Most people don’t hate their headshot. They just don’t trust it to represent them anymore. LinkedIn is the one place where a single photo can quietly decide whether someone keeps scrolling or clicks.

If you’ve ever looked at your LinkedIn photo and thought, “That doesn’t really feel like me anymore,” you’re not alone. Most professionals keep an outdated headshot longer than they realize, and the result is a profile that feels slightly off even when everything else is strong.

Rosa came in with a clear goal: a professional headshot that looks current, confident, and approachable without feeling stiff or overly posed. After 30+ years photographing professionals across Northern New Jersey and NYC, I’ve learned that the best headshots don’t come from perfect posing. They come from clear direction, clean light, and an expression that feels real.

What Makes This Headshot Work (and Why It Reads “Trustworthy”)

A headshot is often your first impression before anyone reads a word about you. Research from Princeton University shows that people form judgments about trustworthiness and competence from a face in as little as 100 milliseconds.

That’s why a modern headshot isn’t about looking “perfect”. It’s about looking current, credible, and easy to talk to at a glance.

Rosa’s headshot succeeds because of three elements:

1. Clean lighting that feels modern

The lighting is soft and controlled with natural skin tones and no harsh shadows. It’s polished enough for corporate use, but it still feels human.

2. A natural expression that feels confident

Her smile reads warm and capable, the combination most professionals want for LinkedIn and company websites. It’s approachable without trying too hard.

3. A background that supports, not distracts

The soft neutral background keeps the attention on Rosa’s face. It adds warmth and depth without competing, which is exactly what you want for a headshot that will be used across multiple platforms.

Polished, Not Posed

A lot of people assume they need to be “good at photos” to get a great headshot. They don’t.

My job is to guide you step by step so your expression looks like you on your best day, not like a forced photo. Posed looks like “camera face”. Polished looks like you mid-conversation, with great light and subtle direction. Small adjustments make the difference: shoulders relaxed, chin placement, and a few quick prompts that bring out a real expression instead of a camera face.

If you’re exploring options, start here: professional headshots.

Where This Headshot Works Best

This kind of professional headshot is designed to work everywhere your name shows up online. It works especially well for:

LinkedIn profile photos

Company websites and team pages

Speaker bios and conference materials

Press features and award announcements

Personal branding and professional networking

If you’re in a people-facing role like leadership, sales, healthcare, law, finance, real estate, or recruiting, a modern headshot like this helps you look current and approachable right away.

What to Wear for a Headshot Like This

Rosa’s wardrobe choice is simple and smart. A clean white top reads professional, modern, and confident, and it photographs well against a warm neutral background.

If you want a similar look:

Choose solid colors over busy patterns

Avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily

Keep jewelry minimal so it doesn’t steal attention

Match your wardrobe to your industry and the roles you’re pursuing

The same principles that make Rosa’s headshot work, clean light, calm direction, and natural expression, apply whether you’re a senior executive or just starting your career. Here’s an example of professional headshot work with younger professionals and students to show how this approach translates across different career stages.

How Long Does a Headshot Session Take?

Most headshot sessions are efficient, but the key isn’t rushing. It’s having a process. I keep the session relaxed, give clear direction, and move quickly once we lock in the look.

Fast turnaround matters too, because headshot updates usually happen for a real reason: a new role, a promotion, a job search, a website refresh, or a big pitch. When your new image is ready quickly, you can use it while that momentum is still there.

And if you’re updating your LinkedIn and website anyway, this is also a great moment to capture a short intro video or a few quick vertical clips for LinkedIn. I offer video coverage and content creation alongside photography, so you can walk away with a full set of modern assets in one session.

Let’s Get Your Headshot Updated

If your current photo feels outdated, or you’re not proud to use it on LinkedIn, it’s time. You don’t need to know how to pose. You just need good light, clear guidance, and a process that gets a natural expression.

Book your session here: Contact.

---

📞 917-992-9097
🌐 alexkaplanphoto.com
📍 Northern New Jersey + NYC
Also available: video coverage + content creation