Your LinkedIn profile photo gets more views than any other photo you’ll ever take. It’s your digital handshake, your first impression, and honestly? Most people get it wrong.

I see it every day: cropped wedding photos, blurry iPhone selfies, photos from 10 years ago, or worse - no photo at all. Let’s fix that.

The LinkedIn Profile Photo Formula

After photographing hundreds of professionals for LinkedIn, here’s what works:

Framing: Head and shoulders, with your face taking up about 60% of the frame. LinkedIn crops to a circle, so too much empty space = tiny face.

Eye Contact: Look directly at the camera. This is not the time for artistic side angles. Direct eye contact = approachable and confident.

Smile: A genuine smile makes you look friendly and competent. Nobody wants to connect with someone who looks miserable or overly serious.

Current: Your photo should look like you’d look if someone met you for coffee tomorrow. Not 5 years ago, not 20 pounds ago. Now.

Common LinkedIn Photo Mistakes

The Crop Job: Cropping yourself out of a group photo or wedding photo looks unprofessional. We can see your cousin’s arm around you.

The Vacation Shot: Your beach sunset headshot might be gorgeous, but LinkedIn isn’t Instagram. Keep it professional.

The AI-Generated Headshot: These are getting better, but they still have that uncanny valley problem. People can tell, and it raises questions about your authenticity.

The iPhone Selfie: Selfie angles are unflattering. The camera distorts your face and screams “I didn’t invest in my professional image.”

What Actually Works

A professional headshot taken by someone who knows lighting, posing, and how to make you look natural is worth every penny. Because here’s the truth:

People scroll LinkedIn making snap judgments. Your photo either makes them want to click your profile or keep scrolling. That’s it. That’s the game.

A great LinkedIn photo shows you’re:

  • Professional enough to invest in your image
  • Approachable and confident
  • Current and relevant in your field
  • Someone worth connecting with

The Bottom Line

Your LinkedIn profile photo is working for you 24/7. It’s in recruiters’ searches, potential clients’ feeds, and networking introductions. Make it count.

Ready to upgrade your LinkedIn presence with a professional headshot? I’ll make sure you look confident, approachable, and professionally polished. Book your session today.