LinkedIn Headshot Prompts: Nano Banana Guide
Create professional LinkedIn headshots from selfies using Nano Banana prompts. Master lighting, attire, and background control.
A professional headshot is your digital handshake. It's often the first thing recruiters, clients, and colleagues see. With Nano Banana, you don't need to book a studio session to get a high-end corporate photo—you just need a decent selfie and the right prompt.
Understanding Professional Headshots
Great headshots aren't just about wearing a suit. They are about Lighting (soft, flattering), Background (non-distracting), and Expression (approachable confidence). Nano Banana allows you to control all three.
The Starting Point
To get the best results, start with a high-quality, casual selfie. You don't need professional gear, but you do need good light.
Corporate Professional
Using the starting point selfie shown above, here is the complete prompt to transform it into a foundation corporate headshot.
[Subject Image] Transform this casual photo into a professional LinkedIn headshot. Preserve: - Facial features and likeness - Natural smile - Hair style (neatly styled) Transform: - **Attire**: Navy blue tailored blazer over a crisp white button-down shirt - **Background**: Softly blurred studio grey background (neutral) - **Lighting**: Professional "Rembrandt" lighting setup (soft key light, subtle fill) - **Angle**: Eye-level, head and shoulders crop - **Expression**: Confident, approachable, professional Details: - **Skin**: Even skin tone, reduced shine (matte finish) - **Focus**: Sharp focus on eyes, shallow depth of field - **Quality**: High-resolution, noise-free
Why This Works
The "Navy Blue" Choice: Navy blue is universally trusted in business psychology. It looks professional without being as severe as black. Specifying "tailored" ensures the AI fits the clothes correctly to the body.
The "Rembrandt" Lighting: Asking for "Rembrandt lighting" tells the AI to create a specific, flattering light pattern (a small triangle of light on the shadowed cheek). This adds dimension to the face, preventing it from looking flat or washed out.
The Neutral Background: A "blurred studio grey" is the safest, most versatile background. It separates the subject from the background and works well on any screen size.
Common Mistakes
Note:
The "Uncanny Valley" Smile: If you ask for "big smile," the AI might generate too many teeth. Stick to "natural smile" or "approachable expression" for the most realistic results.
The Creative Director
For design, marketing, and creative fields, you want style over formality.
[Subject Image] Create a smart-casual headshot for a creative professional. - **Attire**: Black turtleneck or textured knit sweater - **Background**: Textured concrete wall or blurred creative studio - **Lighting**: Dramatic, moody lighting (chiaroscuro) - **Vibe**: Modern, stylish, intellectual - **Color Grade**: Slightly desaturated, high contrast
What Changed: We swapped the suit for a "turtleneck" and the neutral background for a "concrete wall" to signal creativity.
The Tech Founder
For startups and tech, the look is approachable and relaxed.
[Subject Image] Generate a modern headshot for a tech startup founder. - **Attire**: High-quality grey t-shirt with an open zip-up hoodie or casual blazer - **Background**: Bright, out-of-focus open-plan office with greenery - **Lighting**: Bright, natural window light (soft and airy) - **Vibe**: Friendly, innovative, accessible
What Changed: We used "natural window light" and "casual attire" to create a less stuffy, more modern aesthetic.
Expanding Your Portfolio
Try different environments and lighting setups.
The Outdoor Natural (Environmental)
A friendly, outdoor look that feels less staged.
[Subject Image] Transform into an outdoor environmental headshot. - **Setting**: Blurred city park or urban street background (bokeh) - **Lighting**: Golden hour sunlight (warm backlighting) - **Attire**: Business casual (polo shirt or blouse) - **Vibe**: Energetic, fresh, natural
The Studio Black & White (Classic)
A timeless, high-impact look often used for speaker bios.
[Subject Image] Create a classic Black & White studio portrait. - **Style**: High-contrast Black & White photography - **Background**: Pure black or dark grey - **Lighting**: Rim lighting to separate subject from background - **Attire**: Simple black top or shirt - **Focus**: Intense focus on eyes and expression - **Vibe**: Serious, thoughtful, iconic
Troubleshooting
Next Steps
- Background Modifications: Update your environment to match your new headshot.
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