Having a professional LinkedIn photo is crucial for making a good first impression online. With more job search and networking happening through LinkedIn, your profile photo acts as your digital first impression when connecting with new people.
The good news is that with some preparation and effort, you can take a quality headshot photo right at home that looks just as professional as photos taken in a studio. Follow this guide to learn tips for taking a professional LinkedIn profile photo in your own home.
Why You Need a Professional LinkedIn Photo
Here are some key reasons why investing time into getting a high-quality LinkedIn profile photo is worth the effort:
- It makes your profile stand out and look more professional.
- It builds credibility and trust when connecting with new people.
- It represents your personal brand and image as a professional.
- It gives you confidence when networking and applying for jobs.
- It aligns with LinkedIn’s profile best practices for optimizing your presence.
Research by LinkedIn has found that profiles with photos receive 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages than those without. The data clearly shows the power of having a professional profile photo.
Preparing Your Home for a LinkedIn Photo Shoot
To set yourself up for success, you’ll need to scout locations around your home that could work well for a LinkedIn photo backdrop. Here are some tips for preparing your home:
- Look for areas with ample natural lighting, such as next to large windows or glass doors.
- Avoid having visible clutter or distracting background elements.
- Plain white walls work best as a backdrop.
- Make sure the area is clean and tidy for shooting.
- Have a surface like a table or bookshelf for propping up your phone/camera.
- Clear out space so you have room to take different shots.
- Check the location at the time you plan to shoot to ensure flattering lighting.
Once you select your backdrop, do a test shoot to see how it looks on camera. Examine the photos and make any tweaks to perfect the setting.
What to Wear for Your At-Home LinkedIn Photo
Putting some thought into your wardrobe can make a big difference in looking polished and professional for your LinkedIn photo at home. Keep these clothing tips in mind:
- Opt for solid neutrals and darker colors (black, navy, grey) as these are most flattering.
- Avoid busy patterns or distracting prints.
- Wear clothes that fit well and are neatly pressed.
- For men, wear a collared shirt, blazer, or suit jacket.
- For women, a blouse, blazer, or cardigan looks professional.
- Make sure clothes are consistent with your industry and professional role.
The key is choosing clothing that helps you look and feel confident while presenting a polished appearance.
How to Position Yourself in Front of the Camera
Carefully setting up your pose and positioning is vital for an attractive LinkedIn photo.
Stand vs Sit: Standing with good posture projects confidence and authority. However, sitting down can help you relax and look more approachable. Try out both options and see what messaging you prefer.
Facial Expression: Aim for a genuine, warm smile that reaches your eyes to connect with viewers. Avoid awkward grins or tense expressions.
Eye Contact: Make eye contact directly with the camera lens to create a feeling of engagement and approachability.
Angle: Take shots slightly above eye level by propping your phone up on books or a box. Angling down is more flattering than shooting straight on.
Hands & Arms: Let your arms hang naturally at your sides or position hands on your lap. Don’t cross your arms, which can look closed off.
Lean In: Subtly position your body toward the camera rather than standing square on for a more dynamic shot.
Head Tilt: Tilting your head slightly upwards projects confidence, while a slight sideways tilt can look thoughtful and approachable.
Take some test shots and review them to refine your pose for the most professional results.
Smartphone Camera Settings for LinkedIn Photos
The latest smartphone cameras are capable of capturing crisp, high-quality photos perfect for a LinkedIn profile. Here are some key camera settings to use:
- Turn on gridlines to properly frame and center yourself.
- Tap the screen to focus on your face to keep it sharp.
- Use portrait mode to create a blurred background for focusing on you.
- Select a resolution of at least 1080×1920 pixels for clarity.
- Opt for the rear camera which typically has higher megapixels than the front camera.
- Make sure there is adequate light so you don’t have to use flash.
You may want to manually adjust exposure, contrast, and color saturation to optimize the look and feel of your photos.
How to Take Flattering LinkedIn Photos
Follow these tips when snapping photos for your LinkedIn profile:
- Take at least 100 photos to have plenty of options to choose from.
- Capture different poses, expressions, and angles for variety.
- Check photos as you take them to make adjustments and spot issues.
