Professional headshot on LinkedIn and CV – improve the effectiveness of your profile!

Tamara Małasiewicz - dyrektor zarządzająca SIDiR, fotograf: Krzysztof Zaleski — Tamara Małasiewicz – managing director SIDiR

Piotr Szewczyk - przedsiębiorca, fotograf: Krzysztof Zaleski — Piotr Szewczyk – entrepreneur

LinkedIn is a promotional tool, thanks to which you can create a positive image of yourself and your company. The key to success is to create a personal profile that is credible to the recipients, where you will not only praise your achievements, but also present yourself from the best side. How to make your personal profile more interesting? By posting a great headshot picture on LinkedIn (every serious profile has a picture these days). Your profile picture generates a lot of traffic to your website. In the case of LinkedIn, it is as important as graduating from a good school.

Unfortunately, we often do not care to spice up the profile with a photo that will represent us with dignity. We don’t realize how much money we lose because of an unattractive or the wrong type of profile picture (some people think that anyone can take a good picture – unfortunately, it’s easy to judge, that the picture was taken by an amateur). Especially since professional business photos are already standard in many companies. Therefore, no matter what you do – take care of the quality of your LinkedIn photo and your professional image!

Why do we forget to take a picture on LinkedIn? Does not having a profile picture have serious consequences?

The reason is simple – we focus on creating a substantive CV, thinking that it will be enough for a company profile. Let’s treat taking a profile picture as a minor addition. As a result, our business card becomes the photo from the ID card (some LinkedIn users add photos from their holidays), it happens that such a photo is several years old … This is a big mistake – such a photo can be chosen for social networking sites, but in the case of a LinkedIn profile photo you need to try harder (it is worth investing in a business session or trying to take the perfect photo yourself).

Why is the photo so important? According to the Passport-Photo Online report, 96% of LinkedIn users believe a great profile picture inspires confidence. What’s more, 80% of respondents believe that a LinkedIn profile with a photo allows you to get to know a person better. Remember that there are potential clients of your company among them (this should mobilize you to take appropriate photos) – by downplaying such an important issue as the photo in the background of your personal profile, you lose the chance to start an interesting cooperation.

Freelancers and those starting a career should also take care of a photo that matches the LinkedIn portal (a good LinkedIn profile will make us start earning). Reason? 71% of recruiters admit that they have rejected a candidate at least once because of their profile photo – despite the appropriate professional qualifications. And almost 4 out of 10 recruiters do this regularly… As you can see, what type of photo you choose is of great importance.

Application? A seemingly trivial issue, such as whether you have a good photo or not, can deprive you of the chance to establish business relationships and, consequently, earn money. You must remember that hardly anyone will trust someone who doesn’t have time to complete their LinkedIn profile with a high-quality photo (professional LinkedIn profile is your priority).

LinkedIn Business Profile: Choose a photo or lose money

Although in theory clothes do not make the man, in business it is of great importance. Without a cover photo that showcases your best features, you will not only miss out on a profit opportunity. Except that:

you will not attract the attention of visitors, as a result they will not get acquainted with your profile and offer;
you will not make a good impression on the recipients and you will not gain their trust (just take a professional photo to change this);
you will discourage many people from following your profile or contacting you;
you will not effectively develop your personal brand and make it difficult for potential customers to find you or your company in the future;
you will increase the risk of losing potential customers – a profile picture placed on LinkedIn that does not emphasize your strengths may be a reason to give up contact or purchase.

Relevant profile picture: Choose a picture to increase sales

What type of LinkedIn photo can help you increase sales and build a positive professional image? Be sure to select a photo by following the instructions below:

Make sure your LinkedIn profile photos look professional and up-to-date. Over the years, the appearance of each person changes. Sometimes very clearly – friends stop recognizing us on the street. What if a potential client or business partner doesn’t recognize us? This can lead to an awkward situation and negatively affect our credibility. So make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is always up to date.
Take care of professional clothes. A well-tailored suit or elegant dress will work. Add delicate make-up, refreshed hairstyle and voilà – you can start the session. If you are a firefighter, it is better to replace the suit with a uniform, because it builds credibility.
When you are wondering which photo to choose – remember about the background. Preferably one that will not distract from you. Uniform will be appropriate, but it can also refer to what you do or where you work. The key is to make it aesthetic, neat and allow you to play the main role in the photo.
Be positive. Appropriate facial expressions can work real miracles and show the recipient that you are a reliable and sincere person. A LinkedIn profile picture should evoke positive feelings, so don’t be afraid to smile on it (this type of picture will be really well received) – this way you will build trust and shorten the distance that separates you from a potential client.
Avoid private photos. Your LinkedIn profile picture can help, but it can also hurt. There are several types of photography that appear frequently on LinkedIn, but which, instead of encouraging, scare away. I suggest that the LinkedIn profile picture should not be a holiday photo (this type of photo will work well on dating sites), a “selfie”, a photo from an ID card. Also remember that the lack of any profile picture is disqualifying!

