The average LinkedIn profile photo is viewed at 96 pixels wide — roughly the size of a pea on most screens. At that size, everything that makes a photo flattering at full resolution stops mattering: fine background detail disappears, subtle expressions vanish, and all that is left is your face, your shoulders and the overall tone of the image.
A good LinkedIn headshot is therefore boring on purpose. Neutral background, even light, camera-level framing, a natural expression you can hold. Our LinkedIn style uses a soft gray-neutral backdrop because it works equally well in the light and dark modes recruiters toggle through, and it makes your face the only busy part of the image.
This is also the cheapest upgrade most job seekers ignore: recruiters admit they filter candidates partly on photo polish. A current, clean photo does not get you the job — but an outdated, dark or cropped one quietly gets you passed over.
Lawyer
The best lawyer headshots signal trust: dark backgrounds, proper wardrobe, no grainy webcam files. Professional attorney photos for men and women in minutes.
ExecutiveDoctor
Professional headshots for doctors — competent and approachable, ready for clinic websites, directories and insurer profiles. No studio needed.
NaturalRealtor
Professional headshots for realtors that make listings feel personal — approachable, confident agent photos for your brokerage site and for-sale signs.
Business CasualExecutive
Executive headshots with presence for annual reports and LinkedIn, including female executive options. Dark backgrounds, tailored wardrobe, approachable.
ExecutiveNurse
Approachable nurse headshots that patients trust — for hospital directories, clinic sites and nursing school profiles. Warm, professional, studio-clean.
NaturalDentist
Dentist and dental team headshots patients book with — warm, clean and professional for practice sites, insurance directories and social media.
NaturalSoftware Engineer
Tech headshots that look senior, not stuffy: approachable, modern, and recruiter-ready. For engineers, developers, PMs and anyone hiring adjacent.
Modern TechAccountant
CPA and accountant headshots clients trust with their books — clean, competent and calm for firm sites, LinkedIn and client onboarding pages.
Classic CorporateTeacher
Professional teacher headshots for school websites, classroom pages and conference bios — warm, approachable, the kind of face parents trust.
Bright & CleanConsultant
Consulting headshots that balance approachability with authority — for strategy firms, independent consultants and LinkedIn lead generation.
CorporateSales Professional
Sales rep and sales manager headshots that look energetic and trustworthy — for LinkedIn, company team pages and prospect emails.
Business CasualPilot
Professional pilot headshots for airline profiles, aviation resumes and flight school sites. Polished, confident, exactly the standard aviation demands.
Classic CorporateActor
Actor headshots that meet casting dimensions and requirements — expressive, high-resolution, current. The affordable alternative to a headshot photographer.
Studio ClassicModel
See model headshot examples and get digitals agencies accept — clean, natural, current. Build or refresh your modeling portfolio without a studio day.
CreativePolice Officer
Professional headshots for police officers, firefighters and first responders — for department rosters, promotions, training and media use.
Classic CorporateTherapist
Professional photos for therapists on Psychology Today, practice sites and directories — warm, calm and real. The kind of face clients want to open up to.
NaturalStudent
Student headshots for LinkedIn, internships and grad school apps, plus graduation portraits. Affordable, professional and current.
GraduationSmall Business Owner
Owner headshots that humanize your brand — for your about page, social profiles, press and local directories. Look like the face customers trust.
Business CasualEntrepreneur
Founder and entrepreneur headshots for pitch decks, press kits, startup directories and social — credible and current at every stage.
CorporateMarketer
Marketer and creative headshots that look current and credible — for LinkedIn, agency team pages, conference bios and personal brands.
Modern TechWhat recruiters actually see at 96 pixels
They see lighting tone first. A too-dark image looks like a thumbnail that failed to load. A blown-out white background makes your face look flat. Then they see the shape of your shoulders and the edge of your hair, and only then your expression.
That is why "go to a studio" advice misses the point for LinkedIn specifically — a dramatic studio portrait with a black background often reads worse at small size than a plain, well-lit photo taken on a phone. The goal is legible, warm and current.
Why you should update it more often than you think
Headshots have a shelf life. If your photo is older than about three years — or shows hair, glasses or facial hair you no longer have — the mismatch quietly erodes trust the moment someone meets you in person.
A practical cadence: refresh when you change your look, when you switch roles or companies, or at least every two to three years. Because this style is inexpensive and instant, keeping it current is a matter of an afternoon, not a studio booking weeks out.
Expression and outfit for the LinkedIn look
A closed-mouth smile or a small genuine smile outperforms a wide grin on LinkedIn. It reads as approachable but not rehearsed. Look directly at the lens — that is what makes a viewer feel like you are looking at them.
For clothing, solid colors above the waist work best on video-call lighting and on small screens. A light shirt against a neutral backdrop can wash out in dark mode previews, so mid-tone colors — navy, teal, muted burgundy — tend to hold up best across both themes.
Common questions about linkedin headshots
Is the LinkedIn background gray or white?
The default is a soft neutral gray, which reads well in both LinkedIn light and dark mode. If your company brand or profile theme calls for white, you can choose that option in the studio.
Can I keep the same photo for my company website?
You can, but the corporate style is tuned for team-page grids. If you only want one set of photos, LinkedIn style works as an all-rounder — neutral, professional and consistent.
Does it keep my real face?
Yes. Portraze trains on 10-20 photos you upload and preserves your real facial identity — it changes lighting, background and polish, not your features.
LinkedIn
Lawyer LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for lawyers, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Doctor LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for doctors, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Realtor LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for realtors, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Executive LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for executives, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Nurse LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for nurses, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Dentist LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for dentists, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Software Engineer LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for software engineers, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Accountant LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for accountants, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Teacher LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for teachers, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Consultant LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for consultants, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Sales Professional LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for sales professionals, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Pilot LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for pilots, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Actor LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for actors, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Model LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for models, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Police Officer LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for police officers, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Therapist LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for therapists, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Student LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for students, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Small Business Owner LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for small business owners, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Entrepreneur LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for entrepreneurs, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guideLinkedIn
Marketer LinkedIn Headshots — AI-generated linkedin looks for marketers, with wardrobe, background and expression notes. From $34.
Style guide