LinkedIn and Headshots · Guide
What Makes a Good LinkedIn Profile Photo?
A LinkedIn profile photo appears in a small space, yet it still needs to make the person immediately recognisable and convey their professional presence. A strong profile image is therefore shaped not only by wardrobe or background, but by framing, light, expression and intended use together.
How Should a LinkedIn Profile Photo Be Framed?
- A close crop that keeps the face clear on small screens
- Safe margins for the circular crop
- Separate frames for square, vertical and horizontal uses
A LinkedIn profile photo appears very small in the feed, search results and message list. At that scale, the face and eyes need to remain clear, and the framing should not be too wide. A close head-and-shoulders portrait keeps the person recognisable even on a small screen.
LinkedIn displays a square upload as a circle. If the hair, shoulders or face sit too close to the edges, this crop can lose its balance. We therefore consider not only the circular profile view but also other corporate uses. In the same session we create a square frame for LinkedIn and vertical and horizontal alternatives for websites, presentations and press use.
How Should Wardrobe and Background Be Chosen Together?
- Wardrobe suited to the professional role and everyday working style
- Alternatives for formal and more relaxed uses
- A studio or office background that keeps attention on the person
Wardrobe should not feel disconnected from the person’s everyday professional appearance. There is no single colour or style that suits everyone; a lawyer, creative director and technology executive will not share the same visual language. Before the shoot we discuss where the photograph will be used and assess wardrobe choices accordingly.
The background is part of the same decision. A simple studio backdrop keeps attention on the face and creates consistency across team portraits, while an office setting brings the working environment and organisational character into the image. In both cases background, wardrobe and light are considered together to create a clean, balanced portrait. For similar team projects, you can view the corporate photography service.
How Do We Work During the Shoot?
- Explaining the set and framing before photography begins
- Reviewing photographs on screen during the shoot
- Evaluating the final frames together
A natural expression comes less from a rehearsed pose than from knowing what will happen during the shoot. Before we begin, I explain the set, where the person will stand and where the frame starts. The person can then see how the process will unfold instead of stepping into an unfamiliar situation.
Images appear on screen as they are captured. We review posture, gaze and expression together as the shoot progresses. The aim is not to give everyone the same smile or pose, but to find a confident portrait that preserves the person’s everyday professional presence and still looks like them.
Selected photographs are prepared for LinkedIn’s square and circular views. Vertical and horizontal alternatives from the same shoot are separately sized for corporate websites, email signatures, presentations and press use. When lighting, background and framing are documented for team sessions, new colleagues can later be photographed to the same visual standard. If you are planning a similar shoot, you can view the LinkedIn and headshot photography service.
Other Project Stories
Let’s Discuss Your Project.
Request a quote for LinkedIn profile photos, executive headshots or team portraits. To plan the session, simply share whether it will take place in the studio or office, the number of people and where the photographs will be used.