Why is having a good LinkedIn profile photo important?
Your LinkedIn profile photo is often the first impression people will have of you on the platform. It’s right there next to your name and headline, so it’s one of the first things people will notice when they view your profile. Having a poor quality or unprofessional photo can negatively impact how people perceive you before they’ve even read your profile. On the other hand, a quality headshot can convey professionalism, approachability, trustworthiness and other positive traits you want to communicate to your connections.
Some key reasons why having a good LinkedIn profile photo matters:
- It makes your profile look more complete and professional.
- It helps people remember who you are.
- It conveys your brand and personality.
- It builds trust and approachability.
- It shows you’re investing in your professional image.
So in summary, a high quality LinkedIn photo is worth the investment because it can shape how people perceive you and make a strong first impression.
How to take a professional LinkedIn photo
Here are some tips for taking a LinkedIn profile photo that looks polished and professional:
Get a high quality headshot
Ideally, hire a professional photographer to take your LinkedIn photo. They will have the right equipment, lighting and skills to pose you in a flattering, natural way. If that’s not in your budget, at minimum use a quality camera, not a smartphone photo. The higher resolution the better.
Dress professionally
Wear business professional attire – such as a suit, dress, or pressed collared shirt. Solid colors or subtle patterns work best. Make sure your clothes are neatly pressed and avoid bold patterns or distracting accessories.
Style yourself neatly
Get a neat, professional hairstyle and make sure any facial hair is well-groomed. Go easy on the makeup – a natural look usually works best. Avoid bold lip or eye colors.
Choose a solid neutral background
Position yourself in front of a solid wall, screen, or backdrop. Neutral tones work best – light gray, beige, or white. Avoid busy backgrounds or colors that clash with your skin tone or clothes.
Use natural lighting
Take the photo during daylight hours near a window or outside. Natural lighting is most flattering to skin tones. Avoid overheads lights or camera flash which can create shadows.
Pose professionally
Keep good posture by straightening your back and shoulders. Tilt your chin down slightly and angle your body at a 3/4 view rather than straight on. Relax your facial muscles into a natural, warm smile. Avoid crossed arms or distracting hand gestures.
Maintain eye contact
Look directly into the camera lens with a friendly, approachable expression. This gives the impression of confidence and trustworthiness.
Take multiple shots
Digital photos are inexpensive. Take a series of shots and select the best one later where you look relaxed, poised, and professional. Minor tweaks to your pose or expression between shots can make a big difference.
Be consistent with other photos
Use a similar style professional photo anytime you include headshots, such as on your resume, website, or print materials. Consistency in your professional image helps people recognize and remember you.
Photo composition tips
In addition to your attire, expression, and lighting – pay attention to photo composition for best results:
- Crop it close to your head and shoulders.
- Position your face/eyes strategically – typically centered or slightly to one side.
- Leave more space in front of your face than behind your head.
- Angle your shoulders at approx. 25-35 degrees toward the camera.
- Make sure your head and eyes are level – no tilting.
- Pay attention to the background to avoid merging with your hair or clothes.
LinkedIn profile photo specifications
LinkedIn requires profile photos to meet these technical requirements:
- Image file must be JPG or PNG format
- Minimum dimensions 200 x 200 pixels
- Square crop – same width and height
- Portrait orientation – taller than wide
- Maximum file size 10 MB
- Minimum resolution 400 x 400
- Close up of head and shoulders
- No graphics or added text/logo overlays
Tips for looking natural yet professional
It’s important to come across as approachable and genuine on your LinkedIn photo. Here are some tips:
- Relax your facial muscles – no forced smiling.
- Make eye contact and envision connecting with someone.
- Do a slight shoulder tilt or head turn rather than straight on.
- Take some natural, relaxed breaths before you shoot.
- Keep your expression warm and friendly, not overly formal.
- Try picturing yourself having a pleasant conversation.
- Keep your chin level and don’t tilt your head.
The goal is to appear confident, genuine, and professional – not stiff or artificial.
