How to get the most out of your Linkedin profile photo session? 5 top tips

So, you've booked a Linkedin profile photo session with a photographer (hopefully me!) - now what?!

You probably hate having your photo taken (doesn't everybody?!) and are not especially looking forward to it. In fact, some people even compare having a headshot done with going to the dentist - it's something you have to do, but don't exactly look forward to!

Fear not - with these 5 easy tips, you can make sure your photo session runs smoothly and you come out of it with a photo you can be proud of and that you're happy to share across the ether. But beware - you may even find you enjoy it!

Tip 1: What should I wear? I am asked this ALL the time. My answer is always the same.....

My advice is always to wear something that you feel confident in and not something you feel you should wear. Also, bear in mind that potential and current clients will see these photographs - so, I think the best advice would be to wear whatever you would wear for a client meeting.

· For women in particular here are a few general tips:

• You will always exude a much more relaxed persona when you are wearing something that you feel comfortable in. Also, you want your headshot to last more than a year, so classic, timeless clothes are best rather than something that will date.
  
• You can never go wrong with a classic, crisp white shirt which you can dress up/dress down with say, a colourful scarf/cardigan/necklace or jacket.
  
• Long sleeves are good – much more flattering
  
• Consider a jacket or a cardigan – something that can be removed/put on to give another look. (also consider scarves/necklaces which can also change an outfit)
  
• Don’t opt for busy, bold patterns – they will date quickly and also distract from your face. Consider solid colours or simple patterns

· For men in particular here are a few general tips:

• Wear an ironed shirt and also perhaps bring a suit jacket/tie so we can try a few different options. You may wear a suit for client meetings, but will perhaps consider an open neck shirt for more relaxed social media profiles?
  
• Also perhaps bring a couple of different shirt/tie combinations - you'd be amazed how different you look in different colour combinations

· For men and women:

• Remember – the photograph is only going to be you from the waist up so don’t worry too much about your lower half.
  
• and most importantly – you need to look like YOU . Don’t go trying out a completely new look!

Tip 2: Should I smile or not?

To smile, or not to smile……that is the question! Some people are very self-conscious about smiling but my view is that a photograph of someone with even the slightest of smiles will convey the impression of being far more approachable, likeable and confident than someone just staring at you. This gives the impression that you are uninterested and lack confidence. For example - which one of these two photographs do you think is more friendly and approachable?

Tip 3: What about my glasses? Will they be an issue?

If you wear glasses for the majority of the time, I would suggest that you have your photo taken with them (we want the photo to look like you after all!). However, I won’t lie, they do add certain technical problems when it comes to reflections. So, if you only occasionally wear them, I would suggest having the photograph taken without them.

Tip 4: I hate having my photo taken – will you be able to get a natural photo of me?

Please don’t be put off having your photo taken just because you think you don’t like doing it. I promise that I have photographed hundreds of people – nearly all of which constantly tell me they hate having their picture taken. Nearly every single one of them has left my sessions pleasantly surprised. In fact – I usually receive the (slightly backwards) compliment of ‘It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be’. Some – have even said they enjoyed it!

So – trust me – the headshot session will be very relaxed. I can direct you on how to stand, what to do with your hands etc.. if you’d like me to but usually, most people find it just comes naturally as we chat and I click away!

Tip 5: What sort of headshot do I need?

I can take care of the technical stuff behind the camera, but sometimes it is difficult to get an impression of what exactly you want your photograph to look like. So, the best exercise I can recommend is to spend a few minutes on Linkedin looking up people in similar professions to you and see which photos you like and equally those you don’t like! Do a quick right click and copy the photos onto a word document. Then send it through to me. This is the best way of visually communicating to me exactly what you like and don’t like!

So that's it - hopefully that covers the majority of questions you may have about what to expect from a headshot session and how to get the best out of it. Now all you need are some details of my next headshot day!

When: May 4th 2018 (half hour slots available between 9.30 - 4)

Where: My Workspot Maidenhead (2nd Floor, 85 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DU)

How much: £50 for a half hour headshot session. The price includes the session itself, then a selection of professionally edited and retouched photos from which you will choose your favourite. This will be supplied to you as a high resolution jpeg and also a cropped version for online use. Additional jpegs available at a cost of £20 each.

If you would like to book a session with me - please email me on pennie@photosbypennie.co.uk or phone for a chat on 07715 889457. I look forward to hearing from you. Pennie