Having an attractive LinkedIn profile picture is important for making a good first impression on potential employers and connections. Your photo will likely be one of the first things people notice when viewing your profile, so putting some thought into how you present yourself can go a long way. Here are some tips to help you look your best in your LinkedIn photos.
Use a High-Quality Headshot
A professional headshot is the gold standard for LinkedIn photos. This means an image taken by a photographer, with you as the sole focus, on a plain background. Selfies, group shots, or photos cropped from vacation pictures don’t send the right message—you want the focus to be completely on you.
Investing in professional headshots pays off in the long run by making you look polished, put-together, and serious about your career. If hiring a photographer isn’t in your budget, ask a friend with a DSLR camera and photography skills to take some portraits of you. Or, set up a DIY photo station with proper lighting and a remote shutter release for your camera.
Dress Professionally
Even though it’s just a headshot, you’ll still want to dress the part to bring your professionalism to life. For men, a suit and tie or blazer creates a polished look. For women, a blazer or cardigan over a blouse or sheath dress gives off an executive vibe. Stay away from distracting prints or loud colors—you want the focus to be on you, not your outfit.
Make sure your clothes are neatly pressed and wrinkle-free. Little details like rumpled collars can undermine the professional image you’re trying to project. And don’t forget to style your hair neatly and go light on accessories like jewelry and scarves.
Pay Attention to Posture and Expression
Minding your posture and facial expression contributes just as much to the impression you make as your wardrobe. Sit or stand up straight to convey confidence. Keep your chin parallel to the ground and relax your shoulders.
For your expression, a subtle smile is the way to go. A tense, tight-lipped stare or a broad grin both diminish your professionalism. Relax your face and think of something that makes you smile naturally to capture a pleasant, genuine-looking expression.
Also be mindful not to tilt your head at an angle—keeping it level makes you appear balanced and poised. The one exception is if you have a noticeable bald spot or receding hairline—in that case, slight angle can help minimize the issue.
Check the Background
While the focus should be on you, don’t neglect considering the background. A professional backdrop of an office or plain wall is ideal. If taking photos outdoors, make sure there aren’t any distracting elements in the background.
Also avoid backgrounds that are too casual, like your living room. You want to project an image of competence, not your hobby of collecting Star Wars merch. Make sure the area behind you is clean and uncluttered as well.
Mind the Camera Angle
The angle at which your photo is taken matters too. Straight on is preferable, but if you want to minimize a double chin or other facial feature, have the camera shoot slightly above your eye level. Just don’t exaggerate the angle to the point you appear distorted.
Keep your chin down slightly and your eyes focused on the camera lens for the most flattering perspective. This creates the effect of making eye contact with the viewer.
Check Lighting and Color Balance
Proper lighting brings out your features and adds a professional gloss to your photo. Soft, even lighting from the front minimizes shadows. Natural lighting near a window creates appealing effects.
Avoid lighting only from one side or above, as the shadows can be unflattering. Too much backlighting also darkens facial features. The best set up is lighting from both front and sides.
As for color balance, aim for accurate skin tones and a soft background to make sure the focus stays on you. Cool tones add an icy cast, while warm tones can make your face look shiny or orange. Overhead lighting is most likely to produce unnatural effects.
Do: Soft Focus and Black & White
Subtle photo editing and filters can maximize a professional look. A slight soft focus effect or black and white filter minimizes small skin imperfections and brings all the emphasis to your face and expression.
Of course, don’t go overboard with filtering. You want to look great but also recognizable and true to life. The edits should enhance your appearance, not dramatically alter it.
Don’t: Wacky Poses or Props
Although you want a natural looking photo, avoid any exaggerated expressions or poses. No big toothy grins with your head thrown back. No kissing faces or funny hand gestures.
Props like pets, cocktails, sunglasses, or musical instruments also detract from your professionalism, so leave them out of the shot. The same goes for heavy makeup, visible tattoos, or distracting jewelry.
Any of these elements take away from showcasing a polished, business-minded version of yourself. Keep the accessories minimal and the pose simple and straightforward.
Use a Current Photo
Along with making sure your photo is high quality and professional, it also needs to be up to date. Using a picture from 5 or 10 years ago presents an inaccurate image that doesn’t align with who you are today.
