How a Professional Headshot Can Boost Your Personal Brand and LinkedIn Visibility

A profile photo taken by Film8 for Greta Berglöf, now used as her LinkedIn profile picture. Want to see more?

Think your profile photo doesn’t matter? Research shows it might be more important than your entire résumé — at least at first glance.

A study by Todorov et al. (2005) found that it only takes 100 milliseconds to judge a person’s trustworthiness and competence. And that first judgment tends to stick – even after longer reflection. The study also showed how facial features influence the way we assess someone in professional contexts.*

So it’s an understatement when I say that the headshot on your résumé, LinkedIn and portfolio is crucial for how a stranger perceives you. Let’s break down the key areas where a professional headshot can help you achieve all of your professional goals.

LinkedIn Profile Visibility and Engagement

LinkedIn’s own investigations show that profiles with photos receive a lot more engagement than those without. If you have a profile picture, you can get up to 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages. This elevated visibility can considerably enhance your professional prospects. As Douglas N Burns, award-winning photographer, explains in the LinkedIn article, “A professional headshot conveys credibility, approachability, and competence, encouraging more meaningful connections and interactions.”

Burns also notes that according to Forbes, a strong headshot can help create a personal brand and foster trust. A high-quality photo lends a sense of professionalism and authenticity, making people more likely to interact with a profile that contains one.**

A business portrait of Stefan Rosen, photographed by Film8 with his workplace as the background.

 Recruiter Impressions and First Glance Impact

According to Business Insider, recruiters spend only six seconds on average reviewing a LinkedIn profile before deciding if someone is worth a closer look. Because of this, your photo is essential to getting their attention. A clean, neat, well-crafted headshot can convey that you take your work seriously and are intentional with your personal brand.

Additionally, a study conducted by TheLadders, using eye-tracking technology, showed that recruiters spend 19% of their time examining the profile image.** This clearly demonstrates the importance of having a strong visual presence.

An indoor business headshot of Wilma Wickström, captured by Film8.

 Trustworthiness, Competence & Professionalism

In a study made by HeadShots Inc., 240 participants rated six different headshots on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their initial thoughts on the subject. The participants first viewed an outdated, informal photo, followed by a polished, professional headshot of the same person.

The updated business headshots led to a dramatic shift in perception:

• +75.93% in perceived competence.

• +62.30% in perceived influence.

• +9.70% in perceived likeability.***

In conclusion

A professional business headshot isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a powerful tool for standing out, making the right impression, and advancing your career. It can help you get noticed on LinkedIn, capture recruiters’ attention, and shape how others perceive your competence and credibility.

At Film8, we understand the impact of a truly great headshot — and we’re here to help you make yours. Take a look at our portfolio and see how a great headshot can elevate your personal brand — then book your session today at Film8.

*Todorov, A., Mandisodza, A. N., Goren, A., & Hall, C. C. (2005). Inferences of Competence from Faces Predict Election Outcomes. Science, 308(5728), 1623–1626.

**Why LinkedIn Headshots Are So Important, October 31st 2024

***Are Professional Headshots Important? [Video Report], August 15th 2019