Your LinkedIn photo is the first thing a recruiter sees. A selfie taken in a messy room doesn't scream "hire me." But not everyone has the budget for a professional headshot session. The good news: With a friend, a smartphone, and background removal, you can create a polished headshot that looks like it was shot in a studio.

Take a well‑lit photo first

Find a place with soft, natural light near a large window on a cloudy day is ideal. Stand a few feet in front of a plain wall that contrasts with your hair and clothing. Ask a friend to take the photo at eye level. The goal is a sharp, clear shot of your face and shoulders with no clutter behind you. A good source photo makes the background removal step easier.

Remove the background cleanly

Upload your photo to BG Erasers. The AI ​​will remove the wall behind you in seconds. You’ll be left with a transparent cutout of your head and shoulders. Zoom in and check the edges for any gaps between the hairline, collar, arms, and body. If you see any roughness, a quick refine pass smooths it out.

Choose the right new background

LinkedIn headshots traditionally use solid, professional colors: white, light gray, or a muted corporate blue. Open a free design tool like Canva, create a 400×400 pixel canvas, and fill it with your chosen color. Drop your transparent cutout on top. Position yourself centrally, leaving a little space above your head. Avoid backgrounds that are too bright or busy — they distract from your face.

Final tweaks that make a difference

A tight crop around the face and shoulders is standard for LinkedIn. If the image looks flat, add a subtle vignette or slightly increase the brightness. Export as a JPEG at high quality (since the background is now solid, you don't need transparency) and upload it. The result is crisp, professional, and looks nothing like a DIY project.

A great headshot opens doors. In less than ten minutes, you can take a casual photo and turn it into something that represents you at your best. No expensive equipment, no studio just good lighting and background removal.