Discover the best LinkedIn photo examples to boost your professional brand. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to optimize your profile picture.
According to a recent survey of over 200 HR specialists, 70% of the respondents admitted to having rejected job candidates based on their LinkedIn profile photos.
As harsh as it might sound, humans are visual beings who often judge a book by its cover. As such, using a professional LinkedIn profile picture that creates a positive first impression is in your best interest.
This article covers everything you need to know about taking professional LinkedIn profile pictures, including LinkedIn photo examples to inspire you.
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The Importance of a Professional LinkedIn Photo
While having a LinkedIn profile without a photo is a fatal mistake, it is equally wasteful to upload a low-quality one. A professional LinkedIn photo serves other purposes beyond putting a face to the name.
Let’s take a look:
- Create a Strong Impression: A professional photo sets a strong first impression and entices LinkedIn users to explore your profile.
- Show Professionalism: Using a high-quality photo of yourself dressed appropriately (according to your industry standards) sends a message to recruiters that you are serious about your craft.
- Credibility and Authenticity: A professional photo helps you look genuine and approachable, encouraging other LinkedIn users to interact with you.
- Visibility in Search Results: Using a professional photo helps your profile stand out when recruiters search for your name on LinkedIn.
Good vs. Bad LinkedIn Photos
People often ask, “How can I tell if my photo is good or bad for LinkedIn?”
To answer this question, let’s outline the features of a good vs. bad LinkedIn photo in the table below:
| Attribute | Good LinkedIn Photos | Bad LinkedIn Photos |
| Image Quality | High-resolution and clear. | Grainy and pixelated. |
| Background | Uncluttered and uses neutral colors to not distract users. | Contains objects and text that draw attention away from your appearance. |
| Lighting | The lighting appears natural and without bright spots or shadows. | The lighting is inconsistent and generates harsh shadows on your face or attire. |
| Dress Code | Professional as per your industry’s standards. | Casual, revealing, or inappropriate for your line of work. |
| Facial Expression | Confident and approachable. | Dull, uninviting, or unprofessional. |
How to Take a Good LinkedIn Photo
Have you concluded that your LinkedIn photo is bad or needs a redo? Worry not.
Below are simple steps to help you take a good photo for your LinkedIn profile:
- Use a Pro Camera: Get a professional camera or go to a studio for a high-resolution profile photo.
- Use Appropriate Lighting: Take the photo in natural light, such as outdoors or near a window. Also, ensure the light falls evenly on your upper body to avoid shadows.
- Set Up a Professional Background: Pick a background with neutral colors to keep the viewers’ focus on your appearance. Suitable colors include white, gray, and shades of blue.
- Dress Appropriately: Your dress code should be appropriate by industry standards or based on your position. For example, opt for formal wear if you are in the corporate sector or top-level management.
- Keep a Friendly Facial Expression: Wear a friendly face and warm smile for approachability. Avoid exaggerated poses and ensure the expression appears natural.
- Minimal Editing: Avoid heavy editing that alters your appearance. Use filters sparingly and edit mainly for consistency issues.
Best LinkedIn Photo Examples by Profession
The best way to illustrate a good LinkedIn photo is by highlighting real-life examples.
We have compiled a few LinkedIn profile photos and cover photos from which you can draw inspiration.
LinkedIn Cover Photo Examples
Below are a few examples of good LinkedIn cover photos:
1. Highlight Your Service Catalog
This LinkedIn profile by Lovish Gulati is a good example of how web developers can showcase their services.
The cover photo includes a value proposition that will help attract potential clients.
2. Showcase Past Projects
Where applicable, use your cover photo to display your portfolio or previous projects.
In this example, Jim McAndrew showcases his past projects to build credibility and entice interested clients to reach out.
3. Use a Photo of You at ‘Work’
An easy way to show your target audience that you are an expert at what you claim to do is using a cover photo of you in action.
This example by Todd Dewett features him as a keynote speaker at an event, which supports his claim of being a certified virtual presenter with five TEDx appearances.
4. Provide Social Proof
Credibility and authenticity are significant factors when establishing yourself as an authority in your niche. And what better way to do it than provide social proof of who you claim to be?
In this example, Judi Fox uses her LinkedIn cover photo to highlight her features in notable publications, media, and conferences, which provide invaluable social proof for her LinkedIn personal brand.
LinkedIn Profile Photo Examples
Next, let’s highlight a few examples of professional photos to use as your LinkedIn profile picture:
1. Dress Appropriately for the Photo Shoot
Pick an attire that meets your industry’s standards or the position you aspire to get.
In this example, Bobby Umar is dressed formally to portray professionalism and boost his brand as a leadership coach.
2. Use Neutral Colors for Your Background
Take your LinkedIn photo with a neutral, uncluttered background to maintain viewers’ focus on your appearance.
