Diamondism #313

Five tips to make your social networking photo stand out

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. But it is up to you to decide what you want that lasting impression to be. So that is where we will begin...

What exactly is it that you are trying to convey? How do you want to be perceived? What does your photo say about you? Who is your audience? What is your ultimate objective? Start here, hone in on that, and tailor your photo based on these answers.

Secondly, once you have established your objective, be creative! Give it some thought... Brainstorm some ideas, and don't be afraid to step out of the norm. That is what will capture your target audience. Use different subjects, or wear funky jewelry. Remember, however you are feeling, you will project that to your audience. Don't be vulgar or offensive. Be mindful of your tone.

Third, make sure the lighting is right. And that you are the distance that you want to be from the camera. Don't be too close, and don't be too far. Use a flash, wear makeup (if appropriate), get a manicure and a haircut. Be well-groomed and polish yourself up. Either way, no matter what image you are trying to project, you have to put forth some effort in projecting it. Eliminate the noise in the photo, and don't have a whole bunch of distractions. You don't want to confuse, and ultimately alienate, your audience. Don't crop half your face off. Put your best face, or toe, or whatever your subject is, forward.

Fourth, add a border or some kind of visual effect, like text or black-and-white (b&w). Experiment with the extras that are found in several photo-editing software packages. Have fun! Be honest, and infuse a bit of your personal self. Let your personality shine through. Give a little, or give a lot, it's your choice. If you are not using professional proofs (like from a photo shoot), consider using a digital camera. Or, if you do not have access to a digital camera, and you have to get the film developed, consider having your prints transferred to a CD, so that they are digitized. You will find that the resolution is so much more crisp, and the photo will be easier to enhance and modify (and much less time-consuming than using a scanner!).

And fifth, use a photo retouching service, even if you don't think you need to. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes we don't see our flaws, not necessarily because we are vain, but maybe we think it is something "small," or maybe we think "it's no big deal," because we are so used to seeing ourselves everyday. But we do not always know what the competition is, and we do not always know what perspective our audience is coming from. Or, it could be something in the actual picture itself that needs to be removed or beautified, unbeknownst to us. That one minor thing could make or break you. So why not err on the side of flawless? Have your photo enhanced aesthetically by a professional. It pays to get an honest second opinion, and to have another set of eyes looking at your masterpiece objectively and unbiased. Plus, it shows that you took the time to give the best "you" possible.

Bottom line, your presentation speaks volumes. Make it loud and clear.