10 Tips for Choosing the Best Instagram Profile Picture

You want your followers to quickly recognize your profile picture, so you shouldn’t change it too often. When choosing the photo, avoid anything seasonal that might not make sense once a season or holiday is over. This way, your followers will become familiar with your profile photo, which will make it easier for them to find your stories and posts on their grids. And, as a bonus, you won’t have to deal with the stress of changing your photo!

Your profile photo should match the vibe of your grid, so consider this when making your selection. If your grid is light and airy, your profile photo should look the same. And if your grid is dark and moody, you’ll want to consider those vibes for your profile pic as well. This way, new followers will know what to expect from the profile picture alone!

There is way more to a photo than just the subject, so you’ll want to make sure you’re considering what’s in the background. Does the background also reflect your brand? If not, there are plenty of editing apps you can use to change your background to something more effective. You’ll want to make sure it isn’t too busy, so the subject still shines. This might be a solid color, a stock background, or a pattern that compliments your shot. Either way, make sure you look past the foreground!

Does your brand, personal or professional, have props of any kind? Are you a florist, a musician, or a painter? If so, don’t be afraid to include that in the shot! A glimpse of a prop in your profile photo will catch the eye of new followers before they even make it to your page, and it will increase your chances of attracting a like-minded Instagram community. Besides, you’re bound to look more natural and confident doing what you love!

First, you need to evaluate the function of your Instagram page and decide whether your profile shot should be personal or professional. This might be the difference between a headshot versus a brand logo, so it’s important to really consider how you want to use your page, as well as which photo would best reach followers and promote your content.

Anyone who’s used Instagram knows that getting the perfect size photo can be tricky, especially for the circular profile pic. When choosing a photo, it is critical to pick one that you are able to fit into the circle in a way that looks clean, clear, and professional. You’ll want to avoid too much background or body if you’re going with a solo shot, and you’ll want to avoid too much negative space or crowding if you’re going with a brand logo. It might be a tough balance to strike, but sizing and cropping are key, so take your time making it work.

If possible, try to use a professional shot. Sometimes it might be tricky to get access to a professional photographer, but it is well worth the splurge if you have the chance. Professional photos are not only more aesthetically appealing than the alternate, but they communicate to followers that you are serious about your Instagram presence and you value professionalism in your brand. And if you don’t have access to a professional photographer, consider using apps or other online resources to edit your own photos to elevate their quality.

Your profile picture is a great place to show a little bit of who you are! Don’t be afraid to showcase your personality or your brand’s personality in this shot. New followers will be looking to see what separates you from the crowd, so this is an excellent opportunity to make your mark. If it makes sense for you or your brand, make your profile a little warm, a little silly, or a little unique in some way that will attract attention and show followers who you are.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to do something eye-catching, choosing a profile picture that plays with colors is a great idea. Perhaps you want to use a high contrast shot to draw attention to the subject, or perhaps you want to use a background that highlights the main colors of your brand, or perhaps you want to use bright colors to draw attention to your page. In any case, don’t overlook this bit when choosing the perfect picture for your profile. If the colors enhance the photo and match the mood of your page, it’s hard to go wrong.

Since Instagram is a photo app, that means a high-quality profile picture is extremely important. That doesn’t mean, however, that the rest of your social media photos can fall by the wayside. Try to choose an Instagram profile picture that you can use across other apps (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), so your social media branding is consistent. That way, followers can easily find you on other apps, and it sends a message that you or your brand is reliable and professional.

Now that you’ve selected your perfect profile photo, it’s time to start thinking about all the creative and fun stories you can make with your new eye-catching profile picture! Here are some of our favorite Instagram Story ideas to help get you started today.