Having a professional headshot is crucial for making a good first impression on LinkedIn. With over 740 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform and an important tool for establishing your personal brand. Your profile photo or headshot acts as your first impression to connections and potential employers or clients scrolling through the platform. Like a firm handshake or direct eye contact in an in-person interaction, an appropriate, high-quality headshot shows you are serious and thoughtful about presenting yourself professionally.
Why are LinkedIn profile photos so important?
LinkedIn headshots serve several key purposes:
- They put a face to your name, helping others remember you
- They convey your professionalism and attention to detail
- They give viewers a sense of your personality and approachability
- They encourage others to connect with you and view your full profile
In short, your photo allows you to make a strong first impression and stand out from the crowd. Given that LinkedIn is relied on by 91% of recruiters when evaluating candidates, your headshot could be the difference between getting a dream job or having your profile overlooked.
What makes a good LinkedIn photo?
Follow these best practices when selecting or taking a photo for your LinkedIn profile:
Appearance
- Wear professional attire like a suit or blazer. Avoid casual clothing.
- Look tidy and well-groomed. Neatly combed hair and clean-shaven or neatly trimmed facial hair gives an impression of care and polish.
- Limit accessories and jewelry. You want the focus to be on you, not loud jewelry or accessories.
- Smile naturally. A relaxed, genuine smile makes you seem approachable.
Composition
- Get a head-and-shoulders shot. Crop out your torso and just include head and shoulders.
- Look directly into the camera to make a connection with the viewer.
- Ensure your face takes up 60% or more of the frame. Your head should not look tiny in the photo.
- Have a neutral or natural background. A professional headshot backdrop or neutral wall is ideal. Avoid distracting backgrounds.
- Check the lighting. Even, flattering lighting will make you look your best. Avoid shadows across your face.
Quality
- Have a high resolution photo, at least 400×400 pixels. If it looks blurry or pixelated, it will undermine your professionalism.
- Make sure the file size is under 8MB. LinkedIn requires photos under 8MB.
- Pick a JPG or PNG file. LinkedIn accepts either file format.
Common LinkedIn headshot mistakes to avoid
While getting the perfect headshot may take some trial and error, be sure to steer clear of these common mistakes:
- Appearing unprofessional due to casual clothing, inappropriate background, messy hair, etc.
- Selecting an overly casual photo, like you would use on Facebook. Remember, this is a professional networking platform.
- Using an outdated photo that no longer looks like you.
- Having other people in the photo. The focus should be entirely on you.
- Picking a blurry, pixelated image or one with harsh lighting and shadows.
- Choosing a cropped photo from a full-body picture. It will look awkward.
- Wearing tinted glasses that obscure your eyes.
- Facing sideways or looking away from the camera.
Should I smile or look serious in my LinkedIn photo?
Most experts recommend smiling naturally in your LinkedIn photo. A smile makes you look more approachable, friendly, and confident. However, you want to avoid a wide grin that looks artificial. Think warm, genuine smile rather than laughing or Cheshire cat.
While a more serious expression projects professionalism and gravitas, it can also come across as stern or intimidating if not balanced properly. You want to appear earnest yet relaxed.
Consider having some photos taken where you smile fully, don’t smile, and smile subtly. That way you can compare options and choose the one that best represents you.
Should I wear glasses in my LinkedIn headshot?
Clear prescription glasses are perfectly fine for a LinkedIn photo, and even trendy in some fields like tech. However, make sure there is no glare obscuring your eyes. Tinted glasses should typically be avoided, as they hide your eyes and make it hard to connect.
How can I take a good headshot photo myself?
Taking your own professional-grade headshot is possible with the right tools and techniques!
Equipment needed
- Camera – Use a DSLR camera or a high-end smartphone like an iPhone or Android. Tablets or laptop cameras tend to have lower resolution.
- Tripod – Using a tripod for stabilization is crucial for blur-free images. You can also prop your phone up on books or other objects if needed.
- Remote shutter release or self-timer – To avoid blur caused by pressing the shutter, use the camera’s self-timer or a remote release like Bluetooth headphones.
- Reflectors and fill flash – Reflectors bounce attractive natural light onto your face. A fill flash can also brighten facial shadows.
