Before reading your experience, people look at your face. On LinkedIn the profile photo is small, but it says a lot. These are the tips I give in my portrait and team sessions.
Clothing
Wear what you would wear to an important meeting with a client. Solid colours work better than small patterns, which vibrate and distract in a small photo. If you are unsure, bring two or three options and we will try them in the light.
Background
There are two routes and both work. A clean background, which puts all the attention on the face, or your own workspace, which shows what you do. At Farmacia Corredoria I photographed the team among the shelves and behind the counter, and at Clínica Dental Peña in the consulting room and reception. What matters is that the background does not compete with the person.
Light
A phone photo under a fluorescent light hardens the face and makes it grey. With soft, well-placed light the skin looks natural and the eyes have sparkle. That is why I set up the light in your office and do not depend on what is there.
Expression
Many people feel they do not know how to pose. That is normal. What works is talking for a while before shooting, moving a little and forgetting about the camera. A slight smile, looking at the camera, usually conveys confidence without looking forced.
Mistakes I often see
- Photos cropped from a wedding or a holiday, with someone else's shoulder in them.
- Photos from many years ago, which do not look like the person who arrives at the meeting.
- Dark photos or ones where the background is more eye-catching than the face.
- Each person on the team in a different style on the company website.
That last one is easy to fix with a team session in a single day, with the same light for everyone. I explain it in photos for LinkedIn and teams and in team photos for clinics and companies.
