How to Take Perfect LinkedIn Headshots at Home

Your LinkedIn profile photo is your first impression. A great headshot can increase your profile views by 14x and attract 93% of recruiters. Here's how you can take a professional-looking photo at home:

• Camera: Use a smartphone with portrait mode or a DSLR with a 50-85mm lens.
• Lighting: Opt for natural light near a window or use budget-friendly tools like ring lights or softboxes.
• Background: Keep it clean and simple - neutral colors work best.
• Posture: Angle your body slightly, lean forward, and smile naturally.
• Clothing: Solid colors that contrast with your skin tone; avoid patterns.
• Editing: Use tools like Lightroom for subtle touch-ups - adjust brightness, remove blemishes, and keep it natural.

For even easier results, consider AI headshot tools, which can transform your selfies into professional portraits for as low as $29.

A polished LinkedIn photo can make a huge difference - take the time to get it right!

I Created My LinkedIn Headshot using AI

Basic Equipment for Home Headshots

Taking professional LinkedIn headshots at home is easier than you might think. With a few affordable tools, you can create high-quality photos that meet professional standards.

Camera Options: Smartphone vs. DSLR/Mirrorless

Both modern smartphones and DSLR or mirrorless cameras can deliver excellent headshots. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide which works best for you:

For most people, a modern smartphone with portrait mode does the job well. If you’re using a DSLR, pair it with a 50-85mm prime lens ($250-$2,000) for sharp, flattering portraits [2].

Affordable Lighting Options

Lighting can make or break your headshots, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some budget-friendly options:

• Natural Window Light: Position yourself near a large window during early morning or late afternoon. Use a sheer curtain to soften the sunlight if needed [4].
• Ring Lights: The LÅNESPELARE ($39.99) includes adjustable color settings and a built-in phone holder [3].
• Reflectors: A basic 5-in-1 reflector kit ($30-$100) helps eliminate shadows and brighten your face.
• Softboxes: Starter kits are available for around $100 and provide soft, even lighting.

"While you only need 1 main light, bouncing and controlling that light is imperative." - Nataliya Lalor, Owner/Photographer of N. Lalor Photography LLC [2]

Setting Up Your Background

A clean and simple background ensures the focus stays on you. Here are a few options:

• A plain wall in white, gray, or another neutral color.
• A wrinkle-free bedsheet or fabric backdrop ($20-$200).
• Professional paper backdrops ($50-$150).

To create depth and avoid harsh shadows, stand 3-4 feet away from the background. Use stands and clamps ($100-$300) to keep your backdrop smooth and secure. With these tools, you can set up a home studio that delivers polished, professional headshots.

Home Studio Setup Steps

Once you've picked your equipment, it's time to arrange your space for the best results.

Window Light Placement

Natural light is your best friend. A north-facing window works well for soft, even lighting. Early mornings or evenings are the ideal times to shoot for flattering results.

Position yourself directly facing the window for balanced light. Alternatively, try a 45-degree angle to create depth. To reduce shadows, use a white foam board or reflector on the opposite side.

Clean Background Setup

Stick with a simple, neutral backdrop like white, gray, or black. Remove any clutter to keep the focus on you. Stand 3–4 feet away from the background to create depth and reduce shadows.

Camera Setup Guide

Whether you're using a smartphone or DSLR, place the camera at eye level or slightly above for a flattering perspective. If you're using a smartphone, clean the lens, use the back camera for better quality, and set it to standard photo mode (or 'Most Compatible' format). Frame your shot to include just your head and shoulders for a sharp, natural look.

With these steps, you'll have a strong setup to capture a great headshot.

Photo Preparation Tips

Your preparation plays a crucial role in creating a LinkedIn headshot that highlights your professional presence. With your equipment and setup in place, these final steps will help you achieve a polished result.

Professional Posture Guide

Your posture can make or break the impression your headshot leaves. Stand at an angle - about 10–45° away from the camera - while keeping your face directly forward. Lean slightly forward from the waist and shift your weight onto your back foot for a relaxed yet confident appearance [7]. If needed, use a wall or doorframe for support to maintain a natural, professional stance [7].

Once your posture is set, turn your attention to your facial expressions to complete your professional image.

Expression Guidelines

A genuine Duchenne smile - one that involves both your mouth and eyes - can create a positive impression and build trust by stimulating the brain's reward system [8].

"When your headshot displays an authentic smile, it conveys a sense of warmth, approachability, and a genuine willingness to connect with others, and this friendly and inviting expression can have a significant impact on how people perceive you in a professional setting." - N. Lalor Photography [8]

Relax your facial muscles, look directly at the camera, and engage your eyes for a natural smile or a slight smirk. This approach communicates confidence and openness [9].

After nailing your expression, focus on clothing that complements your professional appearance without drawing attention away from your face.

What to Wear

Choose clothing that contrasts with your skin tone and background while steering clear of busy patterns [10].

