You scoff?
Well, I did too, until I realized the honest benefits to having a professional headshot taken.
1. It presents a professional appearance
First impressions are vital because you know how quickly people click away from a site if they’re not interested. There are too many voices screaming for potential clients’ attention so you want your first impression to be a solid one.
You want to present yourself and your business as decisive, important and indispensable.
As a business owner, you don’t want to use a picture of yourself that you cut out from another photo. You don’t want to ask a good friend who has an expensive camera to take a picture of you.
2. You will use it everywhere on the web.
If your day-to-day business doesn’t require you to hang out on the web constantly, you may not be aware of how many places you can use your headshot. Here are a few:
- Your website
- Your Facebook business page
- Leaving comments on blogs
- On your blog
- Guest posts on another website***
***Anytime you are a guest on a blog, the blogger will ask you for a bio and pic of you. Have one to share with them.
3. But the cost?
I know.
I balked at this very suggestion that was made to me 4 years ago. Pro work seemed so stinkin’ expensive. As a family of 7, I understand counting pennies, but this expense will be worth every penny you pay.
And the investment will produce more than you will spend.
Look around for pro shop discounts. I got my first headshot done by an amazing Portland photog that came highly recommended to me. Check out the photographer’s work. Ask questions until you are satisfied with the answers. And talk to a few different ones until you are comfortable with one.
4. If you not particularly photogenic, a pro can make you look fab.
I’m vain, I admit it and getting old stinks. But when you’re in the hands of a professional, they can do amazing things with lighting, very expensive lens and computer wizardry. Thank goodness for that.
5. People study faces.
When potential clients come to your website, they will study your face and see if they like you or can they trust you with their business. A pro shot of you provides them a chance to make the connection.
Photographers are trained to bring out your personality in the picture. That’s what you are paying them for. They know the right angles, the correct head tilts and all the secret tips for making you look fab.
6. Keeps you up to date.
Women, as we get older we change, don’t we? We change our hair color, our hair styles but we also change our level of confidence. Yes, we may not look as young as we like, but we are more confident in who we are and having new pictures of us will show off our confidence. I’ve earned every one of my wrinkles! Love ’em.
So have I convinced you?
You can grab a variety of tips on the net on what to wear and what not to wear. You’ll have to decide where do you want to picture taken. Ask the photographer all of your questions – they should have answers to these questions up on their website.
I used this photo today because in our day and age, youth is idolized AND if this professional shot of an more mature woman looks fabulous, then what will you look like in a pro shot?
Please tell me your experience with having a headshot done?
You convinced me. You mentioned that a professional is trained in lighting, lenses and other tools that can bring out the best features – and personality – of a subject. That got me to thinking that the reason I reject almost all photos taken of me by friends and family is the lack of such ability. Imma gonna start saving up some extra bucks 🙂
Thanks – Julie
Julie, I’m extremely thrifty and I loved that I had it done. Start saving and look around to find someone. You’ll have to check back with me afterwards.
j
At a recent area training event for school librarians, the organizer arranged for a professional photographer who was just starting her business to take free headshots for all of us!
We each got 1-2 great photos without that dang ‘school photo’ background, the photographer got experience and exposure for her business, and we were all happy.
I’m using my new professional headshot on all my BooksYALove and library-related online presences. I would definitely pay to have this photographer do another headshot session if/when I update.
**Katy
Hi Katy,
Wow, what a wonderful gift! My recent picture was taken by the photographer who took pictures of my son’s wedding a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure what an outdoor picture would look like but I like how it turned out. (And I had to take a new pic because I wear my hair straight and it’s red now!)
Thanks for stopping by.
j
Hi Jan,
Thank you for this great article and insight! I’m a professional photographer in Denver, Colorado, specializing in professional headshots. So, when I see an article supporting my business and what I do, I love it!! I photograph professionals who want to represent themselves with a professional look and headshot. It’s all part of their branding and just as important as their website and logo. People who just want a quick snapshot of their face for an article or another outlet take their own or use a friend with an expensive camera and it’s o-k-a-y. Quality isn’t a priority in their case. Some come to me afterwards – sometimes right away, sometimes years later – and say they’re ready for something better. Some other places to use a professional headshot: in applications to jobs; in submission with articles, proposals, contests, press releases and speaking engagements; on your business card and in your email signature – my favorite. People will feel like they know you before they’ve met you. Anyway, don’t mean to go on and on. Thanks Jan!
Hi Katie,
Thank you stopping by. I remember the time a colleague told me to get a pro headshot and I just cringed. But…it was the best investment that I’ve ever made – and at the time, we were a family of 7 on one income so I was well aware of finances.