- Focus on getting good headshots before trying close-up or full body.
- Photo shoot in short 10-15 minute sessions to stay energized and patient.
- Change up your clothing, accessories, or background between sessions.
- Practice smiling naturally right up to the moment you snap the photo.
Review all your photos afterward and delete any that are too dark, blurry, or have technical issues. Then pick out the ones where you look your best.
Editing Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
Post-processing your chosen photo can give it extra polish and professionalism. Try these editing techniques:
- Cropping: Crop tightly around your head and shoulders for ideal framing.
- Brightness/Contrast: Adjust to achieve balanced lighting on your face.
- Saturation: Make subtle saturation boosts for more vivid, lively color.
- Sharpening: Add light sharpening so details like eyes are crisp and clear.
- Noise Reduction: Minimize graininess or speckles for a smooth finish.
- Blemish Removal: Lightly remove obvious facial imperfections if needed.
Aim for edits that look natural. Overdoing it can make your photo appear obviously edited and fake.
Good LinkedIn Photo Editing | Bad LinkedIn Photo Editing |
---|---|
Subtle improvements to lighting and color | Heavy-handed filtering that looks artificial |
Light smoothing and blemish removal | Aggressive airbrushing that removes your natural facial features |
Slight sharpening for added clarity | Oversharpening that makes details look unnatural |
Use editing judiciously to get your photo looking its best while retaining a sense of authenticity.
LinkedIn Photo Size and Specs
To ensure your photo meets LinkedIn’s requirements, check that:
- The file format is JPG or PNG.
- The aspect ratio is 1:1 (square photo).
- The file size is under 8 MB.
- The dimensions are at least 400×400 pixels.
Resize or crop your photo as needed to fit these specs before uploading to LinkedIn.
How to Take a Professional LinkedIn Photo Outside
Natural lighting photographed outside can also yield fantastic LinkedIn photos. Here are some tips if shooting outdoors:
- Shoot during sunrise or sunset when lighting is soft and warm.
- Face so the sun is behind the camera, not behind you.
- Avoid having visible shadows on your face or body.
- Use a north-facing window for ample, even light.
- Cloudy days create ideal diffused lighting.
- Stand under a tree or awning for soft, filtered light.
Position yourself in flattering outdoor lighting for vibrant, eye-catching profile photos.
Should I Hire a Professional Photographer?
While it is possible to take great LinkedIn photos yourself, hiring a professional photographer is recommended if you want premium results. Benefits of professional LinkedIn headshots include:
- Access to high-end cameras, lighting, and lenses for top-notch image quality.
- Knowledge of posing techniques and directions tailored for you.
- Wider range of settings and backdrops for unique shots.
- Years of experience spotting and troubleshooting photo issues.
- Artistic perspective to capture you at your very best.
- Efficient sessions with hundreds of quality images to select from.
Professional photographers may charge $100-$500 per session depending on service options. While an investment, high-quality photos can be invaluable for making career connections.
LinkedIn Photo Tips for Avoiding Mistakes
To prevent common photo mistakes, keep in mind:
- Don’t use group shots, cartoon avatars, or logos.
- Avoid wearing white or strongly patterned clothing.
- Don’t show busy or distracting backgrounds.
- Watch for red eyes from camera flash.
- Ensure your entire face and head are fully visible.
- Prevent shadows or uneven lighting on your face.
- Don’t crop your head or cut off the top of your hair.
- Check for closed eyes, awkward expressions, or blinking.
Reviewing your photos closely ensures you catch any imperfections or problems. You always want to put your best face forward.
Conclusion
Following these expert tips makes taking impressive, professional-grade LinkedIn photos at home simple and achievable. Invest time into photo sessions, thoughtful positioning and posing, flattering lighting, and post-processing for stellar results.
While DIY LinkedIn headshots require effort, they enable you to refresh your profile photo anytime to always put your best face forward online. Just be sure to avoid common photo mistakes and check that your picture meets LinkedIn’s specifications.
With a vibrant, high-quality profile photo that captures you at your professional best, you’ll make outstanding first impressions that could lead to exciting career connections and opportunities. The effort to take an expert LinkedIn photo at home is well worth it.