One of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile is your headshot. This is the first photo recruiters see of you when they click on your profile, so it should showcase you at your best. But how do you choose the right photo?
You could pay a photographer to take one, but headshots can cost hundreds of dollars. If you don’t have that kind of money, here are four other ways to get a LinkedIn headshot that are just as effective:
Use a photo you already have
If you just created your LinkedIn account or you haven’t thought much about your profile photo until now, then you should start by uploading a photo you already have. It doesn’t have to be great, but it should clearly show your face and shoulders.
Why bother? According to LinkedIn, profiles with a photo get 21 times more views and 9 times more connection requests. You want to attract as many views as possible to get the most out of LinkedIn, so start by uploading a recent photo of yourself as a placeholder.
Attend a school-sponsored headshot event
If you’re a college student, you may be able to get your photo taken at a school-sponsored LinkedIn headshot event. Many colleges and universities are hiring professional photographers to take students’ LinkedIn photos for free, so take advantage if yours is one of them.
Try asking friends in other majors if they know of any headshot events; if your college has a business school, that’s a good place to start. You can also check the website for your school’s career center or pay them a visit and ask in person. Get a quality headshot, make the most of your tuition dollars, and learn more about what your school has to offer - it’s a win-win-win!
Reach out to the photography department
Another strategy is to reach out to students in your school’s photography department. Ask around or post in a few Facebook groups; don’t be afraid to reach out to people you don’t know. Consider offering a small reward for their help, such as buying the photographer lunch after the shoot or exchanging your own services, such as an essay proofreader. Many students are happy to practice shooting portraits, and who knows? Your headshot may be the perfect new addition to their portfolio or class project.
If you’re not in college, try asking your friends for help. Maybe a coworker has a secret passion for photography; your headshot could be the one that launches their side hustle!
Take your own picture or ask a friend to help
See if any of your friends or fellow students also need LinkedIn photos. Offer to take their photo if they will take yours. This is a great way to meet new people or strike up a conversation with someone you’ve been meaning to talk to. If you can’t find anyone to take your picture, take matters into your own hands and take it yourself with a tripod and your camera’s self-timer function.
Whether a friend takes your picture or you take the picture yourself, you don’t need any photography experience or even a camera – here are our tips for taking the perfect headshot:
If you have a newer iPhone, take advantage of Portrait Mode. Portrait Mode is a setting within the Camera app that allows you to take stunning, professional-quality portraits. You can even change the lighting by scrolling through Apple’s pre-selected settings. This is an easy way to ensure that your headshot is sophisticated and inviting.
Lighting is crucial. A photo with good lighting is more pleasant and easier to look at. The best lighting is natural light from a window. Stand facing the window and avoid dark rooms or harsh, fluorescent lightbulbs to get better results.
Wear professional clothing. A suit isn’t necessary, but aim for business casual. Stick to solid colors or basic patterns; anything louder will take away from the rest of your headshot. Also, wear smaller jewelry to minimize distractions.
Keep the background simple. As with your clothing, your background should be plain and not distract from the rest of the photo. A solid-color wall is the best backdrop. If you don’t have one where you live or you can’t find one in a less-busy area, try hanging up a scarf or tapestry temporarily while you take your headshot.
What NOT to do
When taking a headshot, here are some things to avoid:
Don’t upload a grainy or low quality photo. This makes you look unprofessional and unreliable. To avoid lowering the quality of your headshot, don’t use zoom or flash and try not to crop too much out of the photo.
Don’t upload an obvious selfie. Instead, have someone else take the photo for you, use a tripod, or prop your phone up on some books or a piece of furniture and use the self-timer in the Camera app.
Finally, don’t over-filter your headshot. It’s fine to adjust the photo a little bit after you take it, but try not to go overboard. You want your headshot to look modern and relaxed; too many filters can make it look dated and stiff.
Editing software
Now that you’ve taken the perfect headshot, you may want to use an editing software to clean it up. Photoshop is one of the most common photo editing softwares, but it can be costly. Try the free or low-cost alternatives mentioned in these articles instead:
Lifewire’s list of 23 free online photo editors
Shopify’s 25 best free and paid photo editor softwares and apps
With these tips and tricks, you can take a LinkedIn headshot that is sure to attract the attention of recruiters and fellow employees alike. Standing out on social media is no easy task, but having a good headshot is a great start!
Photo Credit: This Love Studio