Having a professional photo on LinkedIn is key to making a great first impression and standing out from the crowd. With over 722 million members on LinkedIn, it’s important that your profile picture allows you to put your best face forward. But do you really need to hire a professional photographer, or can you take an acceptable headshot yourself? Here’s what you need to know about getting the right LinkedIn profile photo.
The Importance of Your LinkedIn Profile Picture
Your profile photo is one of the first things people will notice when visiting your LinkedIn page. It serves as a visual representation of your personal brand and sets the tone for the rest of your profile. According to research from LinkedIn, profiles with photos get up to 21 times more profile views than those without. So having an eye-catching, professional-looking headshot is critical for making a strong first impression.
In addition to attracting more views, a quality headshot inspires confidence in your abilities and expertise. Profiles with unattractive or sloppy photos can undermine perceptions of your credibility and professionalism. On the other hand, a polished, flattering photo demonstrates that you are detail-oriented and care about putting your best foot forward.
A strong photo also makes it easier for others to remember you after viewing your profile or meeting you in person. Recruiters and potential employers are more likely to recall engaged, friendly-looking headshots than bland, generic ones when considering candidates.
Overall, a professional-grade headshot maximizes your chances of being noticed, remembered, and contacted by valuable connections on LinkedIn.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Photographer
Given the importance of your LinkedIn photo, hiring a professional photographer is the best way to get magazine-quality results. Here are some of the benefits of using a pro:
- High-quality equipment – Professional photographers use high-end DSLR cameras and lighting gear to produce crisp, vivid, flawless photos.
- Technical expertise – Photographers understand how to set up shots, adjust camera settings, position lighting, and edit photos to optimal effect.
- Artistic eye – Experienced photographers know how to pose subjects and compose shots in the most flattering, visually appealing ways.
- Retouching services – Many photographers offer retouching as part of their service package to perfect images and address flaws.
- Variety – You’ll have multiple outfit changes and locations to choose from to find the right look for your brand.
- Guidance – Photographers provide direction on posing, expressions, angles, clothing, and other factors you may not think of.
- Convenience – You can have a custom photoshoot tailored to your needs without having to self-direct or rely on friends/family.
In short, professional photographers have the skills, technology, and experience to consistently produce top-notch headshots. Their work will be leaps and bounds better than amateur selfies or pictures taken by a non-photographer. LinkedIn research indicates that business photographs increase credibility, so a pro photographer is worth the investment.
What to Look for in a Professional Photographer
Not all professional photographers are created equal. When researching photographers for your LinkedIn photo, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Relevant specialization – Look for a photographer who lists headshots, business portraits, or LinkedIn photos as a specialty. Their portfolio should showcase stellar examples.
- Style – Find a photographer whose overall style and editing aesthetics match the image you want to project.
- Personality – Choose a photographer you vibe with and who makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera.
- Reviews – Read reviews to confirm photographers deliver quality results and experiences consistently.
- Availability – Find someone available for your photoshoot timeline with reasonably responsive communication.
- Budget – Stick to photographers within your budget constraints. Expect to invest $200-$500 for high-end headshots.
Schedule initial consultations with a few top candidates to get a feel for who best fits your needs and preferences. Be sure to communicate your vision for the photos, preferred image style, and intended uses so the photographer can tailor the session accordingly.
How to Take a Professional Photo Yourself
Hiring a pro photographer is the gold standard, but you can potentially save money by taking your own quality headshot if you follow some key tips:
Use an actual camera
Smartphone cameras may seem convenient, but it’s best to use an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera if you have one. The larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, and manual controls result in far superior image quality over phone cameras.
Get the right lens
A fast prime lens in the 85-100mm range works best for flattering headshot framing on full frame cameras. Go for a 35-50mm prime lens on cropped sensor cameras. The wide aperture gives you that blurred, effortless background.
Perfect the lighting
Diffused natural light near a large window creates beautiful, soft illumination. Turn your body at a 45 degree angle to the window to avoid harsh shadows. Reflectors can fill in shadow areas and reflectors reduce contrast.
Choose a plain background
Opt for a solid neutral or muted color wall as your background to avoid distracting elements. Having some space between you and the wall creates depth.
Get the angle right
Position the camera around eye level and have it face slightly downward towards you. Keep your chin down and eyes looking up for the most flattering perspective.
Focus on the eyes
Use your camera’s AF features or manual focus to ensure your eyes are pin-sharp. Having eyes in focus draws the viewer in and keeps their attention.
Perfect your posing
Keep your shoulders back, neck long, and lean your body slightly forward from the waist for great posture. Position your body at a slight angle rather than straight on. Relax your hands or put one hand gently under your chin. Give a natural, closed-mouth smile.
