Start the New Year Right With These 8 LinkedIn Photo Tips

Having an appropriate LinkedIn profile picture can help you foster the right connections and even land your dream job. As we step into the new year, consider refreshing your profile picture with these eight tips.

1. Use an updated picture.

Firstly, your profile picture should be an accurate representation of who you would be if an interviewer were to meet you tomorrow. It might sound obvious enough, but you’ve probably met someone who looks nothing like their profile picture. Perhaps it was a picture from many years ago, or their appearance has changed drastically in recent years. Whatever it is, it can be an unsettling experience to meet them in real life.

To boost your credibility and prevent any confusion, always use an updated photo of yourself. As a guide, make it a point to change your profile picture at least once every two years.

2. Choose a solo photo.

Have you ever come across someone with a group photo as their LinkedIn profile picture, and wondered who you should be looking at? While it’s good to showcase your collaborative side to recruiters, using a group photo can cause major confusion. So, always opt for a solo photo as your profile picture and leave the group photo for your profile banner instead.

3. Don’t use a selfie.

It may be convenient to use a selfie as a LinkedIn profile picture, but I strongly advise against it. On most phones, the front camera produces a lower-quality image than the rear camera. Hence, the selfie may not be the best choice as a professional shot.

Instead, get a friend or colleague to take it for you, or visit a photo studio in Singapore to have your professional corporate headshot taken. Apart from producing high-quality images, a professional photographer can also give you directions to achieve your desired shot.

4. Stick to simple backgrounds.

Yes, where you take your photo matters more than you may think. To ensure that you remain as the focal point, avoid distracting backgrounds

That said, you absolutely don’t have to be photographed against a dull white wall. Taking your picture against a solid-coloured wall or even out in nature will work perfectly.

Lush greenery makes for an ideal corporate headshot background.

5. Showcase an expression that’s aligned with your personal brand.

Your profile picture is an opportunity to leave a great first impression on recruiters. It can also help convey your personality and let recruiters have a better idea of who you are.

To ensure that your personal brand is conveyed accurately, make sure your facial expression is aligned with it. For example, if you wish to portray your brand as a little bit more serious than others, it’s alright to appear serious in your photo. However, smiling can generally help you appear more approachable.

You can’t go wrong with smiling in your corporate headshot.

6. Dress like how you would when you go to work.

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about corporate headshots is that you must be dressed in a stiff, formal suit. That’s absolutely not true! So, what exactly should you wear for a corporate headshot?

Generally, there’s no rule as to what you should be wearing as long as you look presentable and not underdressed. Dressing like how you would when you go to work will be a safe choice. You would also want to opt for solid colours to help you stand out against the plain background.

Corporate headshot photography at Oh Dear Studio Singapore.

7. Pay attention to the resolution of your photo.

The recommended resolution for LinkedIn profile pictures is 400 x 400 pixels. An image with a smaller resolution may appear pixelated and blurry when uploaded on LinkedIn, so you will want to avoid that. To ensure that you can be seen clearly, get your corporate headshot professionally taken by photo studios in Singapore. For example, Oh Dear Studio offers professional headshots at a resolution of 2250 x 1500 pixels – perfect for corporate use!

8. Natural lighting works best.

Taking your picture against natural light can give your skin a soft, flattering glow. Consider having your corporate headshot taken at a photo studio that allows natural light photography, such as Oh Dear Studio in Singapore. Our studio comes with full French windows that allow ample light to stream in, creating flattering and timeless portraits like this:

Oh Dear Studio’s full French windows allow portraits to be taken in natural light even when indoors. The result? A natural, healthy glow on your skin!

We also have a private open rooftop, whcih enables us to capture natural outdoor portraits – right in the comfort of an indoor photography studio.