Having an appropriate LinkedIn profile photo is an important part of establishing your professional brand on the platform. With over 800 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site and a crucial tool for career development and networking. Your profile photo acts as your first impression and helps convey your professionalism to connections and potential opportunities. This leads to an important question – should your LinkedIn photo have a white background?
The Purpose of a LinkedIn Profile Photo
Before determining the ideal background, it’s important to understand the purpose of a LinkedIn profile photo. Your photo allows you to put a face to your name and identity. It personalizes your profile and enables connections to recognize you. An appropriate, high-quality headshot helps build familiarity and trust with your network.
Additionally, your photo ensures you stand out amongst the hundreds of millions of members on the platform. With a sea of profiles, a photo attracts attention to your brand and makes your profile more likely to be viewed. In summary, a LinkedIn profile photo:
- Puts a face to your name and identity
- Personalizes your profile
- Enables connections to recognize you
- Builds familiarity and trust
- Helps you stand out
- Attracts people to your profile
Benefits of a White Background
With the goals of a LinkedIn photo in mind, a white background offers several advantages. Here are some of the top benefits of using a white background:
Looks Professional
A white background creates a clean, professional look for your photo. Solid white eliminates any distracting or cluttered elements in the background. This focuses attention directly on you and your facial expression. A professional headshot projects competence and authority.
Pops Against LinkedIn Design
LinkedIn pages utilize a white and blue color scheme. A white photo background seamlessly blends into this existing design. Your photo frames nicely against the white background of your LinkedIn profile. This makes your photo pop rather than clash against the page.
Neutral Background
White is a neutral color that doesn’t take attention away from you. Busy or bold backgrounds can be distracting or even inappropriate for a professional headshot. White balances the focus evenly between you and your background.
Looks Clean and Tidy
There are no messy elements or wrinkles with a solid white backdrop. This looks neat and organized, projecting that you have attention to detail.
Easy to Execute
Achieving a white background is relatively straightforward compared to coordinating other colored backdrops or location shots. All you need is a white wall or backdrop. Some professional photographers even edit the background white if needed.
Respects LinkedIn Recommendations
LinkedIn provides photo guidelines that recommend a white or neutral background. Following these standards shows you understand the LinkedIn environment.
Allows Flexibility
A white background fits in across LinkedIn including your profile page, messaging, and notifications. It also remains appropriate if you change industry or career focus down the line.
Drawbacks of a White Background
Despite the benefits, there are also a few potential drawbacks of selecting a plain white background for your LinkedIn photo:
May Look Boring
A white backdrop could be perceived as bland or uncreative. Some personalities may prefer a background that better aligns with their brand.
Doesn’t Provide Context
A white background does not provide any context about your profession, industry, location, interests, or personality.
Easily Forgotten
Photos with distinct backgrounds tend to be more memorable. A white wall does not create a lasting impression.
May Blend In
Uploaded against LinkedIn’s white pages, your photo risks blending into the background. This reduces its noticeability.
Requires Proper Lighting
A white backdrop needs proper lighting to avoid shadows or overexposure. Harsh lighting can also eliminate dimension and skin tone.
Alternatives to a White Background
If a white background does not align with your preferences or brand, there are alternative options to consider. Here are some examples:
Office Setting
An office backdrop demonstrates your work setting while adding some personality. Bookshelves, desks, or conference rooms make suitable options.
Head and Shoulders Crop
Cropping out the background and going with a head and shoulders photo removes the need for a background entirely.
Industry Context
Showcase your industry by including relevant backgrounds. For example, healthcare providers in labs or doctors’ offices, engineers on site, or teachers in classrooms.
Outdoor Setting
Natural backdrops like landscapes, gardens, or porches convey a sense of personality.
Textures or Patterns
Interesting textures like wood, brick, or tile create visual interest compared to a plain backdrop.
Blurring
Blurring the background softly removes distractions while still providing some setting context.
Key Photo Tips
If opting for a white or alternate background, keep these key photo tips in mind:
- High-resolution photo (at least 400 x 400 pixels)
- Professional headshot framing – head and shoulders
- Neutral facial expression or slight smile
- Eye contact with the camera
- Professional attire in line with your industry
- Natural lighting, ideally from the front to avoid shadows
- Blur or crop cluttered backgrounds if needed
- Cohesive color palette between photo and background
Conclusion
Overall, a white background is a safe, smart choice for a LinkedIn profile photo because it looks professional, clean, and fits with LinkedIn’s design. However, alternatives like office settings, outdoor backdrops, or blurred backgrounds allow you to showcase more personality while still looking polished.
The most important factors are using a high-quality, clear headshot of yourself and following LinkedIn photo best practices. This helps ensure your photo effectively represents you and makes the right impression. With an appropriate profile photo, you can maximize your visibility and connections on LinkedIn.