Your LinkedIn business headshot is your online business card to connect and engage with your audience and potential clients.

Yet as a professional portrait photographer (based in Brighton) I have seen thousands of LinkedIn accounts with:

1. blank profile picture (this makes you less real in the virtual world)

2. selfies (this sends a message of not being professional and serious)

3. blurred low quality portrait image

4. headshot with very distracting background

5. very old cropped image from some sort of event or wedding!

If you wish to create a good first impression online then it’s time to invest in a professional portrait photoshoot with your local personal brand photographer.

As a female photographer based in Brighton and Sussex, my mission is helping camera-shy business owners, entrepreneurs and creative stand out and look professional online by creating a bespoke bank of stunning, on-brand lifestyle portraits and headshot images.

But I do it differently!

Secret to good LinkedIn business headshots:

1. I am saying “NO” to boring traditional headshots using a black or white wall/backdrop, strong studio light and camera flash.

This style of commercial headshots was popular back in nineties!

Nowadays, it’s all about: building connection, stop the scroll, stand out from the crowd, drive engagement, tell the story.

And that the power of professional personal brand portrait images (some people call “lifestyle business portraits) which you can use as your LinkedIn profile image, on your website (hero image, about me section, blogging) and across your social media portfolio.

2. You don’t have to go to a professional photography studio for your business headshots!

Yes, your read it correctly and yes a professional photographer is suggesting it.

Think minimalistic, simple lines, bright and airy space or location which you can find literally anywhere around you, your house, your office, co-working space, outdoor in nature or in my house studio.

Your audience is looking for authenticity, relatability, story telling. For that reason I am a big advocate of replacing the cold and artificial professional studio with an environment which truly represents who you are as a professional.

Here are 8 reasons why you should do an in-home personal brand photo session.

3. Smile! We want to see the sparkles in your eyes, big beautiful smile, facIAL expression which is approachable.

Commercial headshots do not have to be serious!

Quite the opposite.

Your smile is a symbol of being approachable, welcoming and open to connect. There are many ways you can smile on the picture without showing your teeth.

4. Avoid busy backgrounds, keep it simple. Less is more.

You want to draw attention to you, not what’s behind you.

For that reason make sure that space you are using for your headshot photoshoot is declarer, bright, airy.

Although the background will be blurred on the final picture, yet the bright and bold colour will stand out.

5. Lighting is important. Use the natural source of light ( big window) rather usinga ring light.

This might surprise you but headshots taken using natural light are much more radiant and attractive compare to using ring light or strong artificial light.

Your skin will look healthier and more radiant too.

As professional portrait photographer I only use natural light. My clients are in love with the final results: natural looking, authentic, relaxed business headshots and brand portrait images without excessive editing and very little re-touching.

Photography tip: A common mistake I see on the typical Linkein picture is when strong light is behind you or when the picture is taken in dark space. As a result the headshot is too dark or has plenty of shadows near the eye area.

6. Choose an outfit which reflects who you are rather than trying impressed others

One of the most common question I’ve been asked before the portrait photoshoot is : what to wear ?

I always invite my clients to select an outfit which truly reflects who they are and is relevant for their target audience (for example, do not wear a blue suit if you’re an artist!).

Photography tip: As far as clothing is concerned, keep it simple. Throw in a little colour if you’d like to, but avoid busy patterns unless your brand is bold. Keep the clothing casual, colourful, and try to avoid logos or branded clothing as this will date your images and distract the viewer. I would suggest bringing 2-5 different outfits so we can choose on the day.

Meet you headshot photographer

Many of my clients approach me saying I am tired of using the same old picture of me which was taken more than 5 or 10 years ago because it doesn’t look like me any more.

Many of my clients say as well they are camera shy and do not like their picture taken.

I have you covered.

Further tips and suggestions for your upcoming portrait photoshoot:

1). RELAXED PERSONAL BRAND BUSINESS PORTRAIT PHOTOSHOOT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT FROM BRIGHTON

2). HOW LONG DOES THE PORTRAIT OR HEADSHOT PHOTOSHOOT TAKE? SUSSEX BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER

3). INCREASE YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS VISIBILITY WITH SCROLL STOPPING HEADSHOTS PHOTOGRAPHY BRIGHTON UK