have a family member take your head shot (from your shoulders up) with you standing (not sitting) in front of (not leaning against) a plain wall that has nothing hanging on it and do it with good lighting but not so much lighting that you "bright" yourself out of it. If you don't have a photo editor make sure the photo is straight and no need to crop it if there is too much wall behind you and not enough of you. That should do it.
Hi Barbara. Thanks for liking the picture. I tried many times to get the photo right, but my publisher needed two professional photos for my upcoming book release (Sept 4) and decided to have it done professionally for the best results. There is so much competition out there in the world, I believe doing everything 'top drawer' helps to distinguish one from the others, and that's usually the approach I take. So - hire a photographer. You will be amazed how good your promo pic will look!
I was lucky in that a friend of mine sells Mary Kay, and they had an evening where they did your makeup and then a photographer came to take headshots. It cost $25, but I've gotten a big return and I use it for everything in my business. That said, I think taking a photo of yourself for LinkedIn is fine as long as it's not a selfie and it's taken by someone else with a nice background.
Business from Minneapolis, MN
Answered on Jun 13th, 2018
Wow, thanks. The only photo I have, that I like is the one I have up now.
I want people to think I am serious, but when I see head shots I think, that is so not me.
I am not the blazer and suite kind of person. In fact I feel very uncomfortable in them.
Great ideas, I really want to get my LinkedIn page up because I am told I need one.
I have use my own as people want to see the real you. True professionals capture more character but overall, try to be as true to yourself as possible.
Using your own camera will not allow you to see what a trained eye can see. But going to someone who calls themselves a "professional" doesn't always mean they know how to really operate a camera, pose the client to present them best, and set lighting for that client and not use the generic lighting they use for everyone because they don't know how to change it. There a re a lot of great photographers out there but even more impostors. If you want a great head shot, do some research and find someone whose portfolio includes more than the sit there and smile shot. Never do a selfie though. Those are usually done with wide angle views which distort your face. Be realistic about what you look like. Selfies are unprofessional.
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Answers (31-40)
have a family member take your head shot (from your shoulders up) with you standing (not sitting) in front of (not leaning against) a plain wall that has nothing hanging on it and do it with good lighting but not so much lighting that you "bright" yourself out of it. If you don't have a photo editor make sure the photo is straight and no need to crop it if there is too much wall behind you and not enough of you. That should do it.
Of course smile...
Hi Barbara. Thanks for liking the picture. I tried many times to get the photo right, but my publisher needed two professional photos for my upcoming book release (Sept 4) and decided to have it done professionally for the best results. There is so much competition out there in the world, I believe doing everything 'top drawer' helps to distinguish one from the others, and that's usually the approach I take. So - hire a photographer. You will be amazed how good your promo pic will look!
I was lucky in that a friend of mine sells Mary Kay, and they had an evening where they did your makeup and then a photographer came to take headshots. It cost $25, but I've gotten a big return and I use it for everything in my business. That said, I think taking a photo of yourself for LinkedIn is fine as long as it's not a selfie and it's taken by someone else with a nice background.
Wow, thanks. The only photo I have, that I like is the one I have up now.
I want people to think I am serious, but when I see head shots I think, that is so not me.
I am not the blazer and suite kind of person. In fact I feel very uncomfortable in them.
Great ideas, I really want to get my LinkedIn page up because I am told I need one.
Thanks again
Barb
I have use my own as people want to see the real you. True professionals capture more character but overall, try to be as true to yourself as possible.
Bill
Don’t need a professional. I phone or similar is fine
I used my own pic. you should be able to take a pic and upload it on your linkin.
If I am serious about my business and first impressions my photo is an extension of how I pay attention to details.
There is a lot of competition out there and anything can be used to cut the field so I say don’t help them! Do everything you can professionally.
Hi Barbara,
I have seen both. I recently changed mine because we had new pictures taken for our website. Have a great day! !
Using your own camera will not allow you to see what a trained eye can see. But going to someone who calls themselves a "professional" doesn't always mean they know how to really operate a camera, pose the client to present them best, and set lighting for that client and not use the generic lighting they use for everyone because they don't know how to change it. There a re a lot of great photographers out there but even more impostors. If you want a great head shot, do some research and find someone whose portfolio includes more than the sit there and smile shot.
Never do a selfie though. Those are usually done with wide angle views which distort your face. Be realistic about what you look like. Selfies are unprofessional.