Having an effective LinkedIn profile is crucial for establishing your professional brand and attracting opportunities. One of the most important elements of your LinkedIn profile is your photo, as it’s often the first thing people notice. So should you look directly into the camera for your LinkedIn profile picture? There are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.
The Case for Looking Into the Camera
Here are some potential benefits of looking directly into the camera lens for your LinkedIn profile photo:
- Makes you appear more friendly and approachable – Looking directly at the viewer rather than off to the side helps you appear warm, engaging, and interested in connecting.
- Allows you to make eye contact – By looking into the camera, you can make virtual eye contact with anyone who views your profile. This helps establish rapport and trust.
- Shows confidence – Direct eye contact requires confidence and conveys self-assurance. This can denote strong interpersonal skills.
- Focuses attention on you – Your face will be the central focal point if you look directly into the camera rather than looking off in another direction.
- Prevents distracted appearance – Looking askance may make you seem distracted and disengaged.
Some experts recommend looking directly into the camera lens and maintaining eye contact. Doing so can help you appear attentive, interested, and focused. It’s a simple way to demonstrate confidence and composure.
The Case Against Looking Into the Camera
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider with direct eye contact in a LinkedIn photo:
- May appear intimidating – Direct eye contact can come across as aggressive or intense, which could undermine approachability.
- Feels unnatural – Many people feel uncomfortable maintaining eye contact for photos, feeling it’s abnormal or forced.
- Doesn’t reflect real interactions – In actual conversations, we break eye contact periodically rather than staring continuously.
- Appears staged – Aiming your gaze directly into the camera lens may look overly posed and inauthentic.
- Lacks visual interest – A straight-to-camera shot can be boring compared to more dynamic perspectives.
Some professionals caution against staring intensely into the camera, worrying it could make you appear unapproachable or insincere. A stare may also feel at odds with real-world interactions.
Tips for Looking Into the Camera
If you do choose to look into the camera, here are some tips for doing it effectively:
- Relax your face – Don’t stare in a forced, tense manner. Keep your expression natural.
- Make brief eye contact – You can look directly into the lens briefly rather than the entire time.
- Use a slight smile – A subtle, warm smile can offset any harshness from direct eye contact.
- Show friendly eyes – Keep your eyes open, alert, and approachable.
- Shoot candidly – Take many shots and select a natural, candid feeling photo.
- Crop creatively – Use cropping to focus just on your face, eyes, and expression.
Avoid a cold, rigid stare. The key is looking open, genuine, and relaxed as you make a direct but brief connection with the viewer.
Alternatives to Direct Eye Contact
If you’re uncomfortable looking right into the camera or want a less posed shot, here are some alternatives:
- Look slightly off-center – Aim your gaze just beside the camera lens.
- Focus on something else – Look at an object, prop, or point of interest outside the frame.
- Convey emotion – Focus your eyes in a way that conveys a positive feeling like optimism or determination.
- Cut off your gaze – Get close and cropped so just your eyes, brow, and part of your face fill the frame.
- Add environmental elements – Interact with surroundings so you’re not just staring blankly.
- Shoot candidly – Capture natural expressions as you engage in real activities.
These approaches can help you appear more natural, dimensional, and genuine while still keeping your face forward-facing in the shot.
Examples of Effective LinkedIn Photos
Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn profile photos shot from different angles:
Photo Example | Analysis |
---|---|
The subject looks directly but warmly into the camera lens with a friendly smile. Her relaxed expression connects with the viewer. | |
Though not making eye contact, the subject faces the camera and conveys confidence and approachability. The warm smile engages viewers. | |
With environmental elements surrounding him, the subject makes brief but meaningful eye contact that looks natural rather than forced. |
All three examples keep the subject forward-facing while avoiding a distracting or intimidating stare into the lens. The expressions are pleasant and approachable.
The Professional Headshot Formula
One formula photographers recommend for professional headshots is:
- Make eye contact with camera for 2-3 seconds
- Break eye contact and look slightly off-center for 2-3 seconds
- Repeat sequence at different focal lengths
- Select the best natural looking photos
This allows you to connect briefly with the viewer then break to convey normal interaction patterns. Mixing eye contact with off-center shots gives options for choosing the most approachable, lifelike image.
Tips to Appear Confident and Trustworthy
Beyond your gaze, there are other tips for appearing confident, credible, and connected in your LinkedIn photo:
- Wear professional attire in a style true to yourself
- Smile warmly without forcing an unnatural expression
- Adopt an open body posture, unfurling arms
- Make sure head and shoulders fill the frame
- Ensure optimal lighting conditions to avoid shadows
- Pick a clear, neutral background free of distractions
- Maintain excellent posture by straightening your spine
- Have photo taken at chest level angle, not lower
- Crop image closely around head and shoulders
- Pick a high quality camera and professional photographer
Your posture, expression, attire, framing, lighting, and other factors contribute greatly to the impression conveyed with your LinkedIn profile photograph.
Should You Update Your Photo Regularly?
Some experts recommend updating your LinkedIn profile photo every few years. Reasons to refresh your photo periodically include:
- Appearance changes over time as you age
- You want photos reflecting your latest professional role
- Fashion and styles evolve over the years
- You want to maintain a recent, up-to-date appearance
- You’ve grown facial hair or changed hairstyles
- Your photo quality standards have improved
- You want images conveying your current personality and mindset
Aim for a photo no more than 2-3 years old. Outdated photos can undermine perceptions of your professionalism. But avoid updating too frequently, as consistency has value too.
Should You Smile or Look Serious?
There is debate around whether to smile in a LinkedIn profile photo. Here are perspectives on both approaches:
Reasons to Smile:
- Appears more friendly, approachable, and warm
- Conveys positivity about connecting with others
- Shows confidence and authenticity
- Preferred in most western cultures
- Aligns with LinkedIn being a networking platform
Reasons for Serious Expression:
- Can project professional gravitas and depth
- Aligns with a more corporate, reserved culture fit
- Conveys wisdom, intelligence and sincerity
- Models the serious image required in some roles
- Smiling could seem inappropriate given global suffering
In general, a pleasant warm smile strikes the right tone for LinkedIn. But consider your profession and aim when determining facial expression. Stay authentic to your personal brand and objectives.
Should You Make Eye Contact in a Video Introduction?
The same debate around eye contact applies for LinkedIn video introductions. Here are some best practices:
- Make periodic eye contact rather than no eye contact
- Break eye contact regularly by looking around
- Shift your gaze naturally between camera, notes, and props
- Don’t force an uncomfortable stare into the lens
- Convey energy and interest through engaged facial expressions
- Remember viewers won’t maintain constant eye contact either
- Get feedback from others on what eye contact approach looks best
Aim for eye contact that feels natural, taking pressure off needing to stare intensely. Focus on delivering an authentic, compelling introduction.
Conclusion
The ideal LinkedIn profile photo features you looking confident, credible and approachable. While direct eye contact can convey engagement, avoiding an overly forced stare into the camera lens prevents appearing unnatural. Seek brief, natural eye contact balanced with looking organically around the frame. Complement your gaze with positive facial expressions and body language. Regularly update your photo to reflect your current professional stature and personal brand. Follow these best practices, while staying authentic to your own style, to make meaningful connections across the LinkedIn platform.