Take lots of shots
Digital photos are free, so snap dozens if not hundreds of photos while adjusting your posing and expressions. More images means more to choose from later.
Nail your editing
Use photo editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop to fine-tune cropping, color, tone, and other elements. But don’t overdo it – keep edits looking natural.
Doing your own LinkedIn headshots takes practice but can yield professional-grade results. Invest time learning skills like lighting, posing, and editing for best outcomes.
Should You Include a Background in Your Photo?
LinkedIn profile pictures focus tightly on head and shoulder shots. But having some background visible can add visual interest and convey more about your personality and work environment. Here are some pros and cons of including some background:
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Here are some tips if you do opt for some background:
- Choose a clean, uncluttered area
- Use solid colored walls or tasteful backdrops
- Add some office elements like shelves, plants or equipment
- Make sure area is well-lit
- Position yourself with enough separation from background
You still want the emphasis to be on your face, so make sure any background elements are subtle. But thoughtfully incorporating some environment can personalize your photo.
Should You Smile or Look Serious?
Should you smile or keep a serious expression for your LinkedIn photo? There are benefits to both approaches:
Smiling
- Looks friendly, approachable and reassuring
- Conveys positivity, confidence and enthusiasm
- Invites viewers to connect and learn more
- Aligned with a personal brand of being engaging and collaborative
Serious
- Projects professionalism and competence
- Allows you to exhibit gravitas and depth
- Prevents the picture from looking cheesy or overly casual
- Aligned with a more formal, corporate brand
Consider what impression you want to give viewers as well as what looks natural and reflects your authentic personality. You can take some photos smiling modestly and some with a more serious look to see what you prefer.
One approach is to hold a slight smile (without teeth) to appear warm and approachable but with a hint of seriousness. Avoid a wide grin, which can undermine perceptions of gravitas.
How Frequently Should You Update Your Photo?
You don’t want your LinkedIn profile picture to appear stale and outdated. But you also don’t want to change it so often that it’s confusing. Here are some guidelines on photo update frequency:
- Update every 2-3 years – This gives your photo a fresh look while still maintaining consistency.
- When changing roles/companies – A new position is a natural time for a new photo.
- After major life events – Milestones like marriages or having a baby merit a new photo.
- If your appearance changes – Significant changes in hair style, facial hair or weight call for a new photo.
Avoid updating too frequently (like monthly), as this can come across as vain or high-maintenance. But you want your photo to accurately reflect what you look like currently.
Monitor profile views and connections. If you notice a drop-off, it may be time for a refreshed photo. Stay on top of keeping your photo looking current every few years.
Tips for Taking Your Own LinkedIn Photo
Here are some handy tips for taking a professional-quality photo yourself:
Get ready
- Shower, shave, style your hair, and apply light makeup if desired
- Dress professionally – avoid loud patterns or distracting accessories
- Clean the camera lens and check for ideal settings
- Set up your shot area with ideal lighting and background
Taking the photo
- Use a tripod and self-timer to prevent blur
- Take lots of shots with slightly different poses and expressions
- Make sure your eyes and face are fully in focus
- Check each photo and retake if needed – don’t settle for just one!
Editing and submitting
- Review photos on a large screen and pick your top choices
- Edit in software like Photoshop to perfect cropping, color, exposure
- Ask a friend’s opinion of your final picks
- Upload your final selection and update your LinkedIn profile pic
Investing effort into your photo will ensure you put your best foot forward on LinkedIn.
Common LinkedIn Photo Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to make mistakes with your LinkedIn profile picture that create a poor impression. Here are some common photo faux pas to avoid:
- Pixelated, blurry and low-quality images
- Outdated hairstyle, clothing or background
- Distracting expressions like staring or exaggerated smiling
- Appearing disheveled, tired or unkempt
- Wearing revealing, casual or party clothing
- Odd poses like face covered or camera too close
- Looking away from camera lens
- Harsh shadows or uneven lighting
- Cluttered or inappropriate background
- Red eyes from camera flash
Take a close look at your existing or proposed photo for any of these issues. The impact of a poor profile picture undermines your professional brand and credibility.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile picture is your most valuable visual asset for making a great impression. Investing in a professional photoshoot or taking great care with DIY headshots pays big dividends.
Strive to project an image that is flattering, high-quality, and consistent with your professional brand. Periodically update your photo to keep it looking fresh and current.
With a stellar profile picture, you can attract valuable connections and opportunities through LinkedIn. So putting in the effort to properly showcase yourself visually is well worth it!