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How long does it take to get a professional LinkedIn profile photo?

12th April 2023/in Uncategorised /by Editor

Among many of the questions clients ask us before a LinkedIn profile commission, one of the most common is how long does it take to get a professional LinkedIn profile photo?

People assume a good LinkedIn profile photo can be taken in minutes. They say we just want a quick snap taken against a white background. But it is not that simple. When people first get in front of a large portrait camera and lens with studio lights shining on them, they are not in their natural relaxed state. People feel awkward and do not know what to do with their hands or how to stand. We have to guide them through various tricks we know to make people relax and feel confident in front of the camera. This all takes time, and only when we have spent 15 minutes with someone can we start to capture a range of quality LinkedIn profile photos.

On our sister site, we have added a blog post which we direct people towards to answer the question, how long does it take to get a professional LinkedIn profile photo?

Our LinkedIn profile photo sessions are all 30-minute bookings either at our 45 Beech Street EC2Y 8AD studio or at London client’s offices. Not all the 30 mins are dedicated to taking photos. When we arrive, we need to do a quick recce of the offices to locate the best room to set up our background, professional lighting and tripod. Once located, it takes approx 5 to 10 mins to set up the kit, and once we have finished the LinkedIn profile photo session, we need 5 mins to break down the kit.

So if you are commissioning a LinkedIn profile photo, please allow the professional corporate portrait photographer time to set up and be fully prepared prior to your arrival for your profile photo session.

Professional LinkedIn profile photo taken in London offices.

Do you need a professional LinkedIn profile photo?

7th March 2023/in Uncategorised /by Editor

Do you need a professional LinkedIn profile photo? The answer depends on how important LinkedIn is to you.

If you are employed and not involved with marketing or sales, then you would not require a pro-LinkedIn profile photo.

We would suggest getting a professional LinkedIn profile photo if you are a freelancer using LinkedIn to promote your services and if you work in sales and marketing. Of course, we would push people towards commissioning a pro-LinkedIn profile photo; it is what we do, but I can give you some reasons why it’s a very good idea. Firstly if you meet someone in person or via the internet, many people will then go on to look them up on LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile is a great resource for people who are interested in doing business with you.

We have written before about the importance of a decent photo on your LinkedIn profile page. So if you are working in any of the business sectors previously mentioned, then start looking at corporate portrait photographers who can capture your profile photo. Many business people will come to us for their photography many years after they have been using LinkedIn. They will have spent lots of time updating their career facts and their business profile to impress potential clients and employers. But you have to understand a poor-quality profile photo is a negative impression. The first thing they will look at on your LinkedIn profile is your photo. Bad photo, bad first impression. So if you are using LinkedIn to do business, we would suggest that you need a pro-LinkedIn profile photo.

If you want to commission a pro profile photo and have any queries, please visit our LinkedIn FAQs about profile photos. If you have any further questions about your profile photo, please get in touch here.

LinkedIn profile photo captured in London studio at 45 Beech St EC2Y 8AD

LinkedIn Profile Photo in London

So you are going to commission a professional LinkedIn profile photo with a cityscape of London as a background. We have some suggestions on different locations to signify that you are London based.

London’s St Paul’s

One of the most recognisable London buildings is St Pauls. Known the world over as a London landmark. Many of our clients ask for this cityscape in the background to show clients and potential employers that they are London based on their LinkedIn profile page. Some clients ask for a subtle London backdrop with the well-known building out of focus but still recognisable.

LinkedIn Profile Photo in London

For other clients they want the London landmark building to be clearly shown within their LinkedIn profile photo.

LinkedIn Profile Photo with St Pauls backdrop

Both the above LinkedIn profile photos feature St Pauls, but they were captured in different locations. In the first profile photo, we met the businesswoman on the millennium bridge as this location is free from cars and other building obscuring the view of St Pauls. The reason this is an excellent public view is due to the St Paul’s Heights which is to protect and enhance important local views of the Cathedral from the South Bank, Thames bridges and certain points to the north, west and east. The second LinkedIn profile photo was captured in a public viewing area on top of an office building which has public access to the roof.

London’s Big Ben

The next location for your profile photo is on the Southbank with a view of Big Ben. This is a world-known London location and many people who visit London will go home with a photo of the tower. What is not known to many is that the actual bell is named Big Ben and the tower is called the Elizabeth Tower.

LinkedIn profile photo in London with Big Ben as a backdrop

The Southbank & Westminster Bridge

If you want a subtle Linked profile photo showing London as your City we have a little area we use quite often along the Southbank as you approach Westminster Bridge. Distinct and ornate streetlights. These feature fish and have a distinct maritime quality which associates the Linkdedin profile photo with the River Thames.

LinkedIn Profile Photo on the Southbank in London

What is the best kind of LinkedIn Profile Photo?

20th February 2023/in Uncategorised /by Editor

How to decide what is the best kind of LinkedIn profile photo depends on what kind of profession you work in.

If you work in the legal or financial sector you need to look professional and that you take your work seriously. Potential clients will be looking at your LinkedIn profile photo and asking themselves do you look like the right kind of person to help them with their legal and financial businesses. We would suggest a slight smile or a studious expression. Do not grin at the camera. Look like you take your job seriously and dress in business attire. Nothing too flashy. Remember, this is not about portraying your personality in a photo it is about giving off the first impression that you are a business professional. Keep your background simple. A plain white or dark backdrop or a company logo.

Working in sales and marketing your LinkedIn profile photo will need to make you appear approachable to potential clients. Obviously your working attire needs to reflect your business sector and a busy working environment as the background can make it appear that you are a professional at work. Things can be a little more casual in how you appear and a warm smile and always looking to camera and inviting the viewer to get to know you. Bright colours attract attention so think how you can add some with a distinctive tie or some in the background. Lots of our clients request that we capture their LinkedIn profile photo with jackets on and off also with a tie on and off. This way they review after the shoot and see what images works best for them on their LinkedIn profile page.

If you are working in the social media sector then you have to appear engaging and interesting in your LinkedIn profile page. Social media is a growing sector but still relatively new and many clients struggle with it. We suggest that you look dependable and interesting. Your headshot needs to catch the eye so try something that is going to grab the viewers attention. Their are websites that allow you to upload a headshot and get feedback on what people think it says about you. Well worth a try as it could get you a new client or a better career position.

Typical clean cut and professional LinkedIn profile photo.