Your LinkedIn profile picture is one of the first things people will notice when looking at your profile. Having a professional, high-quality headshot can make a great first impression and help you stand out from the crowd. However, taking a flattering, natural-looking photo of yourself that meets LinkedIn’s requirements can be tricky. Here are some tips on how to take a good LinkedIn profile picture that will help you look your best and make a strong first impression.
Why Your LinkedIn Photo Matters
Your profile photo is a crucial part of your personal brand on LinkedIn. It allows viewers to put a face to your name and conveys your professionalism at a glance. According to LinkedIn, profiles with photos receive 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages than those without. With over 740 million members on the platform, having an eye-catching yet appropriate photo can give you a competitive edge. Think of your LinkedIn photo as a modern resume headshot – it’s often the first impression hiring managers or potential connections will have of you. Making it a good one pays dividends.
LinkedIn’s Photo Requirements
To ensure a consistent experience across the platform, LinkedIn has requirements for profile pictures:
- File size: Minimum 400 x 400 pixels
- Image size: At least 200 x 200 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square photo shape)
- File type: JPEG or PNG
- Photo: Head and shoulders in frame
- Background: Solid color only
Photos that don’t meet these requirements will be cropped or resized, potentially distorting your image. Keeping these benchmarks in mind when taking your photo ensures it will appear correctly on your profile.
Tips for Taking a Good LinkedIn Photo
Here are some best practices to follow when taking a photo for your LinkedIn profile:
Get a Professional Headshot
For the best results, hire a professional photographer experienced in taking business or corporate headshots. They will know how to pose and light you optimally for the frame. While professional headshots require an investment, they are worthwhile for the quality. If hiring a pro is not in the budget, follow these other tips to DIY.
Use an Actual Camera
Avoid taking a LinkedIn photo with your smartphone’s camera if possible. While phones have come a long way, they cannot match the quality of a DSLR camera. If you have access to a DSLR, use it in Portrait mode and experiment with aperture for a blurred background. This professional touch can make your photo stand out.
Frame Your Head and Shoulders
LinkedIn specifies that photos should only show your head and shoulders. Make sure there is more space above your head than below your shoulders in the frame. Cutting off the top of your head or including too much below the shoulders can look sloppy. Focus just on your face, neck, and upper torso area.
Look at the Camera Directly
Maintain good eye contact with the camera for a direct, confident portrait. Looking off in another direction can make your gaze seem wandering and indifferent. Keep your eyes focused on the camera lens as the photo is taken.
Relax Your Facial Expression
A pleasant, natural-looking smile is ideal for a LinkedIn photo. Avoid stiff or exaggerated facial expressions. Keep your eyes open normally and let your face relax. An overly rigid smile can appear unapproachable in photos.
Wear Professional Attire
Dress professionally in a suit, dress, or neat shirt to convey your commitment to your career. Formal business attire makes the right impression for LinkedIn. Stay away from casual clothing like T-shirts or tank tops. Neat, pressed dress shirts photograph very nicely.
Style Neat, Simple Hair and Makeup
Do basic grooming before your photoshoot and style your hair neatly. For women, light makeup that looks flattering but natural is best. Avoid heavy eye makeup or bright lipstick colors that could appear distracting. For men, make sure facial hair is tidy and evenly trimmed.
Choose a Solid Neutral Background
LinkedIn specifies profile photos must have a solid one-color background. This prevents visual distractions and keeps the focus directly on you. Light gray, beige, or cream walls make ideal backdrops. Stay away from patterned wallpaper or busy backgrounds.
Use Natural Lighting
Taking your photo during daylight hours near a window creates appealing, even lighting. Bright sunlight at high noon can create harsh shadows, so aim for morning or afternoon light. Avoid on-camera flash which can wash out details. Natural lighting is the most flattering.
Check Photo Requirements
Review LinkedIn’s requirements again before uploading to ensure your image fits the specifications. Cropping or resizing issues can be avoided if you follow the guidelines as you take and select the photo.
Enlist Someone to Take Your Photo
Having a friend, family member, or colleague take your photo allows you to focus on posing and facilitates getting the shot. Use a tripod if taking your own self-portrait. Take some test shots and review them to ensure quality before taking too many.
Take Several Options to Choose From
Snap 3-5 stellar photos so you have options to select the very best one for your profile. Subtle differences in angle, framing, and expression can greatly impact the end result. Take your time and change up small details between each shot.
Edit Discreetly
Minor touches like cropping, brightness, and color changes are okay when editing your final image. However, avoid using filters or making significant alternations. You want to look natural, like yourself. LinkedIn photos should not feel overly curated.