- Backdrop – Hang a sheet, blanket, tarp, or paper backdrop. Or stand in front of a neutral wall.
Setting up your shot
- Use ample, diffuse lighting. Face a window on an overcast day for flattering illumination. Or set up reflectors to bounce light onto your face.
- Do some test shots and check for unflattering shadows on your face. Adjust lighting as needed.
- Clean the camera lens to prevent blurry shots.
- Set camera height at or just above eye level. Shot from below can foreshorten your face.
- Frame vertically. Fill about 60% of the frame with your face.
- Use auto mode or set ISO between 100-400 and aperture around f/5.6 for sharp focus.
Taking your shot
- Relax your facial muscles before taking the photo.
- Engage with the camera lens like you are making eye contact with the viewer.
- Take lots of shots to have options to choose from later.
- Focus on keeping a steady expression. Blinking repeatedly can make it hard to choose.
- Subtly angle your body at 25-45 degrees rather than straight on.
- Keep your chin slightly lowered so you aren’t looking up. Extend your neck softly.
Editing your photo
- Review all your shots and pick your favorites based on facial expression, lighting, sharpness, etc.
- Crop image to contain just your head and shoulders.
- Use photo editing software to make adjustments if needed, like brightening exposure or increasing contrast.
- Save file in JPG or PNG format at high resolution (400×400 pixels minimum).
- Compress image size to under 8MB.
Should I hire a professional photographer?
Here are the pros and cons of hiring a professional photographer versus taking a DIY LinkedIn headshot:
Benefits of a pro photographer
- Access to high-end equipment and studio setup
- Experience directing subjects
- Knowledge of poses, lighting, and composition
- Artistic eye for flattering, professional images
- Efficiency taking many quality shots in one session
- Ability to retouch photos with advanced software
Benefits of a DIY headshot
- Much lower cost
- Convenience of shooting anytime
- Creative control over the final image
- Can shoot multiple rounds until satisfied
Overall, professional headshots are ideal if you want high-quality, carefully crafted photos and don’t mind the added cost. However, with practice and the right gear, self-taken shots can also look classy and polished.
How much do professional LinkedIn headshots cost?
Professional headshot sessions typically range from $150-$500+ depending on factors like:
- Photographer’s experience level and expertise
- Amount of editing and retouching options
- Session length and number of final images provided
- Your location and cost of living
- Whether you travel to their studio or they come to your office
- Extra charges like makeup, hairstyling, outfit coordination, etc.
Many professional photographers offer LinkedIn headshot packages with different options. Expect to pay around:
Package | Cost |
---|---|
Basic session and edited images | $150-$300 |
Standard pro session and several edited options | $250-$500 |
Premium session with outfit styling and extensive editing | $400-$600+ |
To save money, look for mini headshot sessions of 20-30 minutes rather than a full hour. Or inquire about limited editing options to reduce costs. Students and early career professionals may also qualify for discounted rates.
How can I refresh my LinkedIn profile photo?
Over time, you may want to update your LinkedIn profile picture. Reasons to refresh your headshot include:
- You look noticeably different than a dated photo
- Your personal or professional style has changed
- You want images that reflect a new career stage
- Your existing photo is pixelated, blurry, or low quality
- You want to update your background or use improved photography techniques
When refreshing your profile photo, aim for continuity rather than a 180-degree switch-up. For example, maintain a similar facial expression, color palette, and tone. This will keep your personal brand consistent.
Some tips for seamlessly updating your photo include:
- Take your new headshot in the same attire or style as the previous photo
- Maintain a similar cropped framing, pose, and background
- Book the same photographer if using a professional
- Make small incremental changes rather than drastically altering your look or environment
- Use a photo editing style and color tone that matches your existing image
With minor tweaks over time, you can keep your profile photo up-to-date and professional looking without confusing your connections.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile photo is one of the first things people will see when visiting your account. Having an impactful, high-quality headshot that exudes professionalism and approachability can enhance your personal brand and open doors in your career.
Pay attention to factors like your appearance, expression, framing, lighting, and background when selecting or taking a photo. And don’t neglect technical details like image size and quality. With a little strategic effort, your profile picture can become a key asset in growing your network and opportunities.