How to Choose the Right Images for Social Media: Style, Purpose & Perfect Dimensions

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Social Media image with all of the platforms

Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or personal brand, your imagery on social media defines you, often before anyone reads a word. Choosing the right photo is more than picking something “nice.” It’s about understanding your purpose, aligning with your brand style, and getting the technical specs spot-on so everything looks professional and polished.

In this post, I'll break down:

  • How to choose the right image style for your purpose

  • Tips on consistent branding across platforms

  • Why working with a professional photographer helps

  • Up-to-date image dimensions for major platforms

1. Know Your Purpose

Before uploading an image, ask yourself:

  • What do I want this image to say?

  • What action do I want someone to take after seeing it?

Examples:

  • A LinkedIn profile photo should communicate professionalism and approachability.

  • A Facebook banner might show a broader story—your team, workspace, or latest product.

  • An Instagram story is great for behind-the-scenes or timely updates.

  • A LinkedIn post image should be content-driven: educational, engaging, or inspiring.

2. Define Your Visual Style

Consistency is key. Whether it’s a warm, natural look or bold and graphic, your images should feel like they come from the same visual family. Consider:

  • Colour palette: Muted vs vibrant? Cool or warm tones?

  • Lighting: Natural light for authenticity, studio lighting for polish

  • Composition: Clean and minimal or full of energy and texture?

  • Mood: Are you aiming for high-end, friendly, adventurous, edgy?

A style guide—even a simple mood board—can help keep things cohesive.

3. Work with Intention: The Role of a Professional Photographer

A professional photographer will shoot with all of this in mind—style, purpose, and final use. For example:

  • They may frame the subject to one-third of the image to leave space for text overlays or calls-to-action.

  • They’ll leave extra headroom or negative space so your image works well across multiple platforms and crops.

  • They’ll shoot with layout and adaptability in mind, giving you flexibility.

When you receive a gallery of images from which to make your final selections, it’s helpful to keep a list of image uses beside you (LinkedIn banner, Instagram post, newsletter header, etc.). That way, you’re not just choosing your favourite photo—you’re choosing the right image for the right space.

If you know you’ll need specific sizes (for banners, stories, etc.), ask your photographer to provide versions cropped to those dimensions directly from the original raw files. This ensures the highest quality outcome. Resizing from a JPEG repeatedly can degrade the file each time, eventually resulting in poor image quality—something you definitely want to avoid when making a strong visual impression.

4. Use the Right Image Dimensions


Uploading the wrong size can make your image look unprofessional: pixelated, cropped awkwardly, or poorly framed. Here’s a quick guide to current social media image sizes (as of mid-2025):

🔵 Facebook

  • Profile Photo
     Size: 180 x 180 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (circle crop)

  • Cover Photo (Banner)
     Size: 820 x 312 px (desktop) / 640 x 360 px (mobile)
     Aspect Ratio: 2.63:1 (desktop) / 16:9 (mobile)
     Tip: Centre text/logo to avoid mobile cropping.

  • Stories
     Size: 1080 x 1920 px
     Aspect Ratio: 9:16

  • Post Image (Shared Link)
     Size: 1200 x 630 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1

  • Square Post
     Size: 1080 x 1080 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1:1

📸 Instagram

  • Profile Photo
     Size: 320 x 320 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (circle crop)

  • Square Post
     Size: 1080 x 1080 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1:1

  • Portrait Post
     Size: 1080 x 1350 px
     Aspect Ratio: 4:5

  • Landscape Post
     Size: 1080 x 566 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1

  • Stories / Reels
     Size: 1080 x 1920 px
     Aspect Ratio: 9:16

đź’Ľ LinkedIn

  • Profile Photo
     Size: 400 x 400 px
     Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (circle crop)

  • Personal Banner
     Size: 1584 x 396 px
     Aspect Ratio: 4:1

  • Company Page Banner
     Size: 1128 x 191 px
     Aspect Ratio: 5.9:1

  • Post Images

    • Square: 1080 x 1080 px → 1:1

    • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px → 4:5

    • Landscape: 1200 x 627 px → 1.91:1


✍️ Blog / Website (e.g. Blogger, WordPress

  • Header Banner
     Size: 1200+ px wide (height varies by template)
     Common Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 3:1, or 21:9

  • Inline Images
     Size: 800–1200 px wide
     Aspect Ratio: Flexible (depends on layout)

⭐Thumbnails
      Size: ~300 x 300 px
 Aspect Ratio: 1:1

5. Tips for Choosing Photos That Perform

  • Faces attract attention, especially on LinkedIn and Instagram.

  • Whitespace is powerful; give your text or message room to breathe.

  • Test different crops, a great horizontal image works vertically for stories or blog headers.

  • Avoid text overload, especially in profile banners; keep it clean and legible.

  • Optimise for mobile, most users will see your content on their phone.

Final Thoughts

A strong visual identity isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being purposeful. When you choose images that align with your brand, are styled with intention, and are properly sized for their platform, you set yourself apart in a crowded digital world.

Working with a professional photographer ensures your images are created with flexibility and function in mind, making your content creation easier and more effective. And when it’s time to select images from a shoot, stay organised with a checklist of your content needs so every image earns its place.

Make that first impression count.



About the author

Nina Beilby – Professional Photographer

With a degree in professional photography (AAS PP Honors) and over 25 years of experience, Nina Beilby is a highly skilled photographer specializing in corporate and business imagery. Her background in corporate IT and marketing gives her a deep understanding of the visual needs of businesses, from large enterprises to solo entrepreneurs. As a small business owner herself, she knows the power of high-quality imagery in building a strong brand. Based in Sydney, Nina works globally, bringing her expertise in lighting and photography to organisations that value professionalism and impact.



You may contact Nina through her website or phone 0417 022 868

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