New Headshot? Five Top Tips On How To Prepare
Many business owners underestimate the power of a good, professional business profile photograph.
Your headshot or business profile image is very often the first thing that a potential client will see. It is therefore absolutely imperative that your headshot reflects you as a person and equally as importantly reflects your company brand.
Be professional, get yourself a headshot session booked with a professional photographer today!
Some sound advice on preparing for that all important headshot
Feeling nervous? No need with our top 5 tips on what to do.
Headshots. Business portraits. Profile pictures. Avatars.
Call them what you like, they are simply the very first thing that most potential customers are going to see when they come across your information.
Remember, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
So, now you’re panicking because you are about to book that headshot session and you just don’t know what to expect or how to prepare.
Don’t panic, don’t worry… this really isn’t that hard. Even if you “always take a bad picture”, there are some simple things you can do to help optimize your photoshoot and get results that will help you market yourself and your company.
So, what’s the headshot all about?
The headshot, like everything you do in business, and in life, is all about attitude. A positive attitude will almost always be more successful than expecting to fail. Your attitude in the photo is actually more important than what you wear. It is more important than whether or not your tie is straight or your hair is combed. It is more important than the colour of the background or almost anything else.
This is not to say that other elements in the session are not important, such as (clothes, hair, jewelry, background, light, etc) as these will also help to determine how potential clients perceive the person in the image.
That is to say, it will determine how they perceive you and your company.
So here we go…
Our top 5 tips to helping you prepare for that all important headshot session with your photographer.
1. Check out magazines, catalogues, brochures and surf the web looking at lots of different styles of headshots to determine what style you think would suit you. Try and find images of people who you think are similar to yourself in fashion and manner. Remember it’s about “YOU” so choose something that “YOU” would be comfortable with. It is also very important that this style fits with YOUR business and YOUR brand identity. Again look to see what other people and businesses in your sector are doing for their headshots. This should help give you and idea as to what the standard is for your sector.
2. Chat with the photographer to see if they can produce the style that you have chosen. It’s no good going to a photographer who simply cannot give you what you want. This way you can shop around to see who fits with you best. It also gives you a chance to determine if the photographer and you are a good fit and if you’re going to feel at ease with them in front of the camera.
3. Prepare yourself for the shoot in advance. Have your hair cut and/or styled 5 to seven days before the shoot so that it gives it time to settle and grow in a little. Never the day before as things can go wrong and you wouldn’t be happy with your photos.Mainly one for the ladies, check that you have the correct makeup to suit your chosen style.
4. What clothing shall I wear? You need to choose plain coloured clothing that reflects the person who you are. Put together plenty of wardrobe options for your photographer to choose from but never bring anything you wouldn’t want to wear! Stay away from white, pastels and patterns which can be distracting. Don’t shy away from accessories that bring out your individuality.Bold, vibrant colours can work really well and also help to give an air of confidence.A suit can say that you are formal and confident whereas a casual jacket and blouse or shirt can say that you are more relaxed. It all depends on who you are and what you do.
5. Practice in the mirror. This is without doubt one of the most important pieces of advice I can give you. If you practice your expression, looks and angles in the mirror lots of times before your shoot, you will know which is your best side, your favourite expression, ie: smiley, serious, thoughtful, dreamy etc. etc. You will know which fits your brand and your specific type of business.
Having a good quality, professional photograph on your website, blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media is a great way to let others know that you are serious about your business. Don’t let your business headshot or profile picture let you down!
