How to Pick the Right Loan Profile Photo?

The quality of your photo determines how successful you are in fundraising on Kiva. A great photo could mean the difference between a loan that fully funds and one that doesn't!

Your photo is vital. It is the first thing lenders will see, and many lenders will use it to decide whether or not they want to learn more about you. We’ve noticed that loan pages with poor photos fundraise far more slowly than profiles with excellent photos.

In order to fundraise on Kiva, your photo must meet the following criteria:

  • You (the owner) must be in the picture (do not only show a photo of eg. your shop). We will not approve your loan without you in the photo.

  • Your photo must clearly show your business.

  • NO selfies, head shots, logos, or photoshopped images!

  • In addition, horizontal orientation and clear/bright photos tend to be the best.

For more ideas on what "not to do" and "to do", check out our examples below.

 
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Don’ts

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WHY THESE ARE POOR PHOTOS:

  • They do not show the borrower

  • They do not show the borrower's business

  • They are a group photo

  • They are low resolution

  • They use Kiva branding

 Do’s

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WHY THESE ARE GOOD PHOTOS:

  • They have good lighting

  • The people in the pictures are smiling

  • They show the borrowers' businesses