We’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover. The problem is, we do.
Behavioral researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards studies the science behind first impressions, communication and human behavior. One of the ideas she talks about is something most of us already know intuitively: visual cues begin shaping our impressions of people before they ever say a word.
Clothing, grooming, facial expressions and posture all give us information. We notice these things quickly and often unconsciously, making assumptions about qualities such as confidence, competence, warmth and trustworthiness.
On LinkedIn, the same thing is happening. Before someone reads your title, credentials, experience or carefully crafted About section, their eyes have gone straight to your face.
Your profile photo has already said hello!
What Is Your Photo Saying?
Van Edwards often describes the impressions we make in terms of two important qualities: warmth and competence. Are you someone I can trust and connect with? And are you someone I can rely on to know what you’re doing?
Those qualities translate remarkably well to what we want from a professional headshot.
Most of us would like our photo to communicate some combination of professionalism, competence, confidence and approachability. But exactly what that looks like will be different for everyone.
A corporate attorney and a creative director probably shouldn’t have identical headshots. Neither should a therapist and a financial executive. “Professional” doesn’t automatically mean a dark blazer, crossed arms and a serious expression.
Think instead about the impression you want to make when you walk into a meeting with a prospective employer, client or colleague. Your LinkedIn photo is essentially making that introduction for you—your digital handshake.
Direct eye contact, an engaged expression and a genuine smile can communicate both confidence and warmth. The goal isn’t simply to look professional. It’s to look like a professional another person would want to meet.
Your Headshot Has a Very Big Little Job to Do
Here’s something people often don’t consider when choosing a LinkedIn photo: your profile picture is tiny, especially when people are looking at LinkedIn on their phones.
This is something I talk about with clients all the time.
You may have a beautiful photograph of yourself standing in your office or sitting in an interesting environment. It may look fantastic when you open it full-size on your computer. But that isn’t necessarily how people will experience it.
On LinkedIn—especially on a phone—your photo may appear in a very small circle next to a comment, connection request, search result or message. If your face occupies only a small portion of the original photograph, your expression can practically disappear.
For a profile photo, your face should be easy to see. A relatively close crop, an uncluttered background, good light and a clear expression all help you communicate even when the photograph is reduced to thumbnail size.
Try this simple test: pull up LinkedIn on your phone and look at your photo where it appears next to one of your comments.
Can you clearly see your face and expression?
That tiny version may be someone’s first introduction to you. Make sure it’s saying what you want it to say.
Professional Doesn’t Mean Perfect
We women, in particular, can find ourselves navigating a complicated set of expectations around professional appearance. We want to look polished, but not overly concerned with appearance. Confident, but approachable. Experienced, while sometimes feeling less enthusiastic about the visible evidence of that experience.
It can be tempting to reach for an older favorite photograph, smooth and filter a current one until we barely recognize ourselves, or choose an AI-generated headshot that presents a more idealized version of us.
But if the person someone meets looks noticeably different from the person in the photo, the image isn’t really doing its job.
Your LinkedIn photo should look like you now. If someone who has only seen your profile is meeting you for coffee tomorrow, they should be able to recognize you when you walk through the door.
That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with wanting to look your best. Good lighting, flattering angles, thoughtful grooming and subtle retouching can all help create a polished image.
But polished and artificial are not the same thing, right?
A strong headshot isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about looking like the best, most authentic version of yourself.
Creating a Headshot That Works for You
There are plenty of ways to get a strong LinkedIn photo.
Working with a photographer who specializes in headshots means having someone else manage the lighting, posing, expression and all the small details that influence what the finished image communicates. Professional hair and makeup can add polish, and thoughtful retouching can help you look your best while still looking like you.
But that isn’t always practical or in the budget. With a phone and a self-timer or a patient friend, you can create an effective LinkedIn photo yourself. A few things will make a big difference:
Start with the light. Face a large window with soft, indirect light, or go outside and find open shade. You want even light across your face without harsh shadows or squinting.
Keep the background simple. A plain wall can work beautifully, but so can an uncluttered indoor or outdoor setting. The important thing is that the background doesn’t compete with you.
Dress for the impression you want to make. Think less about a universal definition of “business attire” and more about what’s appropriate for your industry, your personality and the position or client you hope to attract. Dress for the job—or opportunity—you want. Dress for Success!
Engage with the camera. Look directly into the lens rather than at yourself on the screen. Think about the person on the other side of that camera as someone you’re genuinely happy to meet.
If a friend is taking the photo, have them talk to you. Better yet, have them make you laugh. A real expression almost always communicates more than a carefully manufactured “camera smile.”
Keep the editing authentic. Adjusting brightness, color and cropping can improve an image. Heavy filters, excessive skin smoothing and artificial-looking alterations can quickly turn you into someone your connections may not recognize.
Take Another Look at That Little Circle
Pull up your LinkedIn profile and, for a moment, ignore everything you’ve written.
Just look at the photograph.
If someone knew nothing else about you, what might they assume?
Does the woman in that little circle seem competent? Confident? Approachable? Does she look current? Does she look like someone you’d be interested in meeting or working with?
Most importantly, does she look like you?
Your LinkedIn photo doesn’t need to tell your entire story. It couldn’t possibly.
But before anyone reads the rest of that story, it gets to say—hello!
Atlanta-based professional photographer specializing in personal branding, headshots and portraits that help people show up with confidence.
