Why having a professional LinkedIn photo is necessary?

A great headshot is a great first step for building an awesome personal brand that helps you get hired faster, improve your visibility and sales numbers, or attract investors to your company.

Statistics show that LinkedIn members with a photo receive far more engagement: 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. 

LinkedIn headshots should focus on making you look professional, friendly, and competent. 

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn headshot? Let’s meet to see how I can elevate your LinkedIn profile to a whole new level with a brand new professional headshot.

Embracing your beauty

Last week I had an honor to take professional headshot of this amazing lady with Cerebral Palsy, she had a mission and vision to show the world how fierce she is and this is what she wrote after her session:

My name is Erin and I have Cerebral Palsy and use a walker to get around and I've used it all my life. For a very long time I've had a love/ hate relationship my walker, but now after 30 years of life, I only have love to give.

I could have done the photo shoot in wheelchair, but I don’t use a wheelchair (I have in the past)I use my walker. So, I had to be true to myself. When I was growing up in the 90s I didn't have all these beautiful fierce disabled icons to look up to like @jillianmercado @itslololove I felt very alone. I don't want people with disabilities (PWDs) to ever feel alone and you dont have to. Representation is critical, we need it in film, television, literature, EVERYWHERE My walker defines me.

My disability DEFINES me. My walker doesn't disable me from living a full life, but inaccessible CAN! My walker took me around the world to Rwanda and Mexico, it's helped me live a full life. I have climbed physical mountains with this walker and I am going to keep climbing.My walker has broken many times but just like me it can be rebuilt and be strong as hell.

So listen, your disability does NOT make you unattractive.🔥

Your disability doesn't make you less professional.🔥

Your disability doesn't make you an object to be pitied.🔥

You are FIERCE 🔥

You are BEAUTIFUL🔥

You are DISABLED 🔥

I'm here shining with you🌟

Should I smile or be serious in my headshots?

When time comes to have a new professional headshot most people don’t know where to start. That’s why I have a series of blog posts on this topic from “How to find the perfect headshot photographer”, “What to wear for business headshot?”, “Should I wear my glasses for my headshots?”, “Do I need makeup for my headshot session?”

The next important question to ask before having your headshot is: “Should I smile or be serious in my headshot?”

When we look at a photograph the first thing we see is subject’s expression. Most of the people have no idea should they smile or look serious in their headshot.

Here are some of the advantage and disadvantage of smiling in your headshot:
Advantages:
1. If your smile is genuine you look friendlier and more approachable.
2. They make the viewer more comfortable with you.
3. They make you seem easy to work with.
4. They can help you look younger.
Disadvantages:
1. Your eyes can become squinty. Fix this by looking at the top part of the photographer's camera, or do a more subtle laugh/smile instead of a big one.
2. Wrinkles can show on your face, or your face can look wider.

These are some advantages and disadvantages of serious expressions:
Advantages:
1. They can help you appear older if you look young and like to look older and more experienced.
2. If you do a very subtle, closed-mouth smile, it can show confidence with approachability, which is an awesome look.
Disadvantages:
1. If you're not careful, you can look blank, or mean/angry. A simple fix to this would be to keep your lips closed and do a subtle laugh to create a tiny little approachable smile that still looks like a serious shot.
2. You can look older than you are.

Should I wear my glasses for my headshot?

Wearing glasses is not unusual for your business or corporate headshots but eyeglasses can sometimes be a challenge with photography. There are, however, some things you can do before your headshot to make sure your final portrait is the absolute best. If you normally wear eyeglasses, you’ll want to wear them for your portrait. Below are some things you can do to have the best headshot session with eyeglasses.

1. Buy glasses with an anti-reflective (AR) coating, which means almost no light reflects off of the lens surface and the lens becomes nearly invisible.

2. Contact your optometrist before your photoshoot and ask to borrow a pair of your frames for the day

3. Ask your optometrist pop out the lenses for the day.

These are few great ways to get your authentic look without worrying about the glare of the lens.

What to wear for business headshot: Part Two-men’s attire?

Traditional Business Headshot

For the Traditional Corporate Headshot pick your favorite suit that fits you well. Pick a dark color like a navy blue, charcoal gray or black. These colors are classic and will help lead the viewer eyes up to your face. If you are wearing tie, keep in mind that tie should compliment the suit in your portrait and not stand out on it’s own and be distraction.

If you are choosing not to wear a necktie you can still look very executive without a tie.

Business Casual Headshots

If you aren’t wearing a jacket, wear a collared, button-up shirt. It draws less attention to the neck and helps frame your face.

Think about background color. If you are shooting on white, a darker shirt is better. If you are shooting on black or a very dark background opt for something lighter, but not necessarily white.

Stripes or patterns are not the best choice when you aren’t wearing a jacket. They tend to be distracting and work better under a jacket.

Some more helpful tips:

1. Do not wear a white t-shirt under an open-collared shirt. This results in a very distracting white triangle that draws the eye first when the viewer looks at your photo.

2. In wider portraits, match the pants to the jacket, or wear a suit. Have a nice belt.

3. If you need a haircut, visit the stylist at least three or four days before your headshot so your hair has a chance to settle in and look natural.

4. Make sure if you have a late afternoon photo session that you shave. Particularly if you have dark whiskers.

Now that you know what to bring for your professional headshot session, go ahead and book your session and update that headshot.

What to wear for business headshot? Part one-women’s attire

A good business headshot helps you communicate in a nanosecond who you are and what you do. Your headshot is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your authentic brand, so make the most of it. Remember the focus for the business or professional headshot is your face. Everything including the background, lighting and clothing should be kept simple to frame your  face.

1.  Color

Plain colors are your best choice.  Patterns or prints distract and date your photo.  Choose mid- tone colors in blue, green, wine and purple because they are universally flattering.  Color and patterns
It’s tempting to stick with black and white, but don’t do it. If you know your colors, bring items from that palette, or try hues that bring out your eye color and enhance your skin tone. Rich colors and jewel tones (emerald or sapphire blue, Purple, green and red) are great choices for almost all women.

2. Style
What not to wear:

• short sleeves or sleeveless styles

• busy patterns or plaids

• turtlenecks and shiny fabrics

• and seasonal styles and fabrics.

3.  Neckline
A modest v-neck is universally flattering because it lengthens the neck. If you choose to wear a jacket, pair it with a collarless top.  This is modern and keeps the neckline simple and sleek. Crisply ironed shirts by themselves frame the face really well.

4.  Jewelry
Keep it really simple, choose simple earrings and necklaces.  They keep the focus on the face. Big statement jewelry will date your photos.

5. Coordinate to the background

Most common background for headshots are white and dark gray. I personally like white background because it look very sleek and modern. Consider medium to dark colors and tones for more contrast on white background. If the background is very dark, you can wear light or vivid colors. I really like red on a black background.

Some final tips:

• Don’t wear your portrait wardrobe in the car; seat belts = wrinkles. Instead, bring your clean, neatly pressed pieces to the session on hangers.

• For business headshots, bring at least two to three outfits; for talent headshots or for a full portfolio shoot, six to eight outfits is probably more reasonable.