Quick Tip – Selfies Mess Up Your Face

Don’t use them for your profile photos – Issue #35

The internet is awash with selfies. They really took off in 2005 on MySpace (remember that?). According to Google, about 93M selfies were taken per day as far back as 2014, and on Android devices alone. Now, the selfie dominates SnapChat and Instagram.

Modern smartphone cameras continue to make it even easier to take a photo of yourself. Heck, Apple just made the “slofie” a thing with the new iPhone 11. So, it’s no wonder that so many people are using a selfie as their profile photos on social media, LinkedIn, etc. It’s quick, free, and easy.

However, there is one big problem with that. Selfies distort your facial features. See this video.

“Selfies make our noses look 30 percent larger than they really are, plastic surgeons warn.” — Vox

The camera lens is way too close to your face, even at arm’s length. This makes your nose, chin, and forehead appear larger than they are. It also makes your other features recede and distort.

If you want to take a photo of your face as it actually looks — which you should for your profile photos — then you need to take that photo from farther away than your arm can reach.

For example, prop up your phone, set the camera timer, and take a few steps back in order to get a much better portrait photo of yourself. Make sure the lighting is good and the background is suitable.

Even better, ask a friend to take some pictures of you while you’re out together. The best photos are usually taken in natural lighting and with someone who makes you smile and laugh.

Better yet, hire a great photographer to have some photos and headshots taken that you can use for years (e.g., on LinkedIn, your website, for your speaking events). It’s a worthwhile investment for any professional.