5 Reasons Why You Need a Professional Headshot
Covered in this post—Top reasons why you need a professional headshot:
In today’s world, your image and how people perceive you matters – whether we like to think so or not. Having a professional, quality headshot is important as you look to grow your career, expand your network or gain new clients. You may think your qualifications and resume speaks for itself, but if you are using an old out-of-date photo as your online professional profile picture, you may be missing out. First impressions count for a lot, and if a person sees your blurry, low-quality photo that doesn’t portray you in the best way possible, they might not make it on to reviewing your actual qualifications. Headshots reflect who you are as a person and as a professional and it is important to have a quality one that says the right things about you.
You may think getting a professional headshot taken will be expensive and not worth it, however check out these top five reasons why they are worth the investment:
1. You only have one chance to make a good first impression.
No matter who might be looking at your profile picture – whether it be a recruiter, prospective client or networking prospect – you want to make the best first impression you can. Your profile picture will be one of the first things people see on your social network or website, and whether they mean to or not, people make judgements on who you are just by how you look. Looking sloppy or unprofessional will say the same thing about you and how you are to work with. Instead, consider how you want to look and what image you want to portray – including what to wear. If you are in a more casual profession, don’t wear a formal suit and tie in your picture. Make sure what you are wearing is authentic to who you are as a person and a professional.
Check out these additional tips for how to prepare to look your best for your headshot:
Preparation
The day before: Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep.
The day of: Enjoy a long shower, listen to your favorite music—pretend you're on vacation!
Just before: Avoid wrinkles and stains by changing into your outfit after you get to your session, and bring two extra changes of clothing (at least an extra t-shirt/dress shirt/tie for men, and an alternate bra/blouse/jacket for women).
Your Best Look
What to wear: Avoid white clothing. Darker tones are better for lighter skin, and lighter colors work well for darker skin. Solid colors photograph better than patterns or stripes.
How to accessorize: Less is more when it comes to jewelry and makeup. If you usually wear glasses, go ahead and wear them. If you have short hair or keep a close shave, get a haircut and/or shave close to your session.
2. Headshots show your true personality and help you stand out.
Before you look at a person’s online profile or fill out a contact form, one of the first things you will do is check out their profile picture and make a quick assessment about who they are as a person. Everything from the background in their photo, to the clothes they are wearing and the expression they have on their face tells a story that allows you to get a sense of who they are. The same thing goes for your own headshot – it will give people a good indication of your personality before you even meet them. Getting professional headshots taken will help showcase your personality and who you are – but make sure you are sending the right message. This is a great opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd and have a little fun. Don’t be afraid to talk to your photographer about the look you are going for and see what ideas they have. Only a professional photographer will be able to help you figure out the small details to achieve the look and feel you are going for.
Need some inspiration? Check out these website refresh headshots Mark Campbell Productions shot for CJBS, a Chicago-area accounting firm. MCP did one traditional and two ‘fun’ headshots per person. When you scroll over each person on their site, you will see a traditional version of their headshot replaced with a fun one—letting their true personality shine through:
3. Quality images portray professionalism and credibility.
You may love how you look from that candid picture from a family wedding several years ago, or that selfie your friend took with you that you cropped down – but don’t use it for your professional profile picture. Using a casual, blurry, low-quality photo will look unprofessional and will not portray the right message. Instead, having a high-quality professional photo will convey professionalism and quality. It says a lot about who you are, the kind of work you may do and will show that you took the time and effort to put your best foot forward.
Do you have several people in your office or professional organization that need headshots? Mark Campbell Productions makes it easy and can schedule on-site sessions for groups that are convenient and efficient:
4. Photos that make you look good will help build your confidence.
A professional photographer will be able to bring out your best side and take a headshot that is authentic and flattering. This will help build your confidence in a way no social network or phone camera filter could ever do. Only an experienced photographer will be able to take different angles, looks and expressions – and leave you with something you will be proud to display on your profile. This will give you the confidence you need to give you a boost as you are heading into a job interview, sales meeting or professional event. You also want to make sure your headshot actually looks like you (another reason not to use a photo from 10 years ago) so that people will recognize you from your online profile when they see you.
5. Your headshot is a reflection of your personal brand.
Ultimately, your headshot is a reflection of who you are as a person and as a professional – so make sure it is saying the right thing. Put your best foot forward online and show yourself in the best way possible. Only a professional photographer can portray you in a way that will give you the edge you need. Your photo says a lot about you without any words, so make sure it works for you and not against you. In today’s competitive business world this matters more than you think, so it is important to give yourself any advantage you can.
Have you heard enough and are ready to get your professional headshot? Check out this limited-time Headshot Saturday Special – book a session on the first Saturday of each month for only $125 (that’s a 50% discount)!
Mark Campbell Productions is a professional Chicago photography team. We pride ourselves on taking professional, personable portraits that capture your personality and best angle. We make it easy and can schedule on-site sessions for groups that are convenient and efficient. In addition, enhanced realistic Photoshop retouching is available for your final selections, ensuring you are completely happy with the finished product. A hair and makeup stylist is also available on request. Contact us today to learn more and to see how we can work together.