Headshots for LinkedIn: What Works and What Doesn’t
/In today’s digital-first professional world, your LinkedIn profile often serves as your first impression. Before someone meets you in person, before they read your resume, and even before they read your bio, they’re noticing your headshot. That small square image at the top of your profile can make or break a connection, yet so many professionals underestimate its importance.
Having a great LinkedIn headshot is more than just a nice picture; it’s a strategic personal branding tool. A strong professional headshot communicates confidence, competence, and approachability—all essential qualities for building a network and opening doors in your industry. On the other hand, a poorly executed image can send the wrong signals and undermine your personal brand.
In this article, we’ll explore what works and what doesn’t when it comes to LinkedIn headshots, so you can make sure your first impression is the right one.
If you want to see examples of professional headshots, check out our portfolio.
What Works in a LinkedIn Headshot
1. Professional Quality is Key
Your LinkedIn headshot is not a casual selfie or a cropped vacation photo. Professional photography ensures the right lighting, sharp focus, flattering angles, and accurate color balance. Investing in a professional headshot signals to others that you value quality and professionalism, which reflects positively on your personal brand.
To learn more about the difference a professional headshot makes, visit our services page.
2. Focus on Your Face
LinkedIn headshots should primarily feature your face and shoulders. Cropping too wide or including distracting elements in the background reduces the impact of your image. A clean, simple background allows viewers to focus on your expression and overall presence.
3. Express Approachability
Body language and facial expressions matter. A slight smile or relaxed expression can convey warmth and approachability, while a rigid or overly serious look may create distance. The goal is to appear confident yet approachable—someone colleagues and clients would want to engage with.
4. Dress for Your Brand
What you wear in your headshot should align with your professional identity. For corporate roles, traditional business attire works best; for creative industries, professional casual may be appropriate. Avoid overly busy patterns or distracting accessories, and choose colors that complement your skin tone. The right outfit reinforces your personal brand without overshadowing you.
For tips on what to wear in a headshot session, see our wardrobe guide.
5. Keep It Current
A headshot should reflect your current appearance. Using outdated photos—sometimes even from years ago—can create a disconnect when you meet someone in person. Updating your LinkedIn headshot every 2–3 years, or after significant changes in appearance, ensures authenticity.
6. Consider Your Lighting
Good lighting can dramatically improve a headshot. Natural light or professionally set studio lighting produces soft, flattering results, reducing harsh shadows and highlighting your best features. Poor lighting, such as dark or uneven lighting, can make an otherwise strong photo look unprofessional.
What Doesn’t Work in a LinkedIn Headshot
1. Selfies or Casual Photos
While smartphones have improved drastically, selfies rarely capture a professional look. Selfies often distort facial features, produce unflattering angles, and lack polished lighting. Casual snapshots from social media, vacations, or personal events rarely translate well to professional contexts.
2. Distracting Backgrounds
Cluttered or overly busy backgrounds can pull attention away from your face. A messy office, crowded room, or bright patterns can make your headshot look unprofessional. Simple, neutral backgrounds or subtle environmental cues that reinforce your professional identity work best.
3. Overediting
Filters and heavy retouching can make your headshot appear unnatural. LinkedIn headshots should reflect your true self. Over-editing can create a disconnect between your online image and reality, potentially harming trust with colleagues, recruiters, or clients.
4. Inconsistent Branding
Your headshot should align with your broader professional brand. Using a playful, casual, or overly stylized image when your LinkedIn content and professional persona are formal can create confusion. Consistency is key; your headshot should reinforce, not contradict, your professional story.
5. Poor Framing or Composition
Headshots that are too far away, cut off awkwardly, or include unnecessary space above your head dilute the impact. Proper framing—head and shoulders in the frame, with the eyes roughly one-third from the top—ensures a strong visual presence and a more engaging image.
6. Ignoring Your Expression
Expression communicates more than clothing or background. Avoid looking bored, tired, or disengaged. A neutral or negative expression can unintentionally signal disinterest or aloofness. Aim for a confident, authentic, and approachable look that invites connection.
Tips for a Standout LinkedIn Headshot
Hire a Professional Photographer: While DIY options exist, professionals understand lighting, angles, and editing to create an image that truly represents you. Book your session today.
Prepare Your Wardrobe: Choose colors and styles that complement your professional persona. Bring a couple of outfit options if possible.
Mind Your Posture: Sit or stand tall with relaxed shoulders. Avoid slouching; confidence shows in body language.
Relax Your Face: Practice a natural smile in front of a mirror to find an authentic expression. A stiff or forced smile is easy to spot.
Test Lighting: If shooting yourself, position near a window or soft light source. Avoid harsh overhead lighting or backlighting that creates shadows.
Update Regularly: Keep your headshot current to reflect changes in appearance or career direction.
The Impact of a Great LinkedIn Headshot
A well-executed headshot goes beyond aesthetics—it’s a strategic tool in personal branding and professional networking. Recruiters spend mere seconds scanning profiles; your LinkedIn headshot can make them pause, click, and engage. For entrepreneurs and business owners, your headshot often serves as the visual centerpiece of your brand. It tells your audience, “I’m professional, approachable, and trustworthy.”
Investing in your LinkedIn headshot is an investment in your career. A strong professional image can open doors, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression that text alone cannot achieve.
See our full portfolio of professional headshots and book your session today.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headshot is more than a photo—it’s a branding statement. Avoid common pitfalls such as casual selfies, distracting backgrounds, overediting, and inconsistent branding. Instead, focus on professional quality, approachable expression, proper attire, and clean composition.
By taking the time to craft a headshot that truly represents your professional identity, you create an image that not only looks good but works hard for your career. After all, in a world where first impressions increasingly happen online, your LinkedIn headshot might just be the key to your next opportunity.
Schedule your professional headshot session today and elevate your personal brand.