4 tips for a perfect LinkedIn profile photo

Make a good first impression with potential employers by spending a little extra time on your LinkedIn head shot. Branding experts share their best advice.

PHOTOS increasingly are being used as a tool for workers to stand out from the crowd, whether on professional social media, an email account or company website.

A well-styled, well-lit and well-framed head shot photo has become a must-have for profile pictures, even though many only appear on a screen at a size smaller than a thumbnail.

Fine art and fashion photographer Nick Leary says workers are recognising that spending time and effort will make themselves stand out more.

“A lot of people just want a nicer picture to showcase themselves – people are recognising that it adds a bit of difference,” he says.

Publicist and #thebrandinyou founder Carlii Lyon says too many profile photos, such as on LinkedIn, look stuffy and corporate, and do not show enough personality.

“Obviously the photographer goes in and has taken the shot and hasn’t got the essence of the person,” she says.

Everyone now is starting to understand and approach the value of LinkedIn as beyond just a resume.

“From a HR perspective, the head shot is a valuable tool to gain (insight) into who they are.”

Carlii Lyon and Nick Leary know how to get a good head shot. Picture: Supplied

Leary says there may not be a right or wrong way for everyone to create their best look but there are some common places to start.

LIGHTING

Leary says front lighting is a simple way to look good – and a light is not even required.

“Prop yourself in front of a big window, that’s always going to look quite beautiful,” he says.

If being in front of a window does not lend itself to also having an appropriate background, lamps are portable and can be angled to emit even light.

STYLING

Consider an appropriate hairstyle and makeup look for the industry and get both done by a professional before taking the photo.

Clothing and backgrounds do not have to be plain or the same as everyone else uses.

Creative people may want to show more colour and flair than an IT professional, who may prefer a futuristic setting. Try and recreate those backgrounds of whatever it might be that you do,” Leary says.

Lyon says props can be an advantage for some images, so try to think of pieces that are appropriate.

“Every single piece is not accidental,” she says.

“(Ask yourself) ‘What am I wearing? Where am I taking the shot? What is that portraying to the clients?’.

“Think about all these elements.”

Nick Leary, left, photographs digital marketing entrepreneur Sasch Mosedale. Picture: Supplied

SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY

While images need to be industry appropriate, they also should incorporate personality.

This includes clothing, hair and makeup, as well as the background.

“A lot of the time, what I see out there, is there’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t connect,” Lyon says.

Honesty is important so, for example, if you do not usually wear red lipstick or are not comfortable with it on, avoid doing so just to make yourself look confident.

“We want them to portray themselves,” Lyon says.

“From a personal branding side of things, what a lot of photographers are doing is too corporate and not personal enough.”

GET SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE IT

Despite living in the age of the selfie, getting someone else to take the photo is preferred.

A friend or family member may be able to get you smiling confidently and to be relaxed as well as frame the image well.

Leary and Lyon, who have a shoot coming up in Sydney on May 28 and 29, say to go the extra mile, and that professional stylists and photographers can help workers get their best image.

“We try and fill in a lot of the gaps and help you really start to maximise that experience,” Leary says.

“People need that guidance, that’s where I think a good photographer can help.

“They get that honesty out of the person, by making them feel relaxed.

“It’s normal to feel scared or uneasy but we get them to relax and celebrate themselves at the time that we’re there.”

Professionals also can suggest personality, style and background options for a photo shoot, as well as having lighting equipment and clear camera lenses.

Sasch Mosedale’s new head shot. Picture: Supplied

Digital marketing entrepreneur Sasch Mosedale says she has always worked on elevating clients’ profiles, and this year decided now was the time to elevate her own.

She wanted someone with experience to go beyond taking just a head shot photo when she decided to get images taken by a professional and engaged #thebrandinyou.

“It wasn’t just about getting a nice image, it was about communicating my personal brand,” she says.

“I plan to use the images on all my social profiles and website for my start-up digital marketing business.”

Originally published as 4 tips for a perfect LinkedIn profile photo