LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes Professionals Should Avoid | Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is aΒ Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)Β  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.Β  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots and can tell you about LinkedIn Profile Photo Mistakes Professionals Should Avoid.Β  See more headshotsΒ in the gallery.Β Β Contact meΒ 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Mistake 1: You’re Using an Outdated Photo.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 Ugly, outdated, or distracting backdrops should be avoided for any and all headshots.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

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

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Meet Noah... πŸ‘‡πŸ»

Noah recently came in for a personal branding session, but not because he's launching a business or promoting a service.

He's written a memoir! πŸ“–

He wanted a collection of professional images he could use on his website to promote his book, with the possibility of using a few for his author portrait inside the book or on the back cover.

And this is such a great example of why personal branding photography isn't just for business owners!

Authors, speakers, artists, coaches, and creatives can all benefit from having a professional collection of images that represents who they are and what they're working toward.

Think about it... one branding session can give you photos for your website, social media, promotional materials, press features, professional bios, and so much more.

It's about having a variety of images that tell your story, help people connect with you, and give you the flexibility to show up professionally wherever your work takes you.

And that's exactly what we wanted to create for Noah!

Whether you're writing a book, launching a new project, or building a business, I'd love to help you create images that support your next chapter.

πŸ“Έ Ready to plan your own branding session? Head to the link in my bio to book a consultation!
Oh, just a few… πŸ˜‰πŸ“Έ

Senior portraits are easily one of my favorite things to photograph! There's something so fun about working with seniors at such an exciting time in their lives.

And one thing I always want my seniors to know? Your senior portraits should look and feel like YOU.

Whether that means dressing up, keeping things casual, incorporating your favorite hobby or sport, bringing along your car or even your pet, I'm all for making your session personal.

We'll choose locations, plan outfits, and create a variety of images that show off your personality. And don't worry if you have absolutely no idea how to pose. That's my job!

From the classic portraits your parents will want hanging on the wall to the fun, personality-filled shots you'll want to share with all your friends, we'll make sure you get a little bit of everything.

πŸŽ“ Class of 2027, it's your turn! Senior year is already flying by, and now is the time to get your session on the calendar.

Head to the link in my bio to book your senior portrait consultation! 🀍
That beautiful sunlight filtering through the trees? It can actually make your job a little harder. πŸ˜‚πŸ“Έ

When I'm photographing families or seniors in wooded locations, one of the first things I'm looking for is consistent, even lighting.

Those little patches of sunlight coming through the trees (also called dappled light) might look pretty in person, but they can create distracting bright spots across your subject's face, skin, and clothing.

Here are a few things I keep in mind when shooting in wooded areas:

🌳 Look for solid shade. I want my subjects evenly lit rather than having random patches of harsh sunlight hitting different parts of their bodies.

β˜€οΈ Use backlighting to your advantage. When the light is right, I love positioning the sun behind my subjects to create that beautiful, soft glow around their hair and shoulders.

πŸ“Έ Don't forget your lens hood! Shooting toward the sun can introduce unwanted lens flare and reduce contrast. A lens hood can help control some of that stray light while still allowing you to create beautiful backlit portraits.

And remember, just because a location is beautiful doesn't mean every spot within it has great lighting!

Learning to recognize good light is just as important as knowing your camera settings.

πŸ“Έ Just getting started in photography? I've put together a collection of FREE resources to help newer photographers build their skills and confidence behind the camera!

From lighting and posing to camera gear and more, there's plenty to help you along the way.

Head to the link in my bio to explore all the free resources available!

And don't forget to save this tip for your next outdoor session! 🌳
If you’re planning family photos around Houston or The Woodlands, I've got 8 beautiful locations to consider πŸ‘‡πŸ» 

πŸ“ W.G. Jones State Forest β€” Woodsy, natural, and perfect for that classic outdoor family portrait look.

πŸ“ Alden Bridge Park β€” Relaxed, timeless, and a great option for families who want plenty of greenery.

πŸ“ Rob Fleming Park at Creekside β€” Scenic, family-friendly, and especially beautiful for those warm, natural portraits.

πŸ“ The Woodlands Waterway β€” A great mix of greenery, architecture, and a slightly more urban feel.

πŸ“ Hughes Landing β€” Modern and polished with plenty of variety for your gallery.

πŸ“ Mercer Botanic Gardens β€” Lush, colorful, and perfect if you love a garden-inspired backdrop.

πŸ“ Downtown Conroe β€” Lots of character and architecture for something a little different from the traditional park setting.

πŸ“ Downtown Tomball β€” Charming, casual, and full of personality.

πŸ”– SAVE this list for when it’s time to plan your family photos!

Still need to get your fall family photos on the calendar? I have just a few weekend dates remaining this season:

October 10 & 17
November 8 & 15

If one of those dates works for your family, don’t wait too long to grab it! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your family session. πŸ“Έ

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Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

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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.