Having a professional photo on your LinkedIn profile is one of the most impactful things you can do to make a great first impression and advance your career. With over 740 million members on LinkedIn, it’s important that your profile stands out in a crowded marketplace. Your profile photo is one of the first things hiring managers and recruiters will notice when they view your profile, so putting thought and care into selecting the right photo is crucial.
In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to take a professional photo for LinkedIn, when you should use one, and examples of good LinkedIn profile pictures. We’ll also look at some of the key benefits of using a professional headshot and address common concerns like cost and authenticity. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of best practices for your LinkedIn profile picture.
Should You Use a Professional Photo for LinkedIn?
The simple answer is yes – having a professional headshot on LinkedIn provides important advantages and can help you stand out. Here are some of the key reasons to use one:
It makes a strong first impression
LinkedIn is many people’s first introduction to you as a professional. An unprofessional photo makes just as strong an impression as a professional one, only negatively. A polished headshot immediately makes you look credible, established, and trustworthy.
It aligns you with your professional brand
Your LinkedIn presence is an extension of your personal brand. A professional photo reinforces who you are as a professional and is on-brand with the image you want to project to employers and colleagues.
It shows you’re detail-oriented
A high-quality headshot signals that you pay attention to the details that matter when presenting yourself professionally. This trait is attractive to potential employers.
It makes you look more successful
People tend to equate professional headshots with success. Photos make you appear established in your career and can visually reinforce your credentials.
It makes you look more trustworthy
Professional photos add to your credibility and trustworthiness. Clear, high-quality photos allow viewers to make eye contact and connect with you.
It helps you stand out
Many people don’t use professional photos on LinkedIn. Having one is an easy way to distinguish yourself from the masses and grab hiring managers’ attention.
So in summary, a professional photo aligns with putting your best foot forward on LinkedIn. It presents you in the best possible light and makes an overwhelmingly positive impression compared to amateur photos or no photos at all. The advantages easily outweigh any minor costs or inconvenience of having photos taken.
When Should You Use a Professional Photo?
Here are some of the key times when having a professional headshot is most impactful on LinkedIn:
When job searching
If you’re actively looking for a new job, a professional photo on your LinkedIn profile is an absolute must. Hiring managers and recruiters will be looking you up, so you want to make the best impact possible. It shows you’re serious about your search.
When connecting with new contacts
A profile photo humanizes you when connecting with new professional contacts. It helps form first impressions and reminds people who you are if you’ve met in person.
When promoting your personal brand
Having a consistent professional photo reinforces recognition of your personal brand across networks and profiles. Use the same photo on LinkedIn, your website, and other platforms.
When networking and meeting people
If you’re using LinkedIn to network at events or with people who may view your profile later, a professional photo helps cement the connection and match your name to your face.
When interacting on LinkedIn
Commenting, sharing content, and posting on LinkedIn groups and feeds is more genuine and relatable when people can put a face to your name. A professional photo adds context.
When applying for promotions
When opportunities come up within your current company, hiring managers may view your internal profile. A polished, corporate-style photo presents you as management material.
When changing jobs or career direction
If you’re changing roles, companies, or industries, update your photo background to align with your new direction. It visually reinforces your updated branding.
In summary, any situation where your LinkedIn profile is front and center calls for an updated professional photo that puts your best foot forward. Make sure it’s consistent with your target employer, industry, and objectives.
Tips for Taking a Professional Photo
Follow these best practices when having a LinkedIn profile photo taken:
Invest in a professional photographer
Hiring a professional photographer who specializes in portraits and headshots is worth the investment. Avoid asking friends or family unless they have professional skills.
Dress professionally
Wear business formal attire – a suit for men, blazer for women. Stick to dark neutral colors and minimal patterns. Make sure clothes are neatly pressed.
Style your hair neatly
Hair should be cleanly styled and neat. Go for styles that look corporate yet natural for your look. Avoid messier styles.
Limit accessories and jewelry
Accessories and bold jewelry can distract. Men should avoid wearing earrings. Keep watches simple. Women can wear small earrings and a simple necklace.
Sit up straight
Posture communicates confidence. Sit or stand up straight during the shoot. Avoid fidgeting or shifting around.
Relax your face
Relax your facial muscles and don’t force an unnatural smile. Convey approachability and confidence.
Make eye contact with the camera
Look directly into the camera lens with a steady, confident gaze. This establishes engagement with the viewer.
Opt for a conservative background
Solid, conservative backgrounds like a gray wall work best. Busy or distracting backgrounds compete with you.
Take both vertical and horizontal options
Take photos in both portrait and landscape orientation. Horizontal works best for LinkedIn but vertical provides flexibility.
Investing in a professional shoot with these tips will maximize your chances of getting an excellent headshot for your LinkedIn profile.
