Did you know that how you crop a photo can make you look shorter, aggressive, untrustworthy, or even creepy?

The same photo cropped different ways will score differently on Photofeeler. In fact, it’s common to see a picture score badly just because of how it’s cropped.

Here’s some examples of photo cropping mistakes that we frequently see on our site.

1. Space above the head makes you look shorter

Showing space above the head gives the illusion of shortness. That’s because it creates a vantage point as if the viewer is standing across from you and looking at the space above your head.

My recommendation is to crop just above the head. Don’t cut off part of the head (as many people find this annoying), just crop directly above it.

2. Space on the sides diminishes your importance

Having a lot of empty background in a photo — either to your left or right or both — makes you seem less important than when you take up the majority of the frame.

Empty space diminishes you by making you appear physically smaller and backhandedly suggesting that you’re not deserving of the whole frame on your own.

3. Too close up on the face feels overly intimate

Close up photos (those that show the face/head but do not expand to the shoulder) give a feeling of closeness and intimacy, in that the viewer feels like they are right up close to you.

Theoretically, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, people who don’t already know you who are viewing your photo on LinkedIn or a dating site may subconsciously experience “stranger danger.” The sensation of being up close and personal with someone is great so as long as they are familiar. That same experience with a stranger feels off-putting, creepy, or even threatening.

To avoid coming off this way, show a mimimum of head and shoulders to create the feeling of a safe distance.

4. Cropping out part of the face makes you seem sneaky

When a person decides to crop off half their face, chances are they’re just being arty, not trying to hide a swastika tattoo on their right cheek. Still, there’s something about that crop that subconsciously prompts viewers’ suspicions.

We recommend not taking the artistic route for professional or dating profile photos. For networks like Facebook, however — where most of your friends are people who’ve seen your right cheek before — then you’re probably safe.

Know for certain how you’re coming across in pictures with Photofeeler. It’s free to use here. 🙌