LinkedIn profiles with professional photos get 21x more views and 36x more messages. Here are 16+ ideas to make your photo work harder for your career.
16 photos
5 tips
5 FAQs
Your LinkedIn photo is arguably the most important professional image you'll ever have. It appears in search results, connection requests, messages, and shared articles. LinkedIn's own data shows that profiles with professional photos receive 21x more profile views and 36x more messages. But what exactly makes a LinkedIn photo 'good'? It depends on your industry, seniority level, and target audience. Here are curated examples with specific guidance.
Professional headshot of a male CEO in his 50s
Executivemale
Professional headshot of a female executive in her 40s
Powermale
Professional headshot of an African American male executive in his 50s
Distinguishedmale
Professional headshot of an Asian female C-suite executive in her 40s
Commandingmale
Professional headshot of a Hispanic male executive in his 50s
Corporatemale
Professional headshot of a Caucasian female CEO in her 50s
Executivemale
Professional headshot of an Indian male executive in his 40s
Leadershipmale
Professional headshot of a young female executive in her 30s
Modern Executivemale
Professional headshot of a male software engineer in his 30s
Tech Casualmale
Professional headshot of a female software engineer in her 30s
Techmale
Professional headshot of an African American male software engineer in his 30s
Techmale
Professional headshot of an Asian female software engineer in her 20s
Modern Techmale
Professional headshot of a Hispanic male software engineer in his 30s
Casualmale
Professional headshot of a Caucasian female software engineer in her 40s
Tech Executivemale
Professional headshot of an Indian male software engineer in his 30s
Techmale
Professional headshot of a young female software engineer in her 20s
Modern Techmale
Tips for LinkedIn Photo Ideas
Your face should fill 60% of the frame
LinkedIn photos are displayed small — in search results, comments, and messages. If your face is too small, you're just a blur. Crop tight: head and shoulders only.
Use a high-contrast background
LinkedIn's white interface means your photo needs contrast to stand out. Dark backgrounds work well for lighter skin tones; medium gray or blue works universally.
Look directly at the camera
Direct eye contact in your LinkedIn photo creates trust and engagement. Studies show that photos with direct gaze receive 71% more engagement than photos looking away.
Match your industry's dress code
Wear what you'd wear to an important client meeting. Tech: smart casual. Finance/law: suit and tie. Creative: stylish but polished. Healthcare: white coat.
Keep the background simple
Busy backgrounds distract from your face. Solid colors, subtle gradients, or heavily blurred office/outdoor settings keep the focus where it belongs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-lit headshot where your face takes up 60%+ of the frame, you're looking at the camera with a warm expression, wearing industry-appropriate attire, against a clean background. It should look current, professional, and approachable.
A professional photographer helps but isn't necessary. AI-generated headshots can achieve the same quality at a fraction of the cost. What matters is good lighting, proper framing, and appropriate styling — all of which AI tools handle well.
Significantly. Profiles with photos get 21x more views and 36x more messages according to LinkedIn. Recruiters report that professional photos increase their likelihood of clicking through to a profile by over 40%.
Blues and navy are the most universally recommended — they convey trust and competence. Dark gray and black suit well for executives. Avoid white (blends with LinkedIn's background) and bright neon colors (can look unprofessional).
Generally no. LinkedIn photos should be professional and conservative — typically head and shoulders, direct eye contact, business attire. Dating photos should show personality and lifestyle. The only overlap would be a really good, warm professional headshot.