Is it worth taking a profile picture yourself?

Let me be clear – no. And there are 3 reasons for this: lack of appropriate equipment, lack of conditions, as well as lack of knowledge and experience. If you look at a LinkedIn photo posted by a specialist in any industry, you will certainly notice that it is sharp, has perfect colors and makes the person on it look professional. The vast majority of these photos are the work of an experienced photographer.

A picture on LinkedIn is your investment, so you should use the help of a professional. It also guarantees that the effect will be excellent, and that profile photography will be one of the key elements of your strategy from now on.

Professional LinkedIn profile picture – what should be the dimensions of the profile picture?

An issue that cannot be forgotten is the dimensions of LinkedIn graphics. Only the right size photos will look good. The optimal dimensions of a profile photo are 400×400 px, and 300×300 px in the case of a company profile.

To sum up…

Many people underestimate the role of the profile picture on LinkedIn. As a result, they lose the chance to make the right impression on a potential employer or business partner. Don’t make the same mistake and make sure you post a professional portrait of yourself in a favorable way on your profile.

I’ll be happy to help you with that!

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Testimonials

I had the pleasure of using Krzysztof Zaleski's services - a business portrait and I am absolutely delighted with the results. Krzysztof is a true magician behind the lens - I have never looked so good in a photo! His professionalism, attention to detail and ability to create a relaxed atmosphere during the session are invaluable. If you are looking for a photographer who can capture the best of you, I highly recommend Krzysztof. Thank you for a great experience!

Krystian Lewecki Head Of Legal Affairs
Full professionalism and remarkable commitment to work. The photo session took place in a calm, warm, empathetic atmosphere. Mr. Krzysztof is a very nice person, and at the same time a great specialist. He provides valuable advice and guidance. This makes you feel confident and at ease in front of his lens. The effect of the session was delightful: beautiful portraits that show emotions. I am grateful and cordially recommend!

Beata Rubanowicz Ophthalmologist
I definitely recommend Krzysztof Zaleski - for years, at various stages of my career, when I need professional photos, and not only business ones, I have been using his services. Krzysztof is a professional in the full sense of the word, with a perfect understanding of business needs and goals, who is also characterized by flexibility and speed in actions. I recommend it to all those who are looking for something more in their photos.

Michał Świderski Marketing Manager, Management Advisor
An excellent Professional is focused on working with people and not merely on the technical side of photography. Thanks to this, the quality and credibility of the photos is high. Krzysztof is able to bring out the character of a person and emphasize his or her best features. Great pleasure to work with such a Professional. Thank you.

Palina Romaniszyn General Manager at STADA Group
I heartily recommend Krzysztof Zaleski. I have worked with many photographers, but Krzysztof Zaleski has one unique feature - he works until he gets a WOW effect for the client. I sincerely recommend!

Sergiusz Trzeciak Expert in political marketing, public image shaping and personal branding
Working with Krzysztof is fantastic - stress-free and relaxed, but at the same time very professional. Even before the session, we received detailed tips: what clothes to take, what patterns or colors to avoid - it was very helpful. During the photoshoot, Krzysiek gave specific advice, but at the same time, there was room for our own inventiveness and time to fool around. Through numerous conversations and detailed questions, we managed to determine the nature and atmosphere of the photos. Krzysiek is a very considerate and cultural man. I recommend him to anyone who does not stand in front of the camera on an everyday basis and wants to have professional and cool, but not necessarily obvious photos.

Aneta Stawicka Communication and Education Manager Rekopol SA
Photographing myself is, to put it mildly, not my favorite pastime. The photo session with Krzysztof was comfortable and quick. In addition, the effect is good in my opinion. Professional approach to the client. I highly recommend to everyone.

Andrzej Kotfis Andrzej Kotfis SME/SOHO Sales Director Orange Polska
Photographer, Krzysztof Zaleski, was recommended to me by my friend some time ago. I am really glad that I finally managed to use his services - Krzysiek made several business portraits for me, which I am very happy with. The photoshoot went really smoothly, in a pleasant atmosphere and with full professionalism. I am glad that I had the opportunity to work with a man full of passion, and at the same time extremely warm and accessible. I recommend him to everyone, because the image is something important, and Krzysztof knows how to get the best out of the photographed person.

Beatrice Bouchet President of the Management Board B&B Hotels Poland.
I asked Krzysztof for a couple of business photos. Working with him during the shooting was a distinct pleasure. Krzysztof was very friendly and welcoming — we immediately connected. Krzysztof has shown a rare devotion to detail and a relentless pursuit of the best possible results. Krzysztof delivered the final photos promptly and they were of outstanding quality, both from technical and communication point of view. I highly recommend Krzysztof for any business photo job.