Common LinkedIn photo mistakes to avoid
Here are some common pitfalls that can make your LinkedIn photo look unprofessional:
- Blurry or pixelated image
- Shadows obscuring part of your face
- Distracting background – cluttered or inappropriate
- Casual attire – no tank tops, t-shirts, etc.
- Goofy or exaggerated facial expressions
- Cropped off top of your head
- Angled selfie-style camera shot
- Looking away from the camera lens
- Tilting your head at an angle
- Harsh lighting, shadows, or redeye issues
Avoid these common mistakes for best results. Invest time into a quality, professional photo that presents the right image.
Should I smile or look serious?
Most LinkedIn experts recommend smiling naturally in your profile photo. A warm, pleasant smile makes you look more approachable, engaging, and confident. It also makes you appear happier and more successful. Just be sure to use a natural, relaxed smile rather than a forced or exaggerated grin. A subtle smile can work well too, as long as you look friendly. Avoid pressing your lips together or frowning which can come across as stern. But a smile generally makes the best first impression.
To show teeth or not?
Opinions are mixed on whether teeth showing in a smile makes for the best LinkedIn photo. Here are some considerations:
- Teeth showing can convey openness and approachability.
- No teeth may project more professionalism and seriousness.
- Clenched, forced smiles look awkward.
- A closed, tight-lipped smile can look angry or stern.
- Subtly parted lips with no visible teeth strike a nice balance.
- Use your best judgement based on what looks natural.
In the end, use the smile style that looks and feels most natural and conveys the image you want. Just avoid extremes of big forced grins or overly serious expressions.
Should I look at the camera or off-center?
For a LinkedIn profile photo, it’s generally best to look directly at the camera lens. This gives a sense of confidence, focus, and direct connection with the viewer. Avoid glancing sideways, down, or up which can seem distracted and disengaged. Subtle off-center gazes may work depending on your pose and expression – but direct eye contact tends to make the strongest impression. Just be sure to look into the lens, not at yourself on-screen. Position the camera at your eye level and focus your gaze during the shot.
Black and white or color photo?
While black and white photography can look artistic, LinkedIn experts overwhelmingly recommend using a color photo for your profile picture. Color conveys a sense of warmth, approachability, and authenticity. It better represents what you actually look like in-person to connections. Black and white can drain life from your image and make you look overly dreary or stern. However, a black and white photo may be an option if you have consistent professional headshots in that style. But for most people, stick with full color for LinkedIn.
Indoor or outdoor setting?
Either an indoor or outdoor setting can work well for a LinkedIn profile photo, as long as you follow professional best practices. Outdoors can provide nice soft, natural lighting. Indoors allows more control over background and lighting consistency. If shooting indoors, near a large clean window provides appealing natural light. Just be sure to avoid casting shadows on your face. When outside, use shade to avoid direct sun which creates shadows under eyes or nose. A shaded area facing open sky is ideal for flattering natural light.
How much background should be visible?
LinkedIn profile photos should be cropped relatively tight to your head and shoulders – don’t include your entire body or periphery. But some visible background provides context and visual interest. As a general rule, leave more space in front of your head than behind to avoid feeling boxed in. But avoid excessive space around your face – keep the focus directly on you. Blurred backgrounds work well to create separation without distraction. Just be sure the colors don’t clash with your face or clothes. Keep it simple – the emphasis should be solely on you.
Should I include props, logos, or text?
LinkedIn’s photo guidelines prohibit including additional graphics or text overlays on your profile picture. So steer clear of props, logos, or custom text additions. You want a clean, simple professional headshot focused on your face. Any extraneous elements can come across as distracting or unprofessional. Avoid holding objects and position yourself in front of a plain, text-free background.
How often should I update my photo?
Aim to update your LinkedIn profile photo every few years at minimum. You want to maintain a current image as your appearance evolves. Significant changes in hairstyles, facial hair, glasses, etc. are cues to get a refreshed headshot. Whenever you update your professional portfolio website or resume, update your LinkedIn photo at the same time. Treat it like any other headshot photo that needs periodic updating to stay current. First impressions matter, so make sure your profile picture shows your best self today.
Should I wear glasses or contacts?
