Does anyone have any photography tips, as far as profile pictures?

Have at least 2 light sources and avoid direct camera flashes. Indoors find an overhead light slightly behind you, stand next to a window with a sheer to filter direct light that is off to the side in front of you for a nice side light and bounce flash your flash if you can. If you can’t bounce your flash I find a single sheet of toilet paper moistened and layered over the flash helps to soften the flash which can help produce some nice even and soft edges to your shot.

Outside standing with your back to the sun and a flash makes nice shots or again angle the sun to your side with a flash will create nice photos. If you stand next to a wall opposite the direction of the sun you can use that to reflect the sunlight to the other side for almost professional looking shots.

OKCupid does these occasional guides called OKTrends, which can be interesting to read although they are basically advertisements for using their site. Here is one they wrote about profile pictures and how responsive people are to different kinds. I know this isn’t technical advice at all, but it might be helpful as far as posing, composition, etc.

Edit: upon further investigation, this isn’t really what you’re probably looking for. I was thinking of a different article I read somewhere… darn. Sorry about that.

Try to have a plain back ground, rather than any kind of clutter. You don’t want people or objects in the background that will compete with your face or make you look like you’re wearing a halo or a dog or a tree on your head. The ocean, a wall, the side of a barn, a grassy hillside or even a sheet or a blanket draped over a clothes line will work as a backdrop (in addition to having someone set up a more professional screen-style backdrop. Here are a few examples. This or This Guy or This Lady

Natural light is best, but if you have to use artificial light, try to get someone who has real photo lights.

Although it can look very dramatic or provacative to stare directly into the camera lens, it’s usually nicer to have the subject (you) looking over at something just beyond the camera, or even purposely looking over to the side. Kind of like this You also might like a super close up picture of your face, in which some of your face is actually cut off like this

Or if you want to look a little bit flirty, you can position yourself looking back over your shoulder like this

Or if you want to look like you’re fun and adventurous, then have someone take a nice action photo of you, but make sure it’s a closeup with something in your arms or on your head (like a hat) or with your hair blowing in the wind. I like this picture

Or if you want to look a little mysterious, then you can hide part of your face like This Lady

If you like dramatic images, then try turning a regular portrait picture into a high contrast black and white photo like this or This Guy This last photo works really well, because most of one half of his face is almost completely in the dark.

If you have a great profile, show it off like This or Barbra

If you want to look fun and carefree, have someone get you laughing (for real) and then snap a bunch of pictures until you get one that you like, like This lady It’s especially nice, because she’s throwing her head back and LOLing!

And you can always get some professional looking dramatic makeup (especially if you don’t normally wear a lot) and then give a cool sultry look like This lady and use a prop if you want like a flower, or a glass of champagne.

Good luck and please let us see your results!

What @Cruiser said. I’ve been using nikon d5000 for quite a while now. It’s all about the lighting. And I don’t think I need to explain more than @Cruiser and @Kardamom did!
I haven’t been into taking photos lately but feel free to check out my deviantart – Deviantart

Wow! @Tbag I really love your photos. I think we have a common sensibility. I especially loved the one called “Heavy Rain”!

@Kardamom Thank you kindly. :D

@Tbag You are so welcome : )