Getting a great profile photo for your Connect profile

First impressions matter, and your profile photo is your first opportunity to establish a personal connection with your patients. In fact, your photo is the first thing someone will see when searching the referral service on PlasticSurgery.org – before they see your credentials, your previous work or even your name. Here are some tips for making the most out of this critical opportunity:

Use a big enough photo

If you're thinking about just copying your profile photo from social media or another website, take care: Often, these sites will automatically reduce photo size to reduce load time. If the photo is smaller than what is displayed on your Connect profile, this could result in a blurry or pixelated photo, like the one on the left, especially when viewed on a high-resolution screen like an Apple Retina display.

To make sure you have a sharp, crisp image across all devices, we recommend that your image be at least 500 pixels high and 375 pixels wide, though you can upload any size image up to 10MB. To see the size of an image stored on your computer, you can right-click and choose Properties (PC) or Control-click and choose Get Info (Mac).

Get some help, even if you DIY

Advances in technology mean you can take great photographs, even with a smartphone – just, not of yourself. Putting your face too close to the camera lens, like the arm's length you would get from a selfie, results in what's known as wide angle lens distortion. This causes the parts of your face in the center of the photo to bulge out in unattractive ways. Fortunately, there's an easy fix: Have someone else take the photo, or use a tripod and set the timer, putting a little distance between you and the camera. This will result in a much more flattering photo.

Keep it simple

With a profile photo, your face is the star of the show. That means minimizing distractions around it. Pick a location with a simple backdrop – this can be indoors or outdoors, but make sure there isn't too much going on behind you. Wear a lab coat, jacket and tie, or other professional-looking attire, but avoid any loud, distracting patterns that would draw attention away from your face.

Make sure the lighting isn't casting harsh shadows or excessive glare off glasses or jewelry. You can use natural light – like sunlight coming through a window – or artificial light to get good results, but try to avoid mixing the two, as they'll show up as different colors in your photo.

Consider going pro

Taking a truly professional-looking photo is often a job best left to the professionals. Just like your patients are counting on you to make them look their best, it's important to choose a photographer who will make you look your best. Find a photographer you can collaborate with to bring out the look you want. Just like you would with a DIY photo, dress the part, get plenty of sleep the night before and stay hydrated so you look your best for the camera.