Your headshot is often the first impression a client, recruiter or hiring manager gets. A good one looks like you on a great day, not a stock photo. Here is how to get a headshot that works on LinkedIn and everywhere else.
What Makes a Headshot Work
- Your face fills the frame. On LinkedIn your photo appears small. Head and shoulders, with your eyes in the upper third, reads best.
- Real expression. The best headshot photographers coach you through expressions during the session, so you end up with a confident, approachable look rather than a forced smile.
- Clean, simple background. A plain studio backdrop or a softly blurred office keeps the focus on you.
What to Wear
Choose solid colors that suit your skin tone and your industry. Avoid busy patterns, logos and anything that wrinkles easily. Bring a second top or jacket so you can switch looks, and keep jewelry simple.
Studio or On-Site?
- Studio sessions give the most control over lighting and are ideal for individuals.
- On-site team headshots are efficient for companies. Many Tampa headshot photographers bring a portable lighting setup to your office so every employee’s photo matches.
How Many Looks Do You Need?
For most professionals, one or two looks is enough: a classic corporate image and a slightly more relaxed version for social media. Actors and personal brands usually need more variety.
Retouching and Updates
Good retouching removes temporary blemishes and stray hairs without changing how you look. Plan to update your headshot every few years, or whenever your look changes, so people recognize you when you meet.
Compare the best headshot photographers in Tampa, ranked for 2026 on reviews and how much of their work is headshots.