Your photos are usually the first thing someone sees. Their job isn't to make you look like someone else; it's to show clearly what you look like today and what your life is like. Honest photos also make first meetings easier, because nobody is surprised.
The photo set to aim for
- A clear portrait. Head and shoulders, natural light, face fully visible, a genuine expression.
- A full-length photo. In an outfit you really wear, showing your current appearance.
- An activity or interest. Cooking, climbing, painting, playing music: anything you genuinely enjoy.
- A social or candid moment. Relaxed and natural, and easy to tell which one is you.
- An optional "story" photo. A place, pet or project that invites a question.
Light, angle and the friend method
- Face a window, or shoot outdoors in open shade or the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.
- Avoid harsh overhead light and strong backlight.
- Hold the camera at or slightly above eye level.
- Ask a friend to take photos from a few steps away. It almost always looks more natural than a selfie.
- Take lots of shots and choose the few where you look relaxed.
Photo order matters
Put your clearest solo portrait first. Most people decide whether to keep looking from the first photo, so it should show your face clearly. Follow with full-length, then activity, then social, then a story photo.
Common mistakes
- Sunglasses, hats or masks in the first photo
- A group photo first, so people can't tell who you are
- Only selfies, especially in cars or bathrooms
- Photos that are several years old
- Filters or edits that change your face or body
- Backgrounds that reveal your address, workplace or car registration
Keep it honest
Use photos from the last 12 months. Basic brightness and cropping are fine; face- and body-altering edits aren't. We also recommend against AI-generated photos of yourself: they misrepresent you, and people notice.
Respect other people's privacy
Ask before using photos that include friends, and avoid photos with children who aren't yours.
Not sure which photos work?
Ask two trusted friends to pick their top three, or score each photo on presentation factors only: clear face, good light, current, shows your life. Our Photo Selection Worksheet and Photo Order Planner turn this into a 20-minute exercise. Better photos help you come across more clearly. They don't guarantee any particular result, and they shouldn't have to.