Examples of Great LinkedIn Profile Pictures
Here are examples of strong LinkedIn profile photos and what makes them effective:
Faces are clearly visible
The subject’s face is fully visible, well-lit, centered, and taking up most of the frame. There is good separation from the background.
Portraits are corporate but approachable
The portraits look business professional yet friendly. Subjects look neat, sharply dressed, and have natural smiles.
Backgrounds are simple and muted
Backgrounds are solid walls or blurry landscapes in muted gray and blue tones. They don’t distract from the subject.
Eye contact is made with the camera
Subjects directly engage the viewer by looking straight into the camera lens with confidence.
Posture and positioning exude credibility
Subjects sit or stand tall with an upright, straight posture that conveys executive presence. Hands are positioned naturally.
Clothing matches industry and role
Attire aligns with level of formality for the subject’s industry and role. Technical experts appear more casual than bankers.
Personal branding is consistent
Photos match the person’s brand on their website and other networks like Twitter, using similar poses and clothing.
Photo Example | Analysis |
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The subject’s face and upper body fill up most of the frame. She makes strong eye contact and her warm smile looks natural and inviting. Her navy blazer projects professionalism against a softly blurred background that doesn’t distract. |
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The centered, close-up composition focuses all attention on the subject’s face. The lighting is balanced and his smile looks genuine. The solid gray backdrop keeps the focus on him. His suit and tie project authority. |
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The photo’s horizontal orientation suits LinkedIn’s layout. The subject conveys approachability through her relaxed smile and direct eye contact. Her simple blue top photographs well and keeps the focus on her face. |
The Benefits of Investing in Professional Photos
Here are some of the key advantages that come from investing time and money into professional LinkedIn profile pictures:
Higher quality photography
Professional photographers have high-end equipment and lighting to take crisp, well-composed, well-lit photos. Amateur photos tend to look obvious.
Makes the right impression
Professional headshots match the first impression you want to make on connections and hiring managers.
Presentation aligns with branding goals
You can shape how you want to come across and control your personal brand by selecting photos aligned with your brand identity.
Higher response rates
Profiles with professional photos tend to see higher response rates when messaging contacts and applying to jobs.
Images are optimized for LinkedIn
Photographers select imagery tailored to presenting well as a small LinkedIn profile picture.
Wider range of options
Photographers take many different photos you can choose from to get the right look.
Saves you time and effort
A photo shoot means you don’t have to hassle with taking your own profile pics.
Long term investment
Professional photos can be used across networks and profiles for years. The investment pays off over time.
While there are costs involved in getting professional photos taken, the benefits make it a smart long term investment in your personal branding and LinkedIn presence.
Concerns and Considerations
Some common concerns people have around using professional headshots on LinkedIn include:
Costs
Professional shoots aren’t cheap, especially if you hire a top photographer. But lower cost options under $100 are widely available, and the benefits outweigh the costs.
Appearing pretentious
Some worry headshots look like they are trying too hard to impress. This can be mitigated by appearing natural and choosing an approachable look.
Inauthenticity
If photos seem overly posed or airbrushed, they can come across as inauthentic. Opt for natural expressions and portraits.
Discrimination
Some people fear profile photos could enable discrimination over appearance and demographics. LinkedIn does ban profile photos that promote discrimination.
Dating site vibe
Too stylized a photo can project a dating profile vibe. Keep poses modest and facial expressions natural.
The right professional photographer should be able to capture portraits that come across as genuine while presenting you in your best light. With some care and planning, concerns over pretentiousness and inauthenticity can be avoided.
Alternatives to Professional Headshots
While professional headshots are recommended for LinkedIn, some alternatives include:
Photo taken by a friend
You can have a friend with photography skills take candid portraits and select the best shot. Avoid iPhone selfies.
Corporate headshot
Some companies offer free corporate headshots you can use. This works best if they maintain a consistent look.
School graduation photos
If taken well, some recent school graduation photos can work. Crop to just head and shoulders.
Environmental shot
A sharply dressed full body shot in your work environment can look natural while projecting professionalism.
Cropped event photo
An event photo cropped to your head and shoulders can work if you’re dressed professionally and positioned well.
The key is choosing and cropping photos with care if not using a dedicated professional headshot. Prioritize visual quality, professional appearance, and approachability.
Conclusion
Having a professional headshot on your LinkedIn profile provides significant advantages when it comes to making connections and advancing your career. The investment is well worth the benefits. Follow the tips in this article to maximize your chances of getting an excellent photo that presents you how you want to be perceived. While professional shots are ideal, alternatives like a sharp environmental portrait can also work if done thoughtfully. Make sure you keep your profile photo updated over time as your career progresses. The right photo can go a long way in showcasing you as the professional you aspire to be.