Headshots for Social Media Profiles
There are countless social media websites and apps and they usually have different headshot sizing requirements. So, this is a brief overview of some popular ones, keeping in mind this information is current as of this publishing and subject to change without notice. Also, these are just size requirements for specific social media. There are other possible requirements you might have to meet, of which some will be covered after this section:
LinkedIn
LinkedIn, a popular career site and app, recommends a resolution of at least 400×400 pixels and maximum file size of 8 MB. This is a square or 1×1 aspect ratio. They suggest avoiding using small low-resolution images. It is likely that even if you use 800×800 or 2,000×2,000 image that it will be scaled down to somewhere around 400×400. However, keep in mind people can click on your thumbnail for a larger view of your headshot.
Facebook
Facebook’s profile picture size is 170×170, but it too can be clicked on for a larger version. So, be sure to try and load the maximum size that you have.
Instagram
Instagram’s profile picture size is 320×320. Currently, it does not seem you can click the photo for a larger view, even on a desktop.
Twitter
The Twitter profile picture is 400×400 pixels with a maximum files size of 2MB. You can click on a profile to view a slightly larger version of it.
Headshots for a New Website
A common milestone calling for new professional headshots is a new website or website redesign, whether for an entrepreneur or corporate team. You might be working with a web designer that is going to post your headshots to a specific web page. First, be sure your web designer does not just post tiny thumbnails. If you are investing in professional headshots, they should be showcased as such and not wasted by your designer converting them to small JPEG files. If space is a premium on the page, consider allowing people to click the photo for a larger version of it.
Your professional headshot is part of the branding. So, minimizing it is not ideal. That said, ask your web designer for specific crop sizes they want. Common crop factors are: 1 to 1, 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, and 5 to 7. Think of these as the relative size of on side, say 5 inches, to the other, 7 inches.
One more point on aspect ratio. You might want to use a hero image of yourself on the home page or your about page. This is an image that usually spans across the entire width of a web page when viewed on a desktop screen. This might be a ratio of 16 to 9, for example. If you are going for this type of shot, be sure it is planned for in advance with your photographer as there are probably different background considerations to consider during the headshot session.
Also ask your designer what their preferred file format is. Common requested formats may include JPEG, PNG, or TIF. But there are other possible. You might want to consider background colors in advance for a headshot in case there is an opportunity or desire for the background to match your brand’s color scheme.
Author Headshot or Musician Headshot
If you are an author of a book, the publisher is likely to have specific sizing and quality requirements. Before meeting up with your headshot photographer, be sure to get these details from your publisher.
At a minimum, ask them what file format is preferred and the dimensions they want (a pixel by pixel, inch by inch count, or crop factor). You may also ask them if there is a preferred background as this may help in better branding the book. For example, if the cover is to do with a nature scene, perhaps your headshot should be shot outdoors.
For musicians, if you are using an artistic headshot of yourself as part of the album art cover, be sure to get album art cover requirements. You will usually want to go with 3,000 x 3,000. But the resolution will need to be 300 dpi if you are printing the art for a physical CD, whereas 72 dpi is usually good enough for screen resolutions.