How to Take the Perfect LinkedIn Profile Picture

Before you upload and perfect your LinkedIn headshot with BeFunky’s Photo Editor, it's important to know what makes a great profile photo in the first place. A well-captured image can instantly boost your credibility, help recruiters recognize you, and set the tone for your personal brand.

Here’s your ultimate guide to snapping a standout LinkedIn portrait – plus the tools that can help make it shine.

Tips for Capturing a Professional LinkedIn Profile Photo

Here's a little sentence.

1. Start With the Right Format

LinkedIn displays all profile photos in a circular frame, but they must be uploaded as a square image, ideally 400 x 400 pixels. This means you need to leave some breathing room around your head and shoulders when taking the shot, so none of your features get cropped out.

If you’re not sure how to crop or size it perfectly, BeFunky’s Crop and Resize tools make it easy to adjust your photo to the exact specifications needed.

2. Find the Best Lighting

Good lighting can make the difference between a lackluster photo and one that truly pops. Natural light is often your best bet – aim for diffused daylight from a window or shoot outside during golden hour for the softest effect.

If you’re working with limited light indoors, use lamps to fill in shadows and avoid harsh overhead lighting. Once your photo is captured, you can fine-tune exposure, brightness, contrast, highlights, and shadows with BeFunky’s Exposure tool to get everything balanced just right.

3. Frame Your Face Properly

According to LinkedIn, your face should take up around 60% of the image. That means framing your photo from just below your shoulders to just above the top of your head is ideal. It keeps the focus on you while giving enough context to feel polished and intentional.

If you need to make cropping adjustments after shooting, use our Crop tool to nail the composition.

4. Keep It Approachable – and Professional

Your photo should reflect both your personality and the professionalism of your field. A genuine smile makes you seem more likable, competent, and influential – all of which can help you stand out to potential employers.

Whether you prefer a wide grin or a subtle smile, just make sure it looks natural. According to research, smiles make a measurable difference in how people perceive you.

5. Wear Work-Appropriate Clothing

Your outfit matters – even if only part of it shows. You don’t need to wear a full suit, but dress as you would for a job interview or a day at the office in your field. Blazers, collared shirts, or blouses in solid colors are all safe bets.

Avoid overly casual clothing, loud patterns, or anything distracting. Keep the focus on your face, not your fashion.

If you want to look extra polished, BeFunky’s Touch Up tools can help smooth skin, whiten teeth, and reduce shine – all while keeping things natural.

6. Choose a Clean, Distraction-Free Background

Your background shouldn’t compete with you for attention. A plain wall, simple texture, or soft color works best. If you’re outdoors, try to find a solid backdrop like a brick wall or greenery with a shallow depth of field.

Already captured the perfect photo but stuck with a messy background? No problem. Use BeFunky’s Background Remover to instantly cut out the backdrop and replace it with something cleaner – like a plain white or light gray.

For more creative options, try our Photo Background tools to add a subtle gradient or cohesive color palette that matches your brand.

Final Touches Before You Upload

Once you've captured your portrait, upload it to the Photo Editor to put the finishing touches on everything. From cropping and resizing to enhancing lighting and removing distractions, BeFunky has everything you need to make your headshot LinkedIn-ready in just a few clicks.

Remember: this image is often your first impression online. Take the time to get it right, and it’ll work for you every time someone views your profile.

---