If there’s a social media network for professional or business purposes, it’d be Linkedin. According to some experts, LinkedIn is like Facebook which allows you to connect with business-minded people to expand your professional network.

But unlike Facebook where you can show off your selfies, travel goals, and candid pictures, you need to be formal and decent in your LinkedIn photo to make a strong impression. The experts reveal these tips to help you achieve an attractive and stunning LinkedIn photo to compliment with your profile.

Dress Down

While some industries still favor photos of people wearing formal clothes or business attire, some clients or employers are now open to seeing other people wearing casual yet presentable clothes. With the rise of the gig economy, the experts say most professionals nowadays want to see a combination of confidence, authority, relatability, and openness.

Wear casual yet presentable clothes when you take your LinkedIn photo.

They want to see a professional who excels in his own field while retaining their comfort, humor, and wit. The professionals want to see how you balance well your life and work compared to traditional and too formal attires which exude a stern approach and too much authority. So if you want to top your attire with that sports jacket, wear a dress shirt with a tie, or match your button-down shirt with cardigan pants, feel free to do so.

Put Some Color On

When we think of colors for our business attire, most people would choose black. This color has been used in the corporate world since forever, so you might want to stray away if you want to add some touches of color to your photos. According to psychologists,
black brings a grim and gloomy appearance to the table, as if you’re down and attending a funeral.

This causes people who look at your profile to feel sad and gloomy too, which prompts them to avoid associating with you. So if you want to put some color in your photo, the experts recommend you choose the color blue which exudes calmness and coziness, green for vibrancy and being natural, or yellow for radiance and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to mix up warm and dark colors to determine which ones match your personality well.

Pay Attention To Your Photo Background

Experts recommend choosing solid colors for background, rather than prints.

While it’s tempting to pose in a photo with a stunning background like sceneries or the magnificent Eiffel Tower, you shouldn’t feature it on your LinkedIn photo. Why? It’s because the experts say the people’s attention will stray away from the main star – which is you! Instead of gazing at you, their attention would focus on the background instead.

So, instead of putting a beautiful and eye-catching background, the experts recommend you settle with simple ones like solid colors over printed ones. Adjust the saturation if you have to and keep the objects in your photo frame minimal and simple.

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When submitting a traditional resume, most people take a 1×1 or 2×2 photo of them showing their face. But according to PhotoFeeler‘s research, close-up photos nowadays has adeclining appeal amongst professionals. According to them, close-up photos look too formal and authoritative.

Displaying your full body shots, however, exude competence, confidence, and influence.

If you don’t like to display your full body, a good rule of thumb according to the experts would be taking a photo from your head either to your shoulders or torso. They also recommend doing a natural pose to maintain the natural balance of your body’s curve and lines.

Relax Your Eyes and Smile

Most people tend to open their eyes wide when having close-up photos. However, the experts say it only gives an impression that you’re unprepared, surprised, or scared. Instead, relax your eyes as if you’re having a normal day to give off the feeling of being attentive, approachable, and confident. As much as possible, put on a smile too to give off a warm impression.