The stiff corporate headshot is over. Here is what actually works.
For decades professional headshots followed the same formula: stiff posture, neutral or slightly serious expression, formal attire. This was the accepted signal of professional authority. The data now shows this formula is actively hurting people on LinkedIn — and the professionals getting the most traction are doing something very different.
A perfectly posed, serious corporate headshot reads as performed rather than genuine. Recruiters and hiring managers look at thousands of profiles. Authenticity breaks through the visual noise in a way that polished corporate shots simply do not.
Harvard Business School research shows people evaluate others on warmth and competence. Serious expressions increase perceived competence slightly but significantly decrease perceived warmth — which is critical for roles involving leadership, teamwork, or client relationships.
On a platform where differentiation is everything, looking like every other professional headshot is a strategic failure. Recruiters remember faces that stood out — and warmth and genuine expression are the most memorable qualities.
Analysis of LinkedIn profile engagement consistently shows that profiles with genuine warm smiles receive 36% more recruiter messages than profiles with neutral or serious expressions — even when controlling for other profile quality factors.
The effect is strongest in roles that involve leadership, sales, consulting, or client-facing work — exactly the roles where executive presence matters most. In these contexts, warmth is not a soft nice-to-have. It is a directly measurable career asset.
Even in traditionally conservative fields like finance and law, profiles with genuine smiles outperform their stern-faced counterparts in engagement metrics. The world has shifted toward valuing authentic human connection in professional contexts.
The goal is not a wide grinning smile that looks eager to please. It is a warm, composed genuine expression that communicates both competence and approachability simultaneously. Think of how you look when a meeting is going well and you are genuinely engaged.
Executive presence in a photo comes from the eyes. The best professional headshots have eyes that appear alive and engaged. This is the Duchenne marker — genuine eye muscle involvement that cannot be faked and immediately communicates authenticity.
Tension in a photo reads as anxiety. The most authoritative professional photos have a quality of ease — someone who is comfortable in their own skin. This comes from genuine relaxation rather than trying to project confidence.
Our LinkedIn photo guides cover everything you need to get more recruiter messages.
Yes. Research shows genuine smiles get 36% more recruiter messages on LinkedIn. The key distinction is genuine versus forced — a natural warm smile outperforms both a stiff serious expression and a forced grin.
No. Research consistently shows that genuine smiles increase perceived competence alongside warmth. The old assumption that serious equals professional is not supported by the data on how recruiters actually respond to LinkedIn photos.
The expression itself is similar — genuine warmth and approachability work in both contexts. The difference is in everything else: attire, background, posture, and framing. For LinkedIn you want professional context with a genuine expression, not a casual photo with a big grin.
Ask your photographer to have a genuine conversation with you rather than just directing you to smile. Talk about something you are actually enthusiastic about. The most effective professional headshots are taken during real engagement, not posed smiling.