LinkedIn Profile Photos That Actually Work
As a Washington branding photographer, one of the most common requests I get from clients is to create a knockout headshot for them to use on their LinkedIn profile and for other professional uses, and I’m happy to help! With my background in marketing, I know the impact that great branding images can have, and according to LinkedIn themselves, having a profile photo makes your profile 14 times more likely to get clicks.
The question is, what is it that makes a fantastic LinkedIn profile photo? I know you might be tempted, but no matter how good you look in that photo you took on your latest night out with friends, cropping it to your head and shoulders won’t cut it. You need a headshot that has been intentionally designed and photographed for your professional image, and these are the key qualities you need.
A Glimpse Into Your Personality
Your profile picture isn’t just a photo that flatters you, it’s the first impression that many potential clients will have of you and your business. It should be well-crafted to portray you in the specific ways you want to present yourself as a professional, whether that’s friendly, approachable, elite, powerful, etc. That will depend on your brand and how you want colleagues and clients to perceive you, and I’m an expert in dialing in on your brand in your photo shoot.
A Balance of Aesthetics and Authenticity
I get it, we all want our headshot that makes us feel confident and that we feel great about, and I’ll make sure that yours fits the bill. But a common mistake is to get so focused on making yourself look better in the photo, whether it’s through a ton of makeup, editing, or AI enhancements, that you eventually don’t look like yourself. The happy medium can be tricky to find, but a good photographer can capture your best side while still making sure that when you make a new contact online and they walk in for their first meeting, they’ll be able to recognize you.
A Real Photo of You…Not an AI Approximation
I know that AI headshots have become popular and that they’re easy to make, but the unfortunate truth is that they don’t do you any favors. They’re typically easy to spot, even for people who don’t know you (and especially for people who have met you in person). And using an AI headshot sends messages about you to others, whether they’re true or not, such as:
That you take shortcuts
That you might not be who you say you are, since your profile isn’t actually a photo of you
That you may overuse AI or trust it too highly
In the competitive world of online networking, unfortunately, you’ll probably never get the chance to rebut those first impressions because people will simply pass you by.
Getting an Effective and On-Brand Headshot for LinkedIn
When it comes down to it, if you want to invest in yourself and your business or career, there’s just no replacement for a custom headshot taken by a branding photographer who has gotten to know you and your goals. If you’re in the Mercer Island or Seattle area, that’s me! Contact Jaimié Birtel Photography to plan your session.
