The secret weapon to 21x your LinkedIn profile views
According to a post on LinkedIn's official blog, profiles with professional photos get up to 21x more views and 9x more connection requests. But it's not just about having any professional photo—it's about having the right one that makes you stand out. The kind that makes someone stop scrolling and think, "I want to connect with this person."
I recently wrote about photographing members of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) at their conference. Today, I want to discuss how a strong headshot can advance your career and/or help you land your dream job.
A professional LinkedIn photo session isn't just about getting a picture—it's about capturing your professional identity. When clients step into my studio for their LinkedIn photos, we're creating something that tells their story before they say a word.
Let me tell you about a tech professional I photographed last month (we'll call her Sarah as I don’t want to embarrass her). She had been using a cropped photo from a friend's wedding for her LinkedIn profile. You know the type—nice outfit, decent lighting, but clearly not a professional headshot. It was ok but didn’t scream tech executive. Here's what most people miss about professional headshots: It's more than just a photo—your image is your story, your professional calling card on LinkedIn and other digital platforms. (Note: I’m not a fan of photos in resumes. No offence to anyone.)
Your story matters on LinkedIn
When someone books a headshot session, particularly for LinkedIn, my first questions are about their profession, career aspirations, and the story they want to tell. These answers guide everything from lighting to how you should pose.
Technical details matter. I use specific lighting setups that bring attention to your eyes, angles, clothes (no wrinkles or lint) and, of course, your hair. My Sony A7IV paired with the 85mm G Master lens lets me capture your best look.
Background selection is strategic, not just aesthetic. For tech professionals, I often recommend clean, gradient backgrounds that suggest innovation. Creatives might benefit from textured backgrounds that hint at artistic flair. For executives, classic darker tones convey authority and experience. If I'm shooting at your place of work, I look at what piece of information we want to display in the background that tells people where you work.
Your wardrobe should align with both your industry and personality. I tell clients to wear what makes them feel confident but consider their industry's expectations. A startup founder and a banking executive might both look professional, but their "professional" looks quite different. For guys, it might be a decision between tie or no tie, suit jacket or no jacket. For women, I find that as long as we avoid prints or too many patterns, we are good to go.
When is it time to update your LinkedIn Profile Photo?
So, besides all the things I've mentioned above, I really recommend coming in every two years. But if you've moved jobs, had a career change, or maybe looked different due to some life or health changes, it might be time to come in and get a new headshot.
So if you've been putting off getting a new headshot for LinkedIn, then now is the time. Mention you read to the end of this article by giving the code LinkedInUnlock, and I'll give you a special gift at your session.
Let's create a LinkedIn Headshot that helps you with your career.
Book today.
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