# What Is a LinkedIn Headshot? Examples and Photo Tips

Canonical page: https://selfieai.me/blog/what-is-linkedin-headshot

A LinkedIn headshot is a photo focused on your face, usually including your head and shoulders, used as your LinkedIn profile picture. “Headshot” describes the portrait, not a requirement to hire a photographer or wear a suit.

## A LinkedIn headshot is a clear portrait for your profile

Your headshot helps someone connect your name with your face. It’s the small profile picture that appears beside your activity, not the wide background banner across the top of your profile.

Think of it as a portrait for introductions: someone who sees it should be able to recognize you when you meet. A simple phone photo can do that job.

### Annotated example: head-and-shoulders framing

This framing sketch shows what to include, rather than a particular outfit or appearance to copy:

```text
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│        Space above head      │
│             _____            │
│            /     \           │
│           | o   o | ← Eyes   │
│           |   ∪   |   visible│
│            \_____/           │
│          ___|   |___         │
│         /           \        │
│        /  Shoulders  \       │
└──────────────────────────────┘
  Simple background around you
```

**What makes this framing useful:** your face is the main subject, your shoulders give the portrait context, and there’s space around your head for the circular profile crop. You don’t need to include your hands, desk, or whole outfit.

## What a good LinkedIn headshot looks like

Start with these six checks. [LinkedIn’s profile-photo guidance](https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/tips-for-taking-professional-linkedin-profile-pictures?referral=cargas) recommends a current likeness, clothing suited to your work, and a background that keeps attention on you.

- **One person:** you’re the only subject, with no leftover shoulder or face from someone else.
- **Current appearance:** your hairstyle, facial hair, and usual glasses still look like you.
- **Visible eyes:** your eyes are in focus, without deep shadows or distracting glare.
- **Simple background:** a plain wall or quiet outdoor setting doesn’t compete with your face.
- **Even light:** your face is easy to see, without one side disappearing into shadow.
- **Work-appropriate clothing:** choose something you’d feel comfortable wearing to meet people in your field.

Here’s how three common photo choices compare:

| Example | What you see | Keep it or change it? |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward professional portrait | One person, head and shoulders, clear eyes, plain background | Keep it if it still looks like you. A formal studio setting isn’t necessary. |
| Distant full-body photo | Your outfit and surroundings take up most of the image | Crop closer if the original stays sharp. Otherwise, take a new portrait. |
| Group-photo crop | Part of another person, an awkward shoulder crop, or a face squeezed against an edge | Retake it alone rather than forcing the crop. |

### Choose clothes and an expression that fit you

A suit makes sense if that’s what you’d wear in your intended workplace. A plain shirt, sweater, blouse, or blazer may be a better choice elsewhere. If you’re a student, start with what you’d wear to a career fair or an interview in your field.

Try a relaxed smile and a neutral, attentive expression. Compare both at small size and choose the one that feels natural. You don’t need a broad grin or a deliberately serious pose to look professional.

## Can you use a selfie as your LinkedIn headshot?

**Yes, if it works as a clear, professional-looking portrait.** A selfie describes how you took the photo; a headshot describes its framing and purpose. They can overlap.

The main issue is how the result looks, not who pressed the shutter. Use this keep-or-retake checklist:

| Check | Keep it if… | Retake it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Camera distance | Your facial proportions look familiar | The close camera makes your nose or forehead look noticeably enlarged |
| Arm and pose | Your shoulders look relaxed | An extended arm dominates the corner or pulls your posture sideways |
| Background | Nothing competes with your face | Laundry, signs, or other people draw attention |
| Filters | You look like your current self | A filter changes your features or removes too much detail |
| Crop | Your head and shoulders fit comfortably | Your chin, hair, or side of your face is awkwardly cut off |

If the only problem is that your face looks too close to the lens, move the phone farther away and use its timer. Don’t try to solve every framing problem by cropping tighter.

## Three ways to get a LinkedIn headshot

Choose based on how much setup you want to handle and how much control you need.

| Method | Your effort | Creative control | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take your own portrait | Arrange light, camera, outfit, and several attempts | You control the setup and choose every shot | You need to spot lighting and framing problems yourself |
| Hire a photographer | Arrange a session and explain the look you want | You can discuss wardrobe, background, and posing | Requires payment and scheduling; check what the session includes |
| Generate a portrait from your own selfies | Select source photos, generate options, and review results | You choose among the tool’s available styles and outputs | Likeness and visual details need careful checking |

### Take a phone portrait with window light

1. **Find soft light.** Face a window with indirect daylight. If direct sun creates harsh shadows, move out of the sunbeam or use a sheer curtain.
2. **Simplify the background.** Stand or sit in front of a plain wall, with some space behind you if possible.
3. **Support the phone at eye level.** Use a stable shelf, stand, or tripod rather than balancing it somewhere precarious.
4. **Set a timer.** Frame your head and shoulders, then step into position with relaxed shoulders.
5. **Take several versions.** Try small changes in expression and body angle. Check that your eyes are sharp before putting the setup away.

If you wear glasses, adjust your position slightly if the window reflects across your eyes. Keep the glasses if they’re part of how people normally recognize you.

### Generate a business portrait from your own selfies

[Selfie AI](https://findthe.app/selfie-ai-0xi7wd) lets you upload your own selfies to create a personalized AI model and generate professional business portraits. It’s an option if you want a different setting or outfit without arranging a photoshoot, but you still need to judge each result.

Start with [source selfies that show your likeness clearly](https://selfieai.me/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-input-selfies-lighting-angles-and-authenticity-for-ai-portraits). Then compare generated portraits with those originals, looking for changes to your eyes, facial proportions, hairline, glasses, or clothing details. Reject an image that looks polished but doesn’t look like you.

If this route fits your needs, use the [AI headshot generator](https://selfieai.me/ai-headshot-generator) to create portrait options from your own selfies.

## Choose the photo people will recognize

Before uploading, check your favorite photo against this list:

- **Compare it with your current appearance.** Replace an older photo if someone meeting you now might struggle to recognize you.
- **Inspect the details.** Look closely at eyes, glasses, collars, buttons, and hair edges, especially in generated or heavily edited images.
- **Preview it small.** Your face should still be easy to identify when the photo is thumbnail-sized.
- **Allow for the circle.** Keep your face centered with breathing room around your head.
- **Choose clarity over scenery.** A clear portrait against a plain wall is more useful here than a travel photo where you’re barely visible.

Pick one recognizable photo, then follow the [LinkedIn profile picture size and cropping guide](https://selfieai.me/blog/linkedin-profile-picture-size) to prepare it for upload.

Last updated: 2026-11-02