The New Faces of Facebook and Why Your Mug Matters

The picture on your social media accounts looks like something on a Post Office bulletin board.

Diana Lewkowicz, a Falls Church-based photographer, has a solution, and more and more people are taking her up on it.

Lewkowicz has seen a spike in professionals throughout Northern Virginia looking for edgy pictures for their LinkedIn, Facebook and corporate websites.

For $250 and 20 minutes of your time, Lewkowicz has a package that will get you two high-resolution pictures. And if you want 20 or so different shots with your doo done and your face made up, you can spend upwards of $750. She said looking good in your social media pictures and getting professional photos is the new big trend.

“It can be conservative or it can be edgy,” Lewkowicz said in her Falls Church studio. “It speaks loudly of the mindsets of the executives.”

According to a story on Entrepreneur.com, it’s important to use a professional picture on your LinkedIn profile because people will judge you on your looks. According to a story on Mashable.com, LinkedIn reported 49 percent of professionals older than 45 – use the professional social media site to connect with other professionals.

More than three clients come into Lewkowicz’s West Broad Street studio weekly looking for crafty ways to present their physical image online: Crossed arms to show authority, a smile to show a subtle, sensitive side, or a picture in the work environment to show confidence.

They go for it all she said.

“When you purposely put your picture online for professional reasons, it’s important to look good,” she said.

Kiril Katrandzhiyski, a personal insurance agent for Liberty Mutual in Fairfax, went to Lewkowicz in January for an upgrade on his profile picture. His previous picture was so poorly done, and he wanted an image that portrayed who he was. Now, he says, clients and colleagues have asked where he got his profile picture.

“I’ve gotten clients that chose me because of the professionalism in my image,” Katrandzhiyski said.

With more meetings happening online, Lewkowicz said it’s important to look your best at all times in your online presence. She said branding is important for an individual and for corporations alike and professional pictures are a big help.

“It’s really a huge trend,” Lewkowicz said. “Everything is online now so you have to look like the individuals people want to work with.”