Your LinkedIn photo is working for you, or against you, right now. Here’s how to make sure it’s doing the right job.

Your LinkedIn Photo Makes an Impression Before You Say a Word

Think about the last time you looked someone up on LinkedIn before a meeting, a call, or a job interview. You formed an opinion before you read a single word of their bio. That’s exactly what’s happening when someone clicks on your profile.

I’m Alex Kaplan, a Bergen County headshot photographer with 30+ years of experience and 600+ five-star Google reviews. I’ve worked with attorneys, financial advisors, real estate professionals, executives, and healthcare providers across Northern NJ, and I hear the same thing all the time: “I’ve been meaning to update that photo for years.”

A strong LinkedIn headshot signals professionalism, approachability, and credibility within the first few seconds. A blurry selfie, an outdated photo, or a cropped event picture sends a very different message. For professionals in Hackensack, Paramus, Ridgewood, Englewood, Fort Lee, Teaneck, and across Bergen County and Northern NJ, including Hudson County professionals and NYC-based commuters who work on this side of the bridge, your LinkedIn photo is often the first handshake. It should be a good one.

What Actually Makes a LinkedIn Headshot Work

Not all professional photos are created equal. Here’s what separates a headshot that converts from one that blends into the scroll.

Clean, uncluttered backgrounds keep the focus on you, whether that’s a seamless studio backdrop, a softly blurred office setting, or a simple outdoor environment. The background should support the image, not compete with it.

Proper lighting is everything. Flat or harsh light can make even the most polished professional look underprepared. Good headshot lighting is even, flattering, and intentional, and it’s one of the biggest differences between a studio session and a phone photo taken in a conference room.

A genuine expression matters more than people realize. The goal isn’t to look serious. It’s to look confident and approachable. If you want a quick reference for what “polished but natural” looks like, here’s an example of a professional headshot that shows the level of expression and clean lighting we aim for in every session.

Correct framing for LinkedIn means a tight crop, roughly from the shoulders up, that fills the circular profile frame without cutting off the top of your head or burying you in dead space.

What to Wear (and It Depends on Your Industry)

There’s no single dress code for a LinkedIn headshot, but there are smart guidelines based on what your clients and colleagues expect to see.

Finance, Law, and Corporate Leadership: Tailored suits, blazers, and solid or subtly patterned dress shirts. Navy, charcoal, and deep jewel tones photograph beautifully. Avoid loud patterns or anything too casual.

Healthcare and Medical Professionals: A clean white coat over professional attire reads as instantly credible. Scrubs can work depending on your role and the audience you’re speaking to.

Real Estate and Sales: Business professional to business casual both work well here. The key is looking polished and approachable at the same time. Confident, warmer colors can work in your favor.

Creative Industries and Tech: You have a bit more flexibility. Smart casual works, layering adds visual interest, and a little personality comes through. Just keep it intentional.

A general rule for everyone: Wear what you’d wear to meet your most important client. Bring a backup outfit. Solid mid-tones photograph better than all-white or all-black, and busy prints pull attention away from your face.

Studio vs. Outdoor: Which Is Right for You?

Both have their place, and the right choice comes down to your industry, your brand, and what you’ll actually use the images for.

Studio headshots give you complete control over lighting, background, and consistency. They’re ideal for professionals who want a clean, polished look, especially teams where everyone needs to match. Law firms, financial groups, and medical practices in Bergen County almost always go this route. The results are predictable in the best way.

Outdoor headshots have a warmer, more natural feel. They work well for real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants something with a bit more personality. Northern NJ has plenty of great options: architectural backgrounds in downtown areas, open greenery in county parks, and light-filled spots that don’t feel staged.

Some clients do both in the same session, which is worth considering. Your LinkedIn profile, your website bio, your email signature, and your speaking page may all call for something slightly different, and having options costs you very little extra time.

What a Session Looks Like

The session starts before you walk through the door. Once you book, you’ll receive guidance on what to wear, what to bring, and how to prepare so you feel confident, not anxious.

When you arrive, there’s no rushing. The first few minutes are about getting comfortable, talking through your goals, and making sure everything is dialed in for your specific look and industry. The camera comes out when you’re ready.

The approach throughout is relaxed and conversational. I hear this all the time after sessions: “I forgot the camera was even there.” That’s exactly the goal. The best headshots don’t look like a photoshoot. They look like you on your best day.

You’ll have the opportunity to review images during the session so we can make real adjustments, not guesses.

