Your LinkedIn profile photograph is often the very first impression somebody has of you professionally. Before reading your experience, qualifications or achievements, many people will immediately notice your profile picture first.
Whether you are:
- job hunting
- networking
- building a business
- attracting clients
- promoting yourself professionally
a strong LinkedIn headshot can make a surprisingly big difference.
Unfortunately, many LinkedIn profiles still use:
- outdated photographs
- cropped holiday pictures
- poor-quality phone selfies
- heavily filtered images
- overly casual photographs
A professional LinkedIn headshot should help you appear:
- approachable
- confident
- professional
- trustworthy
- current
Here are five important tips to help you choose a LinkedIn headshot that gets noticed for the right reasons.
1. Choose A Photograph That Actually Looks Like You
One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a photograph that no longer reflects how they currently look.
This often includes:
- very old photographs
- heavily edited images
- outdated hairstyles
- unrealistic filters
- photographs taken many years ago
Your LinkedIn headshot should feel natural and believable. When somebody meets you in person or joins a video call, they should instantly recognise you from your profile image.
Modern professional headshots work best when they feel:
- genuine
- current
- natural
- approachable
A good LinkedIn photograph does not need excessive retouching or dramatic editing. In many cases, a cleaner and more authentic image creates far more trust than an overly polished portrait.
2. Dress For The Industry You Work In
Your clothing plays an important role in shaping the overall impression your photograph creates.
Different industries naturally suit different styles.
For example:
- corporate professionals may benefit from more formal businesswear
- creatives often suit a more relaxed modern style
- self-employed business owners may prefer approachable smart-casual clothing
- performers and presenters may want something with slightly more personality
The key is making sure your clothing feels appropriate for both your industry and your personality.
Try to avoid:
- distracting patterns
- large logos
- overly bright colours
- heavily creased clothing
- anything that pulls attention away from your face
The photograph should focus primarily on YOU rather than the outfit itself.
3. Expression Matters More Than Perfect Posing
Many people worry too much about posing when preparing for professional headshots.
In reality, expression is usually far more important.
A relaxed and confident expression generally works much better on LinkedIn than:
- overly serious expressions
- exaggerated smiles
- forced poses
- stiff body language
People naturally respond better to photographs that feel approachable and genuine.
This does not mean every LinkedIn headshot needs a huge smile. Different professions and personalities suit different expressions. However, the image should still feel welcoming and professional rather than uncomfortable or overly posed.
A good photographer will normally help guide you through:
- posture
- positioning
- expression
- confidence
- natural interaction
so the final images feel relaxed and authentic.
4. Use A Clean, Professional Background
Your background should support the photograph rather than distract from it.
For LinkedIn headshots, simpler backgrounds often work best because they keep the attention focused on:
- your face
- expression
- professionalism
- eye contact
This could include:
- plain studio backgrounds
- softly blurred environments
- clean office settings
- subtle natural backdrops
The right background often depends on:
- your profession
- your branding
- your website style
- your personality
- how formal or relaxed you want the image to feel
A professional headshot does not always have to look overly corporate. Many modern LinkedIn portraits now feel slightly more relaxed and natural while still remaining professional.
5. Think Beyond Just One Profile Picture
Many people still think LinkedIn photography is simply about getting one decent headshot.
In reality, modern businesses and professionals often need a wider collection of professional images for:
- websites
- About Us pages
- social media
- press articles
- speaking events
- marketing material
- business promotion
This is where personal branding photography can become useful.
A professional branding session can create a mixture of:
- headshots
- working environment photographs
- relaxed lifestyle portraits
- website imagery
- marketing photographs
- social media content
Unfortunately, many photographers now market personal branding photography as little more than a glorified headshot session. Simply adding a laptop or coffee cup to a portrait does not automatically create meaningful branding photography.
Effective branding images should help communicate:
- who you are
- what you do
- your personality
- your professionalism
- your business identity
LinkedIn Headshots Manchester
At Headshots Manchester, professional LinkedIn and business headshot sessions are designed to feel relaxed, approachable and tailored around your individual profession and personality.
Many clients are not professional models and may initially feel nervous in front of the camera. Guidance is therefore provided throughout the session to help create photographs that feel natural, confident and authentic rather than stiff or overly posed.
Photography sessions take place at Leigh Spinners Mill, Greater Manchester, with clients regularly travelling from Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, Warrington and Cheshire for professional headshots, LinkedIn photography and personal branding sessions.
