Whether you’re looking for child care jobs as a way to make some extra cash, or if you consider it your full-time career, having a professional profile photo is important to landing the jobs that are best for you.
From the Family Perspective
Imagine yourself as a parent who might be looking for someone to help take care of their child for the first time. You’re probably a little nervous and want to make sure that you feel confident about the person that you choose. You’ve posted what you need in a job and have some applications to review. Part of starting to get to know these sitters is putting a face to the name and application. Seeing a face as you read their carefully crafted words makes you feel more connected to that person. It’s a humanity thing.
From the Industry Perspective
Being a child care provider, whether as a part-time babysitter or full-time nanny, is an immensely important job. You’re providing families with the help to manage their careers, have quality time as a family, and create space for exclusive adults-only time—all while being responsible and caring for their loved ones. Your job gives them the freedom to do more of what they love.
However, child care isn’t always viewed as an esteemed profession in our society. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do something about it! There are ways that, together, we can elevate the child care profession. One of the simplest ways is by having a professional photo on your sitter profile. It immediately communicates to families the sincerity you have for your work. Not only that, but the more that sitters approach their profiles with professionalism, the more that the child care profession is taken seriously. And that’s something that we all want.
How to Take a Professional Photo
So what makes a great photo? We’ve put together a list of things to consider when you’re uploading a photo to your Sittercity Profile. All of these things factor into getting your photo approved on Sittercity, but are also just great professional practices anyway!
Good Lighting
One of the fundamental elements of a great photo is the lighting. When you get this right, it helps everything else fall into place.
Natural Light Helps
If you can have natural light (like from the sun) illuminate your face, it will help to capture your best qualities. Just beware of direct sun—that just makes you squint.
No Backlight
If there’s a bright light behind you, it will make your face contrast with everything else in the room. All you’ll see is a shadowy silhouette.
Show Your Face
This may seem like an obvious one, but sometimes going for style can takeover the functional use of the photo.
Chin to Forehead
Make sure that at least the space between your chin and your forehead is visible.
Avoid Hats or Sunglasses
Hats and sunglasses can cover up parts of your face, and therefore make you unrecognizable.
Close Up
If you’re too far away or more in the background of the photo, your face won’t be seen at all. Ideally, your face should take up at least ⅓ of the photo.
Just You
Only you should be in the photo—no one else.
Don’t Leave Them Guessing
If you have another person or multiple people in the shot with you, families won’t actually know which face is yours.
Respect Other Families
While it might be clever to have a baby with you to showcase your connection to children, it’s best to respect the privacy of that child and their family. They may not want their photos posted on the internet.
Professionalism
Your body language and apparent activities in a photo can paint a picture. Make sure that the picture doesn’t highlight behavior or language that isn’t appropriate for a professional opportunity.
No Cartoonish Filters
Apps that can turn our faces into animals or alter them in an interesting way are fun to play with. However, like hats and sunglasses, they don’t allow families to connect with your real face. Not to mention, they also detract from the professionalism of your profile.
No Advertising
Profile photos are meant to showcase you and you alone. We appreciate that you may run or be involved with various businesses—that’s great! However, having those brands steal your spotlight isn’t what your profile photo is for.
Protect Your Privacy
For your own safety, don’t include any sensitive information within your photo. This includes your driver’s license, passport, government-issued ID, phone numbers, or home addresses.
Your success in finding the right child care job matters to us. Building trust is an important key to making the right connections with families. Put your best foot (or face) forward with a professional photo that helps you stand out.
