What Makes a Good Profile Photo?

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You’ve written your profile and given patients insight into your background and expertise. Now, it’s time to add a profile photo. The right photo enhances your profile and helps patients feel confident they’re in the best hands.

Why upload a photo?

You might be wondering why a profile photo matters or what relevance it has to your work. Here’s the thing, patients really appreciate seeing a picture of their Anaesthetist. It makes you instantly more familiar, which helps build that all-important rapport.

Patients feel much more comfortable when they see a familiar face, or at least one they recognise. Operation day is often a scary time for them, and every little bit of reassurance helps.

Anaesthetists are sometimes called the ‘hidden’ doctor. Patients need you, but thanks to your excellent work, they often forget they ever met you… until they receive your bill! A photo helps put a face to your name and is crucial for building patient rapport.

Wouldn’t it be great to walk into the room and have the patient recognise you, instantly feeling calmer? Many Anaesthetists tell us that patients greet them as soon as they walk in because they recognise them from their Anaesthetic Group profile page.

Tips for taking a great profile photo:

Here are some top tips for taking the ideal photo:

  • Smile. The best photos are ones in which you appear happy, but professional
  • Take a photo of your head and torso only. Don’t include pets, friends, or family
  • Face the light. The source of light should be in front of you, behind the camera
  • Use a simple background that doesn’t detract from your headshot (e.g wall, picture, blinds or a blurred background)
  • Photos in a portrait orientation work best for profiles (e.g 200px pixels wide by 300px tall)
  • Stand up (or at least sit up)
  • Front on or with a slight angle
  • Wear simple clothing or even hospital scrubs, so patients will recognise you on the day!

Examples:

anaesthetist doctor profile picture example
anaesthetist doctor profile picture example
anaesthetist doctor profile picture example

Do I need a professional photo?

Professional headshots are great however if you don’t have a professional photo, you can always take a profile photo using your phone.

Taking a photo on your phone:

  • The most important thing is to keep the phone still when taking the shot
  • Try standing against a wall (plus use tips above) and have a friend place the phone on a tall stable surface (so they don’t need to hold it but it’s at your head height) or if taking it yourself, stay as still as you can
  • The phone should have the focus point on you (most phones you can touch to focus it)
  • Camera phone photos work best on bright days (not at night or when too cloudy)
  • Adjust your stance and smile slightly and click away.  If you take 40 shots you can usually be guaranteed there will be one excellent one

My photo is bigger / smaller / needs cropping. Can you help?

Yes. Simply send us your photo, and we’ll edit it to size, ready to be uploaded.

How do I change my photo?

Once your photo has been submitted and uploaded, remember that you can change it at any time. We offer a full service, and can make any photo amendments you like, at any time. So, if you’ve changed your hairstyle, or had a nice new professional photo taken, just get in touch.