In this example, Nicolas Boucher uses a plain white background, which contrasts nicely with his dark suit.
3. LinkedIn Photo Exceptions for Creatives
Content creators and people in creative industries are often exempted from formal wear when taking LinkedIn profile photos.
Check out this example of Mikita Nelson, an established music producer and A&R Executive based in the US.
4. Picking a LinkedIn Profile Photo as a Small Business Owner
Small business owners looking to grow their presence on LinkedIn often wonder whether to go with a formal or casual look.
Opt for business-casual wear, as in this example by Christopher J, to achieve a professional yet approachable appearance.
Looking to boost your LinkedIn profile’s visibility?
We recommend integrating LinkedIn into your website once you figure out the best profile and cover photos. Embedding your LinkedIn profile on your website helps revamp the web pages, giving them a fresh look. It could also help you increase your LinkedIn impressions and follower count, boosting your visibility to recruiters, clients, and other members.
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What to Wear for a LinkedIn Photo
Surprising as it might sound, not all formal attires are great for taking LinkedIn photos.
Use our cheatsheet below to pick the right clothes to wear for your LinkedIn photo shoot:
- Fitting Clothes: Oversized clothes make you look unkempt and ill-prepared. Instead, try the selected attire before the shoot to confirm it fits you well.
- Opt for Appropriate Colors: Pick outfits contrasting your skin tone to make your face stand out. Consider neutral colors like gray and navy blue, as they work for most skin tones.
- Industry Dress Code: Choose attires that align with the role you want. For example, wear a suit if you are looking to apply for managerial positions. Also, avoid outfits with distracting patterns that take attention away from your appearance.
- Wear Subtle Accessories: Adding accessories to your outfit can elevate your look and help you capture users’ attention. Examples include tie clips, pocket squares (for men), stud earrings, and a simple chain (for women).
Pro Tip: If you go to a studio, we recommend carrying several outfits to change into and comparing your appearance in the photos to pick the best one for your LinkedIn profile.
Common LinkedIn Photo Mistakes to Avoid
Below are common pitfalls to look out for when selecting the photos to use on your LinkedIn profile:
- Outdated Photos: Refrain from using photos that do not match your current appearance, as they might taint your credibility. Also, replace your LinkedIn profile photo after significant changes like weight loss/gain and aging.
- Poor-Quality Photos: Pixelated images negatively impact viewers’ perception of your professionalism. Such images could also discourage LinkedIn users from engaging with your profile, causing you to miss out on opportunities.
- Inappropriate Photos: Avoid using casual or inappropriate photos on your LinkedIn profile, as they could hurt your personal brand. For instance, a photo of you on the beach could look good on your Instagram profile but will likely turn off recruiters on LinkedIn.
- Group Photos: Limit group photos to LinkedIn pages for your agency or brand. Using a group photo for your LinkedIn profile makes it difficult for users to pick you out.
- Staged Photos: Exaggerated expressions or poses often water down your credibility and professionalism, making people skeptical about your personality. Ensure your pose appears natural to appeal to a broader audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got unanswered questions?
This section addresses commonly asked questions about picking the right LinkedIn photo.
Can I Use a Casual Photo If I Work in a Creative Field?
Yes. You can use a casual photo if you work in a creative field.
However, a casual photo doesn’t mean dressing inappropriately. Opt for attires with vibrant colors and a curated background that showcases your personality.
How Do I Remove the Background from My LinkedIn Photo?
You can use a photo editor to remove your LinkedIn photo’s background. Popular tools include Remove.bg, Photoroom, and Canva.
Should My LinkedIn Photo Match My Company Branding?
Yes. Your LinkedIn photo can match your company branding if you’re looking to promote the company as a thought leader.
However, LinkedIn experts discourage wearing attires with company logos, especially when looking for a job at a new organization.
What is the Best LinkedIn Photo Format?
LinkedIn recommends uploading a profile photo in a JPG or PNG format. Other specifications include:
- Maximum file size: 8MB
- Minimum pixel size: 400 (w) x 400 (h)
- Maximum pixel size: 7680 (w) x 4320 (h)
Conclusion – LinkedIn Photo Examples
Your LinkedIn profile and cover photos influence how people perceive your personality and professionalism. As such, you want to create the best first impression, especially for recruiters or peers you’d like to network with.
The tips discussed in this guide should help you take professional LinkedIn photos that make your profile stand out.
Also, we cannot overemphasize the significance of showcasing your LinkedIn profile on a website to reach a broader audience.
SociableKIT offers a no-code widget for embedding and customizing a LinkedIn profile on your website. Also, we have a responsive customer support team should you encounter any integration issues.
Create a SociableKIT widget today and display your LinkedIn profile on a website to reach a wider audience!