5 Professional Headshot Sins: are you guilty?
Are you committing a crime when it comes to your LinkedIn profile picture? If so, which one?
Sin 1: Cropping from another picture
Starting off with a classic headshot crime…the crop. Mercilessly chopping friends and family from a treasured snap and uploading it to your profile without so much as a ‘see you later’.
Cropping a headshot from a friend’s wedding day is the modus operandi for these sinners. The temptation is undeniable. You’ve got almost every component covered…
Professional photographer ✓
Great hair / make up ✓
Smart outfit ✓
Beaming smile ✓
But this is a relationship built on rocky foundations. Deep down you know that people can see straight through your cunning ploy. The clothes aren’t quite professional enough, the colours not quite on brand and is that the bride’s shoulder creeping into the frame?
This a photo from your friend’s big day, whereas your corporate headshot should be all about you: a carefully curated picture reflecting your personal brand.
So, look at your website or LinkedIn profile and ask yourself this…Is the picture you are using one to have and to hold from this day forward?
Sin 2: Using a selfie
The selfie takers need to put down their weapon (typically a phone, rarely a camera) and step away. This sin can be committed in private, but it doesn’t make it right. Taking a selfie is often about control. Yes, you can dictate the angle, but your face is a little too close to the camera and we can practically see the stretch in your eyes.
A professional headshot is taken at a distance that allows for a natural angle and pose. If you can’t stretch to a professional photographer, rope in a friend. But selfies are never the answer. If you’ve used a selfie stick then please seek help immediately.
Sin 3: A blurry picture
Did it start off blurry or did something go wrong when you started to upload it? In today’s high tech, image led world, these is no excuse for the sin of showing off a pixelated profile picture. Find a friend who can help you out of this technological quagmire; this is a petty crime with big consequences.
According to research conducted by Cornell, a photograph-based first impression will influence a person’s face-to-face interaction with you for up to a month later. You do realise those people on Crime Watch had their faces blurred for a reason.
A professional photographer should supply you with a headshot optimised for screens at 72 dpi. LinkedIn Photos in 2022 should be a minimum of 400 x 400 pixels and no larger than 8MB.
Sin 4: Using a photo from 10 years ago
You are guilty of deception. Your headshot is misleading your clients and confusing your colleagues. Your hair hasn’t been that short since 2010.
Not looking like your LinkedIn picture might be because you’ve put on a few lockdown pounds or simply haven’t gotten round to booking a photoshoot. There’s still time; get your headshot sorted and you might get out early.
Sin 5: No headshot at all
A life sentence for you!
LinkedIn penalises pictureless accounts meaning they show up lower on listings and receive significantly lower clickthrough rates. With the number of fake accounts around, prospective employers and contacts might assume you are bot. This offence is simply unforgivable.
If you are guilty of a headshot crime, there is a chance of redemption. Get in touch with a photographer and get yourself a proper corporate picture. You may just be able to convince the parole board it was all an innocent mistake.
Leigh is an Exeter based corporate photographer, specialising in personal branding shoots and business headshots. No stuffy studios, just professional, natural portraits for modern entrepreneurs.