to photos. Looking at the camera makes you approachable and inviting. On a subconscious level, an open posture and turned shoulders are perceived as signs of interest and respect. We consider such a person to be attentive to us and willing to communicate.

The power of the gaze is proved by science. Studies show that people who make eye contact seem more intelligent, conscientious, and sincere (in Western culture). Moreover, the eye-contact effect is a psychological phenomenon that activates the so-called “social brain,” a network of brain areas involved in understanding other people. In other words, by looking at the camera, you evoke an emotional response from the audience and appear more familiar.

4. Smile

You won’t believe how much a smile can improve your profile picture! There’s a scientific explanation for this, too. First, people who smile naturally seem more attractive. Secondly, according to research, smiling individuals appear more confident and more likely to be approached. Such people convey a sense of cheerfulness and openness that encourages connections.

Another feature of a smile is that it is contagious. People subconsciously mirror others’ emotions. By smiling, you send a positive signal to everyone who looks at you, and these people, in turn, experience good feelings towards you. With all the benefits in mind, try a friendly expression for your photo. And there is no need to smile with all your teeth. A half-smile will be enough to create a more welcoming image.

5. Consider the background

The next point in our list of profile picture ideas is the choice of background. The rule here is clear: it should be as simple as possible. Since users’ attention spans are already very short, you don’t want anything to distract them for even a split second. Your face should be the main and only focus.

However, you don’t have to use a boring white background. A good option is to choose a solid-colored backdrop. It will create an eye-catching contrast to your outfit. Besides, colors evoke various emotions and associations. Want to convey a sense of reliability and loyalty? Pick blue. And if your goal is to add energy and excitement, go for red.

If you have a nice photo for your profile picture, but the background may be distracting, use our free Background Remover. Just upload your image, click the button, and get a file with an isolated object to add to any neutral background.

6. Use soft light

Lighting can completely change the way you look in a photo. For example, harsh light is good for creating contrast and a dramatic effect, especially in black and white. The downside is that it emphasizes wrinkles and skin imperfections by filling them with shadows. Although you can get a cool profile picture with harsh light, soft would be a better choice as it gives a natural blurring effect and requires less processing.

There are several ways to get soft light. First, you can use natural light from windows or doors to create beautiful photos. The second option is to shoot outside. For best results, consider the weather and time of day. You will get the perfect light on overcast days and during the golden hour, a short period just after sunrise or before sunset.

7. Turn to a professional photographer

You might wonder, why do I need a professional photographer when I have a smartphone with a good camera? It is an option, but it’s better to hire a professional if you are committed to creating a credible image. Need some arguments? According to the survey, 87% of HR pros, business owners, and managers say the professionalism of LinkedIn profile pictures influences their evaluation of candidates.

Another perk of working with a professional is that you don’t have to worry about nuances such as background, lighting, or suitable poses. An experienced photographer will provide you with all the necessary instructions and take complete control of the creative process. It’s a proven way to get the highest quality photo that reinforces your competence.

8. Don’t overuse filters

We’ve already mentioned the importance of being recognizable in your profile photo. This also applies to using filters. There is nothing wrong with adjusting colors and removing skin imperfections. Just avoid beauty filters designed to modify face features. Tricks like making your eyes bigger or nose smaller to get a cool profile picture can play havoc with you, as they misrepresent the real person. Strive to look authentic and unique, not perfect.

9. Crop the image

Framing is one of the last points on our list of profile picture ideas. The standard practice is to crop a photo to show a head and shoulders. To be clearly recognizable, your face should take up to 60% of the frame. If you want to add visual interest, don’t place your face in the middle of the picture. A symmetrical composition can make the photo a bit dull. Instead, use the rule of thirds. Overlay the image with a grid of two horizontal and two vertical lines and place the key visual elements, like a dominant eye, where they intersect.

10. Choose the right resolution

Remember that different platforms have different requirements for profile pictures. If you want your photos to be displayed in high quality, prepare files of the correct size. Here are the profile picture sizes for the most popular social platforms:

Facebook profile picture size: 180 × 180 pixels
Instagram profile picture size: 320 × 320 pixels
LinkedIn profile picture size: 400 × 400 pixels
YouTube profile picture size: 800 × 800 pixels
X (Twitter) profile picture size: 400 × 400 pixels
TikTok profile picture size: 200 × 200 pixels
Pinterest profile picture size: 165 × 165 pixels
Discord profile picture size: 128 × 128 pixels

To sum up

Although we know you can’t judge a book by its cover, this is often the case. The same goes for a profile picture in the digital world. Based on your social media profile picture, people decide on your intelligence, skills, or reliability. And these judgments are often misguided. What you can do in this situation is ensure your desired impression at the first touchpoint. Use our simple profile picture ideas to elevate your online image and attract more loyal followers.