Marek Kowalczyk MANDARINE Project Partners
Mr. Krzysztof Zaleski has run several business-related photo sessions for MGW Corporate Consulting Group Sp. z o.o. Each time a session was carried out in a professional manner and with commitment. Thanks to his interpersonal skills, Mr. Krzysztof is able to build up a kind and friendly atmosphere and photographs the way it highlights the photographed person's character. Additionally, we value good communication with Mr. Krzysztof, both via phone and e-mail, which positively influences our cooperation. With pleasure, we recommend Mr. Krzysztof Zaleski as a reliable, competent and passionate photographer.

Małgorzata Janic Sales Support Specialist at MGW Corporate Consulting Group Sp. z o.o.
If you are looking for someone who will not only take beautiful pictures of you but also will take care of every detail during the session, I recommend Krzysztof. A sense of style and positive atmosphere during the session guaranteed.

Weronika Jelińska Legal counsel
I strongly recommend Krzysztof Zaleski's services. I value his professionalism, flexibility and endless kindness. From the first contact and stage of working on details, we could count on perfect communication, openness to our needs and understanding. As the result, we' d managed to have a photo session for 20 people run smoothly. What distinguish Krzysztof is his great empathy and understanding of both the business aims and a fantastic approach to photographing people. The same relates to a selection of photos and post production, in which Krzysztof puts lots of effort. We're greatly impressed by the professional service, taken photos as well as Krzysztof's attitude towards the session and customers. Thank you, we certainly recommend!

Katarzyna Gorczyńska PR Manager at Plej Advertising Agancy
Meeting with a photographer who likes himself, people and what he does often brings results that significantly exceed the customer's initial expectations. This was my case, for which I am really thankful.

Tomasz Chodkowski President in Grenevo Polska Sp. z o.o.
We've worked with Krzysztof at many business sessions, both for individual clients and company teams. Together, we implement the project of “Lawyer through the lens.” I was also pleased to stand in front of his camera myself. What happens during these sessions is difficult to describe. You just have to experience it! Let’s be specific. It’s the atmosphere. As well as patience and individual approach. Everyone is just as important, the most important at the time. Each portrait helps build a business image. To anyone. I am glad that I met on my way a person, photographer, who knows that a good portrait is our asset and shares this knowledge with others. No just in business. It also helps in self-awareness that what we do is important and how we communicate is important; that in the modern times of the Internet and marketing 2.0. people around us will get to know us on the net and that we can influence how they will perceive us during this first contact. It also helps to smile at the thought that this lady in the picture is pretty cool! He is also surrounded by professionals who care about how we look and feel in the picture. I am thankful for that and recommend Krzysztof to everyone who sees measurable value in quality and appreciates professionalism. To anyone who wants to enter a higher level. See you at the next session!

Monika Muracka Development Manager, Marketing for Lawyers
The need to build a professional image appears at different stages of career. In the past, the only formal image necessary to take care of was a passport photo – nowadays for more and more people it isn’t enough. For several years I had photos taken by magazine and news paper photographers who publicated them as illustration to my articles. Usually, these half-hour or hour sessions were guick but professional. However, I was lucky enough to meet Krzysztof Zaleski on my career path – a passionate photographer. According to Krzysztof the portrait of a professional should reflect personality, interests and life mission of the photographed. Such final effect demands time for conversation and collecting necessary information about the person - Krzysztof was very engaged in this task. After a long conversation he prepared several conceptions in cooperation with graphic designer. Having discussed and chosen one of the options, Krzysztof started making it real. It wasn’t easy though – I would probably give up encountering such odds, but not Krzysztof, he succeeded. The session took place and finished according to arranged schedule. I highly recommend cooperation with Krzysztof – it was a real pleasure and a fascinating adventure.

Grzegorz Turniak Owner of Akademia Rekomendacji
I had the pleasure to cooperate with Krzysztof Zaleski in an advertising project which involved major clients of my company. The project itself was a very difficult issue because individuals participating in the session needed to be treated with particular sensitivity and at the same time the desired effects had to be achieved – session circumstances demanded full adaptation to the working conditions in the printing (the production was in full swing). Krzysztof successfully completed the task creating a pleasant atmosphere, which allowed to save the stress of my clients as well as their precious time. Professionalism, as shown by Krzysztof, resulted in a series of perfect photos that decorated both the covers of professional magazines and the stand of Agfa Graphics company during the fairs „Poligrafia 2007” in Poznań. I highly recommend cooperation with Krzysztof Zaleski!

Paulina Suchodolska AGFA GRAPHICS