Double Check Your Appearance
Carefully review your photo before confirming it as your profile picture. Check for closed eyes, awkward expressions, distracting background details, poor framing, or anything else that detracts from it. First impressions matter, so scrutinize it objectively before finalizing your choice.
Examples of Great LinkedIn Profile Photos
To give you an idea of professional profile photo best practices, here are some examples of fantastic LinkedIn pictures:
Natural Smile
This warm, approachable photo features a pleasant natural smile with eye contact. Cool-toned gray background keeps focus on face.
Crisp Business Attire
The sharp suit and neat hairstyle exude professionalism. Good framing shows just head and shoulders.
Outdoors Natural Lighting
Even, natural light outdoors creates a nice portrait. Background blurred to keep focus on face.
Approachable Expression
Sincere direct eye contact connects with the viewer. Light shirt photographs well against gray wall.
Relaxed But Professional
Crisp suit and calm confidence project professionalism. Nice framing and blurred background.
Common LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes to Avoid
While there are many ways to take an excellent LinkedIn profile photograph, there are also some common mistakes that should be avoided:
Casual Attire
Photos with casual clothes like hoodies, T-shirts, tank tops, etc. can undermine your professional brand. Wear formal business attire.
Poor Lighting
Harsh lighting that creates shadows or washes you out is unflattering. Seek soft, even, natural lighting.
Distracting Background
A busy background competes with you for attention. Use a solid neutral wall if possible.
Cropped Frame
Cutting off your head or showing too far below your shoulders looks sloppy.
No Eye Contact
Looking away from the camera conveys aloofness. Maintain eye contact to connect.
Unnatural Expression
Forced smiles or overly rigid poses feel stiff. Relax and let natural expressions shine.
Low Image Quality
Blurry, pixelated photos taken from far away or with poor cameras degrade easily.
Outdated Photos
Old photos no longer represent your current professional look. Update every few years.
Group Photos
You should be the sole focus in a LinkedIn profile photo. Don’t use group shots.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile photo makes a significant impact on first impressions for anyone viewing your page. Investing the time to take and select an attractive, high-quality headshot that meets LinkedIn’s guidelines will maximize your profile’s effectiveness. Avoid common mistakes like poor lighting, casual clothing, or distracting backgrounds. With a professional portrait that conveys approachability and confidence, your photo can help you make connections and stand out from the crowd. Remember to refresh your headshot every few years as your style evolves. A profile picture that reflects the professional you of today is always worth the effort.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Smile naturally | Use casual attire |
| Maintain eye contact | Slouch or slump |
| Frame head and shoulders | Crop off head or show too much torso |
| Wear professional clothing | Use excessive facial expressions |
| Style your hair neatly | Use filters or heavy editing |
| Choose a solid background | Display distracting background |
| Use natural lighting | Cast harsh shadows |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I smile or look serious in my LinkedIn photo?
A pleasant, natural-looking smile is recommended for LinkedIn. Avoid an overly rigid or forced smile. Relaxed sincerity is best. A serious expression can come across harshly.
Does the background in my photo matter?
Yes, LinkedIn specifies photos should have a solid, one-color background free of distractions. Busy backdrops compete with you. A neutral wall works best.
Can I just use my phone’s camera to take my photo?
You’re better off using an actual standalone camera, ideally a DSLR. Phone cameras have limitations and do not produce top-notch professional portraits.
What is the best way to take a selfie for LinkedIn?
Taking your own photo is challenging. Use a tripod and self-timer. Position yourself near a window for natural lighting. Check the framing and regularly review test shots. Enlist someone else’s help if possible.
How often should I change my LinkedIn profile picture?
Plan to update your headshot every 2-3 years. Your appearance, style and age may gradually evolve. Keep your photo recent and representative of how you look now in your career.
Key Takeaways
- Invest in a professional, high-quality photo for your LinkedIn profile.
- Follow LinkedIn’s requirements for image specifications.
- Style your hair/makeup neatly and wear business formal attire.
- Frame just your head and shoulders in the photo.
- Make eye contact with the camera for an approachable look.
- Choose a solid, neutral background free of distractions.
- Use natural lighting near a window to evenly illuminate your face.
- Take several options to select the most flattering photo.
- Refresh your headshot every few years as your style evolves.
An excellent LinkedIn profile photo conveys your professional brand at a glance. Follow these best practices when taking and selecting your image to make a strong first impression that will help advance your career goals. A few small tweaks can boost your photo from so-so to stellar.
