Having the right photo on your LinkedIn profile is important for making a good first impression and looking professional. With over 660 million members on LinkedIn, standing out from the crowd with an appropriate headshot could give you an edge. But with so many options and recommendations, what is the best type of photo to use?
Should you include a photo?
First, it’s important to note that having a profile photo is recommended for your LinkedIn profile. According to LinkedIn, members with a profile photo receive up to 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages than members without a photo. So including some sort of photo can make a big difference in how visible your profile is.
Some key benefits of having a profile photo include:
- Making your profile stand out and appear more engaging
- Helping others put a face to your name when connecting or messaging
- Conveying professionalism and credibility as a part of your personal brand
- Increasing the chances that others will view and connect with your profile
Unless you have a specific reason not to include a photo, it’s highly recommended to add one to maximize your LinkedIn profile’s potential.
Photo Types to Avoid
While any photo is better than no photo, there are certain types of photos that are not recommended for LinkedIn profiles:
Selfies
Selfies tend to look more casual, informal, and not professional. Straight-on selfies in particular can appear awkward and don’t convey the best impression. It’s better to have someone else take your photo.
Group photos
Avoid group photos where you’re with a crowd of people. This can make it hard to identify you and know which person in the photo is actually you!
Snapchat filters
Fun Snapchat filters with cat ears, silly faces, or other effects are too casual for a business networking site like LinkedIn.
Vacation photos
Beach vacation photos, pictures of you partying, or photos with alcohol don’t give off a professional vibe. Save those for your personal social media accounts.
Old photos
Make sure to use a current photo that reflects what you look like now. Outdated photos from 5, 10, or 20 years ago aren’t accurate.
The Best Types of LinkedIn Profile Photos
So what kinds of photos should you use? Here are the best options:
Professional headshot
A formal headshot or portrait from chest up is the standard recommendation. Similar to what you’d use for a resume or work website, a professional headshot shows you are serious and career-oriented.
Well-lit
Good lighting eliminates shadows and prevents your face from being too washed out or dark. Natural daylight or a flash are good options.
Friendly smile
A smile makes you seem approachable and personable. Avoid an overly wide grin though that may look unnatural.
Simple background
Opt for a plain solid color background if possible. This keeps the focus on you rather than distracting backgrounds.
Sharp focus
Make sure the photo is properly focused and not blurry. You want your face and expression to come through clearly.
Forward facing
Face forward toward the camera for the most flattering perspective. Angled poses can distort features.
Business attire
Dress professionally as you would for work. This reinforces your professional brand and expertise.
Recent photo
Use a current photo from within the past year. This shows your most up-to-date professional look.
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
|---|---|
| Professional headshot | Selfies |
| Well-lit | Group photos |
| Friendly smile | Snapchat filters |
| Simple background | Vacation photos |
| Sharp focus | Old photos |
| Forward facing | Blurry or distorted |
| Business attire | Casual attire |
| Recent photo | Outdated |
Tips for Taking Your Own LinkedIn Photo
Hiring a professional photographer is ideal for getting quality headshots. But if you don’t have the budget for that, you can take your own LinkedIn profile photo using these tips:
Use a quality camera
The better the camera, the better your photo will turn out. Use a DSLR camera if possible, or a newer smartphone like an iPhone rather than your old flip phone.
Enlist someone’s help
Ask a friend or family member to be your photographer. This way you can properly frame the shot and make sure you’re in focus.
Use a tripod
Mounting your camera on a tripod keeps the camera steady and stable for clearer shots.
Choose natural lighting
Take photos near a large window with daylight streaming in. Or go outside on an overcast day to avoid harsh shadows.
Dress the part
Wear professional clothing and make sure your grooming and makeup look polished, but avoid anything over the top.
Look at the lens
Direct your gaze straight ahead into the center of the camera lens for an engaging look.
Take multiple shots
Snap 10-20 photos and review them to choose the best ones. Slight variations in framing or expression can make a difference.
Edit judiciously
You can do some light editing to crop the image or adjust contrast and color. But avoid using filters or distorting your appearance.
Where to Have a LinkedIn Photo Taken
If hiring a professional photographer, you have several options for where to have your LinkedIn headshots taken:
At a photography studio
Photography studios offer ideal controlled environments with proper backgrounds and lighting setups.
Corporate office
Some corporate offices bring in photographers to take employee headshots onsite.
On location
A photographer can come to your office or desired location to photograph you there.
Public places
Parks, buildings, downtown areas, or other public spots allow for a range of backdrops.
In your home
Natural window lighting in a room works well. Just make sure the background is minimal.
Commercial venues
Places like co-working spaces sometimes offer professional photography as an add-on service.
How Much Should You Spend?
Professional LinkedIn profile photo shoots typically range from $100-$400 depending on the photographer’s rates and your location. Here are some typical costs:
- $100-150 for basic shoot with a few edited digital photos
- $200-300 for more extensive shoot with multiple outfit changes and location changes
- $300-400+ for premium photographers or studio experience
It’s worth investing in a high quality headshot since it’s often the first impression people will have of you. But even budget options around $100 can yield great results.
Should You Update Your Photo Regularly?
As a best practice, plan to update your LinkedIn profile photo every few years or when you have a major change in roles or appearance. Reasons you may want to refresh your photo include:
- You changed jobs
- You want to maintain a current look
- Your skills or services expanded
- Your appearance changed significantly
- Your old photo is obsolete or low-quality
Customers and colleagues will appreciate seeing your most recent professional look. So don’t let your profile photo get more than 3-5 years outdated.
Photo Size and Specifications
LinkedIn profile photos must meet these size and technical requirements:
- Image file format: JPG or PNG recommended
- Minimum dimensions: 400 x 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square shape)
- File Size: At least 400 KB recommended
- Head and shoulders must be visible
Review the dimensions, crop your photo accordingly if needed, and save it at the highest resolution possible for best image quality.
Where to Upload Your Photo
Uploading your profile photo on LinkedIn is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Click on your profile icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage
- Click “View profile”
- Find and click the camera icon to change your photo
- Select your photo file from your computer to upload
- Preview and crop/edit your photo as needed
- Click “Save” to apply your new profile photo
Your new photo will then appear on your profile for all to see. Be sure to choose the “Public” option when uploading your photo if you want everyone to be able to view it. The “Connections only” option will limit visibility to just people in your network.
Conclusion
Choosing the right LinkedIn profile photo is crucial for portraying a professional image and getting your profile noticed. A properly composed headshot in business attire is the standard recommendation. Invest in a quality photographer if possible, but you can also take great photos yourself with care and planning.
Keep your photo current within the past few years and change it up any time your appearance or career changes significantly. With an appropriate, high-quality headshot on your LinkedIn profile, you’ll put your best face forward to the business world.