Get a LinkedIn Headshot That Gets You Noticed

Find Your Best Light Source in 5 Minutes

Your phone’s camera is good enough. The light is not. I see this mistake in my studio every week. Someone spends $1,200 on a phone but takes their headshot in a dark kitchen. Your face gets lost.

Here’s a five-minute fix. Stand facing a window on a cloudy day or in the shade. No direct sun—it creates harsh raccoon shadows. If it’s night, use a lamp. Take it off the ceiling. Place it about three feet in front of you, slightly to one side, and raise it to just above your eye level. See how one side of your face is gently brighter? That’s your key light. The slight shadow on the other side adds shape. I once watched a client’s whole posture change when we moved from overhead lighting to window light; her shoulders dropped two inches as she stopped squinting.

What’s the biggest light error? Standing with a bright window behind you. Your camera exposes for the bright background and turns your face into a dark, featureless blob. Face the light. Always.

Choose the Right Top for Your Industry

That floral blouse you love for Saturday brunch? It’s a distraction on LinkedIn. People look at the pattern, not your eyes. Your clothing is a silent signal.

Go solid. Darker shades—navy, charcoal, black—add weight and professionalism. A light grey or soft blue works if you want approachability. The cut matters more than you think. A collared shirt or a structured blazer frames the face naturally. I tell my finance and law clients to wear that crisp white shirt; for creatives in marketing or design, a textured charcoal sweater can say “innovative” without shouting.

Avoid bulky knits and loud stripes. Last month, a software engineer showed up in a faded band t-shirt. We borrowed a simple navy crewneck from my emergency wardrobe closet. The difference in the final shot was staggering: in the t-shirt, he looked like he was heading to a garage; in the sweater, he looked like he was leading the team.

How to Look Confident, Not Stiff

You know that frozen “photo smile”? It reads as nervous, not capable. Confidence is relaxed energy.

Start with your posture. Don’t square your shoulders straight to the camera. Angle your body about 30 degrees to the left or right, then turn your head back to face the lens. This breaks up the rigid line of your shoulders and looks more dynamic. Drop your shoulders. Really. Take a deep breath and let them fall. Now, think of something that genuinely amuses you—a dumb joke, your pet’s weird habit. Don’t smile for the camera. Smile because of the thought. The eyes soften.

What do you do with your hands? If they’re in the shot, rest one lightly on the other. Or put them in your pockets if your jacket allows it. The goal is to look like you’re pausing in the middle of a good day, not standing at attention.

The One Expression Mistake Everyone Makes

They try to look “professional” by wiping all emotion off their face. The result? You look either bored or mildly suspicious. Neutral is not a goal. Approachable engagement is.

Your eyes are the entire game. Before you take the shot, look directly into the camera lens and imagine it’s a person you’re genuinely pleased to see. Your focus should be behind the lens, not on your own face in the screen. I’ll ask clients, “What was the best news you got this week?” Their eyes light up as they start to answer, and *that’s* when I press the shutter.

The mistake is holding an expression. Authentic expressions flicker and settle. Have someone talk to you, or talk to yourself about a project you’re proud of. Capture the moment after you react, not the pose you think you should hold.

Upload the Shot That Gets Clicks

You took 100 photos. Now you must pick one. Most people choose the most flattering light on their skin. Wrong. Choose the photo where your energy connects.

Crop tightly. On LinkedIn, your face is a thumbnail. Fill at least 60% of the frame with your face, from the top of your shoulders to just above your head. Leave a little breathing room above your hair. Backgrounds should be simple and blurry—a wall, some foliage. No office clutter, no artwork that draws the eye away.

Check the technicals. Is it sharp? Is the white balance correct (your white shirt looks white, not yellow)? Run it through a free tool like Photofeeler for a quick gut-check from strangers. But trust your own instinct most. Which photo feels most like the “you” that walks into a meeting ready to contribute?

Your headshot is a handshake, not a biography. It needs to say “I’m here, I’m capable, and you can talk to me” in the half-second someone scrolls past. Find that light, wear that solid color, think of that good joke, and let your eyes do the talking. Then hit upload.

Related, and worth reading next: Professional Backgrounds for Accountants: A Simple Guide.