Crafting the perfect headshot for LinkedIn |Rockville, MD headshot photography

In today’s digital world, your LinkedIn profile photo is the first thing people will see of you. This first impression is a crucial one when it comes to making connections and networking with your industry. If you’re in the Rockville, Maryland, or Washington D.C. area and want to level your Linkedin profile, read on for tips to help you look your best and some common things to avoid.

Professional Headshot of a female client wearing a black dress photographed on a grey backdrop.

Tips For The Best LinkedIn Headshot

  1. Dress for the job you want. We’ve all heard that before, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Pick your outfits carefully. Opt for more professional attire that represents the image that you want to project. Avoid wild patterns and colors that are too close to your skin tone. What are the best colors to wear for a headshot?

  2. Choose the best background. A clean simple, solid color backdrop is best for a LinkedIn headshot. We want to keep the focus on your face and expression and not the wild stuff that is going on behind you. Shooting outdoors is the same, choosing a clean backdrop that doesn’t have wild color shifts or confusing shapes is best. When I shoot outdoors I always shoot to blur the background that way any distracting elements are not sharp and just blend together.

  3. Professional Lighting. This is a make-it-or-break-it point for me. Bad lighting can really destroy a photograph quickly. I see so many pictures of people standing directly under a light source and their eyes look like racoon eyes. Not flattering. I use a 3 light triangle beauty lighting for women and people with tricky complexion. This lighting is very flattering and helps smooth out skin tone. I often use it with men too, just depends on the face in front of me. I use a two-light setup for men that offers a more chiseled and shadowed look.

  4. Expression. This is where the fun begins for me. I know most people hate having their photos taken and come into the studio anxious. Well, rest assured, it’s not your job to get this right or to know what you are doing, it’s mine. I will coach you every step of the way on your pose, your posture and your expression. I aim for an expression that shows confidence and approachability every time. You might hear me say something like “Give me your best turtle impression”, or “ dump the tension in your right pinkie toe”. What the heck!? I like to elicit expressions instead of ask for them.

  5. Select only the best images. During your session we will look at the photos and star favorites, At the end of the session we’ll look only at the favorites and begin to select the images you’d like to purchase. I will give as much input during this part as you’d like. If you are unsure of an image, dump it, there will be stronger ones. Pick only the very best images in the gallery.

Some Things To Avoid In Your Headshot Session

  1. Clothing that is wrinkled. Take the time to choose an outfit a day or two in advance. Get things dry-cleaned, pressed, or ironed and ready to go ahead of time. I have seen a number of people come in and pull 4 dress shirts out of a backpack. That does not look professional.

  2. Low Quality Images. We’ve all been in that situation where someone asks for a headshot and you’re like, dang, I don’t have one, I’ll just shoot a selfie in a dark-ass hallway under the orange recessed lights real quick. This is not going to cut it. Get your headshots done professionally, in high and web resolution. If you’re pressed for time, I can often get you in and photographed in about 30 minutes and get your image back to you the same day.

  3. Using outdated Photos. That headshot you took back when you were 20 does not look the same as you anymore. The best practice is to have your headshots re-done every year, especially if you use it a lot for marketing and people are going to see it. Nothing worse than looking at a headshot of someone and then seeing they’re 20 years older in person.

  4. Ignoring LinkedIn’s Image guidelines. To make sure that your professional headshot is looking its best, make sure you use the right image sizes in the right place. I provide high-resolution files for print marketing and web-sized files for your online and digital marketing. Make sure the right ones are being used so you don’t end up with pixelated images.

Your LinkedIn headshot is your digital business card. By following these tips and avoiding common pitfalls, you'll be well on your way to crafting a compelling LinkedIn profile that makes a lasting impression in the professional world. And if you're looking for a skilled headshot photographer in Rockville, MD, don't hesitate to reach out to me for a session that will help you look like a leader on LinkedIn. Your professional image matters, and I’m here to help you make it the best it can be.