Key tips:

• Stick to solid colors instead of patterns [10].
• Ensure your outfit fits well and is wrinkle-free [10].
• Opt for long or three-quarter-length sleeves [12].
• Pick colors that complement your skin tone [11].

Keep accessories simple, and consider adding a tailored blazer or professional shirt to complete your look [13].

Photo Taking and Editing Steps

Phone Camera Setup

Set up your smartphone camera for the best photo quality. For iPhone users, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose "Most Compatible" to save images as JPG instead of HEIC[5].

Here are some key setup tips:

• Use the front-facing camera for better framing.
• Clean the camera lens for a clear shot.
• Stick to the default zoom; avoid using digital zoom.
• Frame the photo with enough space around your shoulders and head[5].

Photo Session Tips

Once your camera is ready, focus on techniques to capture a natural, professional look.

"One of the first things to keep in mind about how you look in your professional portraits? How you feel shows up on camera. The more at ease you are, the more the camera will pick up your natural personality rather than a forced pose that you wouldn't normally do."[14]

Use these tips during your session:

To bring out genuine expressions, imagine you're chatting with a friend over coffee[15].

"Think happy, wholesome thoughts when you smile. Happy thoughts will bring an authentic smile to your eyes and mouth."[16]

Basic Photo Editing

After taking your photos, fine-tune them with these straightforward editing steps:

1. Foundation Corrections

   • Fix lens distortion and vignetting for a balanced look[17].

2. Color and Exposure

   • Adjust the white balance and exposure to ensure natural skin tones[17].

3. Skin Retouching

   • Keep edits subtle:
     • Use soft brushes for light skin smoothing.
     • Remove temporary blemishes while keeping natural features intact[17].

4. Final Adjustments

   • Brighten eyes slightly with exposure tweaks.
   • Eliminate distracting background elements.
   • Tidy up stray hairs for a polished result[17].

Tools like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop are excellent for editing, but the goal is to enhance your photo without over-editing[17].

AI Photo Tools Guide

AI Headshot Tools Explained

AI headshot tools turn your selfies into polished, professional portraits. These platforms analyze your facial features, adjust lighting, and refine composition to create headshots that meet professional standards, like those for LinkedIn. They handle tasks like fixing exposure, enhancing facial details, removing blemishes while keeping natural textures intact, removing backgrounds, and upscaling images to high resolution.

Ritratt Usage Instructions

"Ritratt is a cutting-edge AI platform that transforms ordinary photos into professional, magazine-quality portraits perfect for elevating your LinkedIn profile, company website, marketing materials, and personal brand."

• Ritratt Documentation [18]

These steps make creating professional headshots simple and accessible. Now, let’s dive into some of the key benefits of using AI tools.

AI Tool Benefits

AI headshot tools bring clear advantages over traditional photography. For example, one platform has already generated over 300,000 headshots [19], highlighting how quickly users are adopting this technology. Here’s why:

Cost Savings

• Packages start at just $29 for 50 headshots.
• No need to invest in pricey studio equipment.
• A one-time payment replaces ongoing photographer fees.

Time Efficiency

• Fast results, usually within 1–3 hours depending on the package.
• Generate multiple style options in one go.
• Finished images are delivered instantly.

Consistent Quality

• Reliable results across all photos.
• Professional retouching that looks natural.
• High-resolution images perfect for professional use.

For the best results, ensure your photos have good lighting and a clean background before uploading [19].

Conclusion: Final Steps for LinkedIn Photos

Once you've nailed your headshot with the right setup, preparation, and editing, make sure it aligns with LinkedIn's standards. Here's a quick checklist to fine-tune your photo for LinkedIn.

Technical Requirements

• Image size: At least 400×400 pixels (up to 7680×4320 pixels)
• File size: Maximum of 8MB
• Resolution: 72 dpi for web display
• Crop: Square, framing from shoulders to just above your head

Quality Guidelines

• Your face should fill about 60% of the frame
• The image should be sharp and free of blur
• Use natural, soft lighting
• Keep the background clean and uncluttered
• Ensure the photo reflects your current appearance

"Your profile picture is a key element of your LinkedIn presence... this little round image is your first chance to make a good impression on your LinkedIn network connections - and it's a key element of your personal brand."
– Lydia Abbot, Content @ Prezent | Ex-LinkedIn [20]

Final Review Tips

• Check how the photo looks at different thumbnail sizes
• Preview it on both mobile and desktop devices
• Experiment with LinkedIn's filters to adjust brightness and contrast
• Update your headshot every 1-2 years or after noticeable changes in your appearance [1]

Photos with an open, genuine smile (showing teeth) are often perceived as twice as friendly compared to closed-mouth expressions [20]. Following these steps ensures your LinkedIn photo creates a strong, professional first impression. Once you're satisfied, upload it and let your profile shine.