Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact
1:1 MentoringPHOTOGRAPHERS

LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes Professionals Should Avoid | Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots and can tell you about LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes Professionals Should Avoid.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes Professionals Should Avoid

LinkedIn can be a powerful platform for professionals looking for new career opportunities and those who want to network. Your LinkedIn profile picture is an integral part of the first impression you create – it gives people some insight into who you are and what your personality is like.

If you want to make sure your LinkedIn profile picture has the right effect, here are a few mistakes to avoid:

Mistake 1: You’re Using an Outdated Photo.

If someone wouldn’t be able to recognize you in person after seeing your LinkedIn profile picture, it’s time for an update. Whether you’ve changed your hair, style, or you’ve simply lost a significant amount of weight, it’s best to update your headshots.

Mistake 2: The Backdrop is Distracting

If your eye is drawn to the background of your photo instead of your face, it’s not the right image. Ugly, outdated, or distracting backdrops should be avoided for any and all headshots.

Mistake 3: You’re Wearing an Unprofessional Outfit

While it’s perfectly fine to wear something that represents your personality and creativity, you should always look professional. What are you currently wearing in your profile photo? Would a potential client or employer find it off-putting? If so, it’s time to update your LinkedIn profile photo.

Mistake 4: Your Profile Photo Lacks Personality

As much as you want to appear professional, your headshot should still tell some sort of story. Using a stiff and overly formal LinkedIn profile picture is a sure-fire way to blend into the background. If you want to stand out, bring a bit of personality into your headshot.

Mistake 5: Using a Poor-Quality Photo

The last mistake you want to avoid is using a low-quality LinkedIn profile picture. If you took it with your phone and the photo looks grainy and unprofessional, it’s time to invest in a headshot session with a photographer.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can upload a LinkedIn profile picture that stands out and tells your personal brand story.

Update Your Headshot

Here are some recent updated headshots…

LinkedIn Profile Photo

LinkedIn Profile Photo Professional

professional woman's headshot
medical professional doctor headshots
professional headshots for women in Houston
medical professional headshots doctor
doctor headshots medical professional headshots
Houston professional headshots

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻

When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work.

You don’t.

For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials:
✅ reliable lighting
✅ a strong lens
✅ a backdrop
✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent

That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio.

And for branding? That’s where I shift.

Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business.

Same session, two different approaches—both intentional.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear…
it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

59 3
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18065753045437081
Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻 When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work. You don’t. For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials: ✅ reliable lighting ✅ a strong lens ✅ a backdrop ✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio. And for branding? That’s where I shift. Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business. Same session, two different approaches—both intentional. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear… it’s about knowing how to use what you have. 📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻

Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it.

Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating.

And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear:
→ the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore

A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago.

But before you even book new photos… you need clarity.

What do you want your brand to feel like?
How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

6 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18208684459338406
If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻 Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it. Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating. And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear: → the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago. But before you even book new photos… you need clarity. What do you want your brand to feel like? How do you want to show up? That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align. 📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.

105 4
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18598237504019822
Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻 One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency— skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀). That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside. It helps create: ✅ consistent skin tones ✅ balanced lighting ✅ a cleaner, more polished final image So instead of guessing what the light is doing… I’m controlling it. 📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.

What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.

26 2
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17967967670930278
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻 Different sessions, different people, different goals— but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them. ✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.

You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer.

When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it.

The reality?

A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way.

If you’re just starting out, keep it simple:
✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm)
✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out

And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early.

Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break.

Light is light.

Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything.

📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!

295 20
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18447093919114110
You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer. When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it. The reality? A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way. If you’re just starting out, keep it simple: ✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm) ✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early. Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break. Light is light. Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything. 📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!

Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot…

but it’s not about knowing poses.

It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera.

A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up.

And the rest? That’s what I guide you through.

📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio.

📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.

21 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18150959422488806
Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot… but it’s not about knowing poses. It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera. A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up. And the rest? That’s what I guide you through. 📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio. 📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo

FloDesk FREE STYLE GUIDE

Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers of America PPA.
Tara is a Certified Professional Photographer.
Tara is a member of TPPA Texas Professional Photographer's Association.
Tara has earned her Master of Photography degree.
Tara has earned her Photographic Craftsman certification.
Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston PPGH.