Not sure if your current photo is worth keeping? Send it over along with your industry, and I’ll tell you what I’d change and what to wear for your session. No obligation, just a straight answer.

Outfit Changes and What You’ll Receive

Most professionals benefit from two outfit options during their session: one more formal, one slightly more relaxed. Outfit changes are built into the session and handled efficiently, so you’re not spending half your day in a studio.

After the session, your images are carefully edited and delivered through a private online gallery. You’ll receive high-resolution files optimized for web use, including crops sized correctly for LinkedIn’s circular profile frame and background banner dimensions. Turnaround is fast and communicated clearly before your session. Most individual sessions are delivered within a week, and rush delivery is available when you need it.

Retouching is natural and conservative. The goal is the best version of you, not an altered version. I hear a lot of concern about this beforehand, and almost nobody mentions it after they see the photos.

Need more than headshots? I also offer short brand video clips and content creation for professionals looking to build a fuller presence on LinkedIn and their website. Worth a conversation if you’re stepping into a new role or relaunching your brand.

Team and Group Headshots for Bergen County Businesses

A consistent set of headshots across your team’s LinkedIn profiles makes your company look organized, credible, and cohesive. It’s one of the fastest ways to elevate how a firm presents itself online.

I can set up in your Bergen County conference room, photograph people in 5 to 8 minutes each, and keep the day moving with minimal disruption to client hours and maximum output. We’ll plan a simple schedule so each person is in and out quickly, with consistent lighting and matching crops across the team. Studio sessions are also available when consistency and full lighting control are the priority. Early morning time slots are available for teams that can’t afford to pull people out of their day.

Learn more about what’s included in a full team session on the corporate headshots page.

When It’s Time to Update Your LinkedIn Photo

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time.

• Your photo is more than three years old.
• Your appearance has changed: haircut, weight, or simply a different chapter of your career.
• Your current photo was taken at an event or cropped from a group shot.
• You’ve changed industries or roles and your image no longer fits the brand you’re building.
• You’re actively searching, pitching new clients, or launching something and your profile needs to match where you’re headed.

Your LinkedIn photo is one of the most-viewed images of you anywhere online. It deserves the same attention you give your resume.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a LinkedIn headshot session take?
Most individual sessions run between 30 and 60 minutes, including time to settle in, review options, and go through outfit changes. It’s thorough without being drawn out, and most professionals tell me it was faster and easier than they expected.

What are the right photo dimensions for LinkedIn?
LinkedIn recommends a square image between 400 x 400 pixels and 7680 x 4320 pixels, saved as a JPG or PNG under 8MB. Your profile photo displays in a circular frame, so a tight crop with your face centered is important. Wide shots lose detail fast inside that circle. LinkedIn also offers a background banner image at 1584 x 396 pixels, which is worth using as a second branding touchpoint. You’ll receive files from your session sized and optimized for all of these. For the full spec breakdown, see LinkedIn’s official photo help page.

Should I bring multiple outfits?
Yes, and it’s worth doing. Two or three options give you versatility across platforms: your LinkedIn profile, website bio, email signature, and any press or speaking materials. A quick change mid-session adds maybe ten minutes and significantly expands what you walk away with.

What’s the difference between a LinkedIn headshot session and a personal branding session?
A LinkedIn headshot is focused on that tight, professional portrait for your profile. A personal branding session is broader. It produces a full library of images for your website, social media content, speaking bio, and marketing materials. You can learn more on the personal branding page. Some clients start with a headshot session and expand from there once they see how the images perform.

Do I need professional hair and makeup?
That’s entirely your call. Many clients come as they would for a normal workday and are very happy with the results. Others prefer to have hair and makeup done beforehand, which can add a layer of polish they appreciate. Either approach works. Editing handles skin tone and lighting refinement on the back end, and retouching is always natural, never overdone.

Ready to Update Your LinkedIn Photo?

If your current LinkedIn photo isn’t reflecting where you are in your career, or where you’re headed, let’s take care of it. Sessions are available for individuals, executives, and full teams throughout Bergen County and Northern NJ, with flexible scheduling built around busy professionals.

Book your session here or reach out directly to talk through what makes the most sense for your goals. The process is easier than you think, and the difference in your profile will be immediate.

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Alex Kaplan Photography is based in New Milford, NJ and serves professionals throughout Bergen County and Northern New Jersey, including Hackensack, Paramus, Ridgewood, Englewood, Fort Lee, Teaneck, and the surrounding areas, as well as Hudson County and NYC-based commuters. With 30+ years of experience and 580+ five-star Google reviews, the work speaks for itself.