Capturing the perfect profile photos is crucial for creating a professional and appealing trainer profile. Whether you’re a personal trainer or wellness coach or specialize in areas like nutrition or chronic condition management, your photos can significantly impact how potential clients perceive you.
Here’s what you need to know about image requirements and how to take striking photos with your smartphone to ensure your profile stands out.
Want to know more about managing your media library? Check out this article.
Mandatory Photo Guidelines
Because imagery is so important to make your business and services stand out, we've made the following images required at a minimum:
Main Banner (1920px width recommended)
Profile Image (1024 x 1024px recommended)
Mid Banner (1920px width recommended)
2 General Images (1024 x 1024px recommended)
If you need help resizing photos, there are many free tools like Canva, or you can email us for assistance at marketplace@everfit.io.
Planning Your Photoshoot
1. Define Your Shots:
Organizing your shoot will seem less intimidating if you plan the type of shots you want. We suggest looking at top fitness content creators, publications, or advertising for ideas. There's also a list below to get your creative juices flowing. Get the must-haves plus 4-6 more shots you're proud of, and you'll be golden.
Shot Type | Description | Purpose | Examples |
Profile Portrait (must-have) | A high-quality, well-lit headshot or upper body shot. | For your profile avatar. Give a face to your name, build trust, and create a personal connection with potential clients. | 
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Action Shot (should-have) | You demonstrate an exercise or workout routine. | To showcase your expertise, energy, and teaching style in action. | 
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Specialty Focus (should-have) | A shot that highlights your specific niche or specialty (e.g., posture improvement, nutrition, yoga poses, weightlifting, high-intensity interval training). | Emphasizing your unique skills and attracting clients interested in that particular type of training. | 
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Relaxed/Casual (must-have) | You, in a relaxed, casual setting, a shot that tells a personal story or demonstrates your coaching philosophy.
Are you funny? Get a shot of you laughing. Extrovert? Get a shot of you smiling and talking to clients before or after a sesh. | To give a glimpse of your personality outside of training, making you more relatable. |   |
Full-body | A high-quality full-body shot against a plain background that can be easily removed. | It can be used in banner imagery. Remember the rule of thirds and place yourself creatively in the center or off to one side. | 
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Training Environment | In your training environment, whether it’s a gym, outdoors, or a home studio. | To give potential clients a sense of where they will be training and the atmosphere they can expect. | 
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Equipment Usage | You demonstrate some of the equipment central to your training programs. | To demonstrate your expertise with different tools and how you incorporate them into workouts. | 
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Motivational Moment | A candid shot of you in a motivating pose or activity, preferably against a plain background. | To capture your enthusiasm, energy, and motivational skills. Great for using alongside text in a banner. |  |
“Crushed It” | A "victory shot" of yourself, apparently finished with the last rep on a tough set (e.g., breathing hard, hands on knees, etc). | To provide the image of you as an accomplished athlete. | 
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Behind the Scenes | You are preparing for a session, setting up equipment, or planning a workout. This could be over the shoulder to the web app, a video call, tracking progress, etc. | To show the dedication and effort that goes into your training sessions. | 
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Recovery or Mindfulness/Meditation | You are in a stretching pose, appearing to be done with the workout or meditating. | To emphasize your focus on holistic fitness and injury prevention. |
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Educational Moment | You explain a concept on a whiteboard or using visual aids. | To showcase your knowledge and ability to educate clients on fitness principles. | 
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Outdoor Moment | You go hiking, running, cycling. Playing sports outdoors. | To showcase your adventurous spirit or your love of the outdoors. | 
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Equipment Close-up | Close-up shot of equipment you frequently use (e.g., row of kettlebells, TRX, etc). | To provide detailed visuals of the tools involved in training sessions.
Consider using portrait mode. |
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Client Interaction | Yourself in any number of poses with an actual client (training, teaching, high-five, etc). | Show your personality and the way you interact with your clients. |
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Lifestyle Shot | A shot that shows a window into your life or specialty (e.g., cooking, reading scientific papers, playing with the kids, or preparing a sleep-friendly environment). | Focus on your specialties and show your expertise in a natural setting. |
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2. Reflect your specialty and personality:
Personality and connection are everything, so think about the personality you want to portray and think of creative ways to make that come across in your shots. This could be with clothing, facial expressions, settings, props, or more.
3. Don't forget the package shots:
You'll want a great shot to visually represent each package you plan to offer. While you can sometimes use stock imagery for these, having your custom shots ensures no other profiles look like yours!
Setting the Scene
Location: Choose a clean, uncluttered space that reflects your professional environment. Natural settings work well for wellness and outdoor trainers, while gyms and studios are perfect for personal trainers.
Lighting: Utilize natural light whenever possible. The best times are early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer. Avoid harsh midday sun.
Outfit: Wear professional fitness attire that suits your brand and specialty. Ensure your clothing is neat and adds to the professional quality of your shots.
Camera Setup and Shooting Tips
1. Camera Settings:
Set your smartphone to its highest resolution within acceptable file limits. Avoid going over 5MB in file size.
Use the back camera for the best photos.
Accepted file types include PNG, JPG, and JPEG.
2. Composition:
Use the rule of thirds to position yourself interestingly within the frame.
Ensure the background is not distracting and complements the focus on you.
3. Stability:
Use a tripod or a stable surface to avoid blurry images.
Enhancing Your Photos
Editing: Use free editing tools available on most smartphones. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation to enhance your photos without overdoing it.
Filters: Apply minimal filters to keep the photo looking natural and professional.
Engaging a Local Photographer
While smartphone photos can be highly effective, sometimes you might prefer the touch of a professional. Here’s how to find and engage a local photographer affordably:
1. Local Art Schools or Photography Clubs: Reach out to local art schools or photography clubs where amateurs or students may be willing to work at a reduced rate to build their portfolios.
2. Social Networks: Post on your social media platforms or community boards that you’re looking for a photographer. Often, friends or family members will know someone eager to expand their experience.
3. Barter Services: Consider bartering services where you offer personal training sessions in exchange for a photo shoot. This can be a great way to collaborate without the exchange of money.
4. Local Listings and Forums: Websites like Craigslist, Nextdoor, or local Facebook groups can be valuable resources for budding photographers looking for opportunities to practice their craft.
5. Review and Contract: Always review the photographer’s previous work to ensure their style matches your vision. Discuss expectations clearly, ensure you’ll receive edited photos, and confirm details like the duration of the shoot and the number of images in a written agreement.
Final Thoughts
Your profile photos are your first opportunity to make a strong impression. They should convey professionalism, approachability, and a clear sense of your coaching style and specialty. Whether you opt for DIY smartphone photography or a professional shoot, taking the time to produce quality images will greatly enhance your profile’s effectiveness.