Most people invest hours into creating the best version of their LinkedIn profile. They diligently list their awards and accomplishments. Also, they explain their job experiences in length to the point of exhausting the thesaurus for the right words to describe their success. While this is a must, there is something that some people miss to focus on that is equally as important or more.
A significant number of individuals spend little time and effort incorporating a killer, professional picture into their LinkedIn profile. Remember, your profile picture is the first thing prospects see next to your name and designation, even before they look at your exquisite resume. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a visual that gives a good and lasting impression.
According to psychological studies, the first impression sticks and remains consistent over time. Hence, it is a must to put your best foot forward. Ensure that your profile picture portrays a positive image of you. To help you with that, allow us to walk you through several tips you can follow for a stunning look on your LinkedIn profile picture!
Style your hair.
Ensure that your hair is clean and styled in the finest way possible. The colour should be up to date and relevant to the industry you are applying for. Hence, for a clean look, if it is coloured, make sure that any sign of natural regrowth is not apparent. For men, have the hair trimmed for a neat look if needed.
On the day of the shoot, keep your hairbrush and hairspray within reach. These will give you the magic you need for final touches right before the session. If a change in the air catches you by surprise, there is no quick fix that dry shampoo cannot do. Remember, only the front side will be shown in the camera. Hence, invest all your time and effort there.
Wear appropriate makeup.
The number one makeup rule in a photoshoot is to avoid dewy foundation and shimmery eye shadows and blushes by sticking to satin or matte cosmetics. The latter works well with the camera flash and gives a fresh look without making the skin appear oily nor emphasising the fine lines in photographs. If your skin is on the oilier side of the spectrum, set your foundation in T-zone with some translucent powder to avoid excessive shine. Do not forget to pop a concealer to neutralise dark shadows and circles around the eyes for a more lively look. For all these, ensure all products match your skin colour to avoid unevenness.
The eyebrows are very expressive. Shape and groom them well for a foolproof sophisticated look. Also, mascara can really open and define your eyes if applying eyeshadow is too complicated for you. When it comes to the lipstick, choose a colour that is not too dark as this can look harsh and make your lips look thinner. Experiment with lip colours that do not deviate too far from your natural lip colour. You can’t go wrong with neutral tones that compliment your skin tone.
Follow these tips, and you will be guaranteed an easy to create natural look!
Wear your most outstanding clothes.
One of the secrets to having a stunning shot is feeling your most comfortable and confident. Hence, check your wardrobe for pieces that make you feel this way! However, check that these are industry-appropriate and select from the formal or smart-casual side.
Avoid extremely bright colours and busy patterns and prints because these may draw your audience's eyes from your face. Another thing to consider is the neckline of your top. A V-neck lengthens the neck while the boat one widens the shoulders. Opt for the one that enhances your physique and steer clear from deep necklines for a more professional look. Since the mirror does not predict how you really look in pictures, try a couple of sets to see how the shots will turn out and so you can have more options. With a blazer and a tie or without, dress as someone you will trust!
Give your best smile and pose.
Photograph poses look easy to execute, but in reality, this is not as effortless to do for most people. This can be true for you if you are not used to being in front of the camera. If a seating position is your choice, keep your body at a 45-degree angle from the camera and turn your face back to it, lean in toward the camera.. If you will be standing, try posing straight on and at 45-degree to your left and to your right. At the end of the day, you will have an ample number of shots to choose from.
Regardless of your position, push your chin slightly forward, this slims and defines the jaw line thus avoiding a double chin in photos. Express different smiles from soft and subtle to your biggest one. But make sure to relax your face every now and then to avoid feeling stiff, which can get in the way of a naturally beautiful smile.
If you are hiring a photographer, you can also prepare by practising poses and smiles in front of the mirror at home this will give you more confidence during the session. Showing only your best on the day of the shoot will give you more room for the artist's suggestions and direction. This can result in a better working experience for both of you!
When applying for jobs and networking with prospects, the key is to be yourself. If need be, allow a professional photographer to amplify your personality through exquisite visual images that can get you a long way!
At Simona Janek, I will present you in the best possible light. As a former model and an HMU artist slash photographer myself, I will guide you through the shoot while knowing what it is like being in your shoes. As a professional photographer in Sydney, I take pride in my ability to bring you the best imagery that will connect you with your target audience.
We offer services like maternity photography Sydney, newborn photography Sydney and LinkedIn photography Sydney.