Benefits of Getting a Professional Headshot
In today's world, both business and personal, we are surrounded by visuals as never before. Our social media profiles are filled with photographs and videos of our lives, we are constantly flooded with ads and pop-ups from brands trying to sell to us, and business marketers know that content with images, charts or videos brings the most conversions. If quality visuals are key to our personal lives and business, shouldn't they also be essential to our professional life? Below we're talking about five ways that a professional headshot can be beneficial to your career and put you on a successful launch pad.
It's an introduction Your headshot is your introduction and your first impression. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter are hunting grounds for recruiters and prospects alike. People not only use these platforms to present themselves as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), but it is also an opportunity to learn about and connect with new people around the world. In particular, recruiters use social media to discover new talent and learn about their skills, personality and ambitions. Before meeting someone for the first time, recruiters will quickly search the Internet to find out more about their prospects in advance. Going the extra mile and having a polished, professional headshot that represents you well, you've already made a positive impression on anyone who's discovered your profile. Keep in mind the consequences of not having a polished headshot. Maybe your avatar is a blurry selfie from a holiday party last year. What kind of impression does that give you? How does this represent the personal brand you're building?
Your headshot tells the story
The headshots are the perfect opportunity to tell your story, enabling your personality and expertise to shine through. From the angle and location to the expression of your face, your photo tells your story. When choosing a location, work with a professional photographer to choose the location that best suits your career and the visual aesthetics you want. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your headshots should match your brand, whether they're personal, professional or both.
Branding What does alignment with your brand mean? Whether we're talking about your personal or professional brand, your professional headshot should be representative of the visual style and the person you want to reflect on. For example, if you work for a professional service firm that maintains a professional business suit, your clothes and headshot location should match that. Whether your location is in-studio or on-site, it's important to keep the background selection in mind. It's smart to avoid any backgrounds that are similar to flesh tones, which means any colors that are too similar to your skin tone. These colors can wash the photo and provide a poor visual representation. If you work with an experienced photographer, they will be able to help you talk through the style you want to portray, but also provide insight into appropriate locations, lighting and other visual aesthetics.
Why are the headshots important to be ready?
It's crucial to have an updated headshot. The first thing that comes to mind is social media—your avatar is the first thing people see on your profile. Or, your current employer may request a header for your website or as part of a blog post or social media post about you or written by you. Special company announcements or press releases may also be issued that require your headshot. Sending along a selfie or having your friend take a quick photo against a blank wall not only shows a lack of preparation, but also a lack of professionalism. Having a high-quality headshot ready to be sent out at a moment's notice shows you thinking ahead and representing who you are and your personality.
It's worth investing Choosing to get a professional headshot is choosing to invest in your future. And, a quality headshot is more than just making you look good in the eyes of recruiters or potential employers. It instills trust in your own professional capabilities. Recruiters will see you as strong, confident and united, and knowing that you've been prepared can ease your stress and inspire you to be as confident and professional as that photo implies. To be clear, the projection is also a financial investment, but one that will undoubtedly be worth the cost. Thinking beyond the initial investment, if you land that job or secure that project that leads to a promotion, the professional benefit and ROI will far exceed what you paid in advance. If you look at your headshot as your first introduction, a representation of who you are in potential relationships or employers, do you think you represent yourself well? If you were on the other side, would you have been impressed? Take the time to invest in yourself and your future, and I guarantee that you'll be happy with the results.
If you need a few tips or you're looking for a professional in your area and you're not sure who to choose, just send me an email. I'm very happy to help you.
631-338-9989