If you regularly wear prescription glasses, it’s fine to wear them for your LinkedIn photo. Glasses are an authentic part of your professional appearance. Just make sure they’re clean and free of glare or reflections. Some tips for glasses:
- Pick glasses frames suited to your face shape.
- Make sure frames fit properly on your face.
- Don’t let frames dominate your face.
- Mirror coating can reduce lens glare.
- Contacts are fine too if preferred.
- Or take some photos both with and without.
The goal is to complement your face rather than distract. But glasses are fine to wear – just minimize reflections.
Men: Should I have facial hair in the photo?
This depends on your normal professional appearance. If you typically have a mustache or beard, it’s fine to include that in your LinkedIn photo. Just make sure facial hair is neatly groomed and trimmed. Avoid patchy growth or stubble. The point is to look polished and professional. But men should not grow new facial hair just for the sake of a photo. Present your usual professional appearance. If clean-shaven is your norm, stick to that.
What color clothing should I wear?
Solid darker colors tend to work best for LinkedIn photos. Darker blues, grays, blacks, and browns have a traditional professional appeal. Brighter or light colors reflect more light, so they can visually wash you out or strain the eyes. Soft earth tones and pastels also work. Avoid bright reds, oranges, yellows, etc. that attract too much attention. Stay neutral. And pick colors that complement your skin tone. Simple textures and minimal patterns are fine. Just avoid anything distracting. The emphasis should be on your face, not your clothing.
How much of my body should be in the photo?
LinkedIn profile pictures should only show from your head down to mid-chest at most. There’s no need to include your whole torso or body. It should be more of a headshot than full body. Cut off the frame somewhere around the bottom of your shoulder line or sternum. Don’t crop at the neck or super tight on your face – allow some space around the head. But focus just on the top half of your upper body at most. The emphasis should be strictly on your face, expression, and posture.
What type of background should I use?
A solid, plain backdrop as your background generally works best. Opt for neutral and subtle colors that provide separation between you and the background. Light gray, beige, light blue, and off-white are safe options. Avoid bright white, which can overexpose or clash with skin tones. And steer clear of bold patterns or colors that pull visual focus away from you. A blurred background creates nice separation too. For indoor shots, choose a clean wall, curtain, screen, etc. Outdoors, position yourself in front of foliage, the skyline, a fence, a wall, etc. Just keep it simple.
Should I include my hands in the picture?
In most cases, it’s best not to include your hands or crossed arms in a LinkedIn headshot. Keep the focus on your face, shoulders, and torso. But if you can naturally position your hands in a relaxed, open way that adds to the approachability of your pose, that may work. Avoid tense, clenched hand positions. And don’t overtly gesture. If possible, simply keep your hands down by your sides outside of the frame. Let your facial expression convey the most impact.
What kind of posture should I have?
Stand or sit tall with good upright posture. Pull your shoulders slightly back without appearing stiff. Relax your arms naturally by your sides. Lift your chin just slightly and elongate your neck. Lean your body gently toward the camera rather than away. Face the camera at a slight angle rather than straight on. Convey engaged confidence through your stance. Don’t cross your arms tightly or slouch. Proper relaxed posture projects professionalism and approachability.
How can I check my LinkedIn photo for quality issues?
Here are some ways to review your LinkedIn profile photo for any issues before uploading:
- Check exposure – make sure your face is evenly lit, not too bright or dark.
- Review the focus – eyes and facial details should be sharp.
- Watch for red eye from camera flash.
- Crop for ideal headshot framing.
- Make sure no objects are merging from the background.
- Check for stray hairs, smudges, or shine on your face.
- View the photo in both color and black and white.
- Review your expression, pose, clothing, etc.
- Get a second opinion from professional contacts.
Taking the time to review your photo carefully before posting can make all the difference.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile photo is a key element for making positive first impressions and conveying your professional brand. Invest time and care into getting a quality headshot. Focus on looking polished, approachable, and confident. Follow best practices for your pose, expression, lighting, attire, and backdrop. And update your photo regularly to always put your best face forward. A professional profile photo inspires connections and opportunities.