I don’t know what it is with so many people using selfies for their LinkedIn profile and especially images shot inside their car. I just saw someone who updated their LinkedIn headshot a few minutes ago post a headshot taken in the backseat of a car. What’s up with that? That’s not the only inside of a car LinkedIn profile shot that I’ve seen.

LinkedIn’s current search result comes up as follows… “LinkedIn:World’s Larges Professional Network – Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.” Nothing about that says, “Please post a poorly done cellphone selfie and be sure you are in your car when you take the shot because that will really help you professionally.”

I am not writing this post begging for headshot business. Those that get it will choose me or another professional to take their headshot. The post is meant to get anyone reading it to think about their PROFESSIONAL IMAGE online especially when it comes to a LinkedIn profile headshot. Does a cellphone selfie really provide the best possible individual brand image? Hmmm… probably not. Will a professional headshot taken by a professional photographer make a difference in the way others perceive someone on professional level? It’s a pretty safe bet that it will.

The young lady pictured to the right above is an attorney. Does the image of her represent her better professionally than a cellphone selfie shot in her car? I’d say yes. Personally, I wouldn’t want to hire an attorney, life coach, business consultant or other professional who had a poorly done (selfie) headshot on their LinkedIn profile. To me, it shows that the person doesn’t really care about their professional image, so why should I care about doing business with them? For a law firm looking to hire an attorney, would the cellphone selfie in a car or the image above on the right give a better impression? That’s a no brainer, obvious answer.

The key point for anyone reading this using a cellphone selfie and especially one inside their car is to seriously consider finding a professional photographer to have a truly professional headshot taken. If that’s me, great. If not, leave it to another professional photographer. There is still a huge benefit to hiring a professional photographer for certain pictures of yourself even with all the cellphone selfies taken these days. Your headshot is YOUR brand.

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Client Email Message To David: “We are all very happy with the work you did for us and also are pleased with your flexibility and organization. We have used the photos for corporate files and also we all are using the new photos for LinkedIn to have a true professional look.” Joy B. – Director of Human Resources

I provide both in studio head shots and on location head shots for 100+ people if needed. Many companies have me come out on site to their location or to a location that they are meeting at in order to provide head shots for executives and staff.

I decided to finally get active on LinkedIn and even upgraded to a premium account. Since I provide Corporate Photography and Video Production services including Professional Headshot Photography in the Raleigh Area or wherever the client will pay for me to travel, I believe that LinkedIn will be a key component of my business in the future. Like anything else, it will take some time and nurturing.

I have been going through numerous profiles in order to establish connections. As a photographer, one key area stands out to me, the image posted with the profile.  In this digital age of phone photography, it is not completely surprising that the vast majority of profiles do NOT have a real professional headshot posted.  LinkedIn is a professional network that in my opinion should include a truly professional headshot as part of the profile.  People are visual by nature. A professional headshot is a simple piece of the process. In some cases, even the $60 +/- JcPenney headshot is better than a phone image. It’s true that some phone images are great.  If that’s the case, then I have no problem with it. Whether it’s a phone image or a truly professional headshot: Does the headshot represent the brand properly?  If it’s not perceived as professional, maybe it’s time to re-think the image?

Lav Chintapalli of NuLimina Cary NC

I have noticed so many poor headshots in viewing profiles that I think many people need to re-think what they are posting: Your headshot image represents your brand.  What is your headshot saying about your brand?  It’s not just LinkedIn either.  It’s anywhere on the web that you wish to portray a professional image of your brand.  A phone headshot may work just fine on Facebook, but for a company website, a professional blog or other critical areas that are tied to your brand, it’s important to have a professional headshot that represents who you are.

So you may be thinking that this is a sales pitch for my headshot services, but it’s not. It’s simply a post to get you thinking about how the headshot you are using is representing your brand.

I am fine with you saving money and going to JcPenney for around $60. However, I am not opposed to you finding out more about my headshot photography services. I do a lot of on site corporate headshot work. Typically, it’s more cost effective for an individual to come to me for a headshot. I also know other photographers in the Raleigh area that provide professional headshot services. The key thing is to think through whether the image you are using now on LinkedIn and other professional sites is truly representing your brand or is it time to contact a professional:  You can reach me via my online contact form.

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