If viewers were to meet you in person, you want to match your profile photo as closely as possible. That way they feel like they’re meeting the person they connected with online.
Plan to refresh your profile picture every few years at minimum. Otherwise you risk looking outdated or making people feel misled when they do connect with you.
Customize for Each Platform
While you want consistent branding across networks, customize your LinkedIn photo to best align with the platform. A picture cropped to work as your Facebook profile picture, for example, probably shows you from the shoulders up.
For LinkedIn, pull the crop in even tighter to be just your head and shoulders. This puts all emphasis on your face rather than your clothing. The tighter framing also makes your image prominent in the small profile thumbnails.
Conclusion
Putting thought into your LinkedIn profile photo pays off through presenting your best professional image. A high-quality headshot, proper posing, ideal lighting, and strategic photo editing gives you a polished look.
Investing some time and effort up front is well worth it for establishing credibility and making the right first impression across your network.
With these tips in mind, you can feel confident presenting an image that portrays your experience, competence, and personal brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I smile or look serious in my LinkedIn photo?
The best approach is a pleasant but subtle smile. You want to look confident yet friendly. Avoid an overly broad grin, which can come across as unprofessional. A serious expression can make you seem standoffish. The sweet spot is a slight upturn to your lips that seems genuinely warm.
What style of clothes should I wear?
Wear attire you would choose for an in-person job interview. For most fields, that means business or business casual attire in dark, muted colors. A nice blouse or button-down shirt is safer than anything low-cut or tightly fitted. Take cues from successful people in your desired industry.
Should I include props like books or eyeglasses?
It’s best to avoid props, which tend to look gimmicky. The focus should be entirely on you. Eyeglasses are okay if you actually require them for vision correction, but avoid costume glasses or novelty frames. Any items you hold could be distracting.
What background should I use?
A neutral or blurred background is ideal, to keep emphasis on you. An office or plain wall makes for an appropriate backdrop. Make sure there is nothing messy or inappropriate visible in the background area you choose.
How often should I update my profile photo?
Plan to update your LinkedIn profile photo at least every two to three years. You want it to accurately reflect your age and appearance. More frequent updating is fine if you have new professional headshots taken. Just don’t change it so often that connections can’t recognize you.
Tips for an Eye-Catching LinkedIn Profile Picture
Tip | Reason |
---|---|
Get a professional headshot | Conveys professionalism and seriousness |
Wear professional attire | Matches your brand and industry |
Pay attention to posture | Projects confidence and approachability |
Mind the background | Avoids distracting or inappropriate elements |
Check lighting and color | Brings out your best features |
Use soft focus filters | Minimizes imperfections |
Crop tightly | Puts emphasis on face |
Update photo regularly | Shows your current look |
Mistakes to Avoid in Your LinkedIn Photo
Don’t: | Why: |
---|---|
Use casual photos | Look unprofessional |
Include other people | Focuses attention |
Use old photos | Misleading about appearance |
Wear bold prints or colors | Can be distracting |
Use excessive filters | Look artificial |
Make exaggerated faces | Seem informal |
Wear heavy makeup | Washes you out |
Show messy backgrounds | Looks unprofessional |
Example Profile Photos
Here are some examples of ideal LinkedIn profile pictures compared with photos to avoid:
Do: | Don’t: |
---|---|
The “Do” photos project professionalism through attire, expression, posture, and composition. The “Don’t” photos appear too casual, exaggerated, or distracting.
Tips for Taking Your Own LinkedIn Photo
If hiring a professional photographer isn’t an option, you can still take a quality headshot yourself with a little preparation:
- Use a DSLR camera if possible for best image quality.
- Make sure there is ample lighting from the front to avoid shadows.
- Frame as a close headshot – head, neck, and shoulders in view.
- Look directly into the camera lens for an engaging gaze.
- Take photos from a low angle for a slimming effect.
- Use a remote shutter release or timer to avoid blur.
- Shoot in burst mode and select the best frames.
- Crop image closely around your head and shoulders.
While a professional headshot is still ideal, these tips will help you get the best possible photo if you have to go the DIY route. Just remember to project professionalism in your attire, expression, and background.