If you’re a business owner or a career professional, having updated headshots portraying yourself online is one of the most important tasks you can cross of the list when it comes to your brand.
Here’s why you need professional headshots.
We’re in the information age, and now – more than ever – potential clients or customers are able to do research on whatever they want online.
They can get to know you – for better or for worse – well before you even meet. So why does this really matter? Is it that big of a deal?
Well yes, and no. There are certainly more important things to be concerned with, but it doesn’t mean that headshots aren’t important.
The reason behind their importance is mostly subconscious. When an individual is looking into your online presence and finds that you have a professional headshot to portray your character, they see that you invest into yourself.
What’s further is that they’ll understand that you have integrity and you care enough to portray your image in the best way imaginable.
Now, having professional headshots doesn’t just stop at the individual level. What if you’re a business owner with multiple employees? The same rule applies. There should be an about us page on your website – and on this page your employees should be shown in their best light.
So, what makes a good headshot? There are a multitude of aspects to this, so let’s dive right in.
First off is lighting. The light should be even and bright, yet there should be a good dynamic to the image. Every headshot photographer’s lighting style is different, however a lot of the time, a bit of shadow can have a nice 3D effect.
Second is the background. The background should be intentional. You should be able to share with the photographer what you want the background to look like and it should be represented as such.
Third is posting and energy. A good headshot photographer will help the subject to forget that the camera is even there. What we’re going for in a good headshot is confidence and approachability. Confidence is in the eyes – approachability is in the mouth.
So, look at your potential headshot photographer’s work well ahead of time, and really get an understanding of if their style suits your needs.
All in all, headshots are an investment into either your career or your business. You get what you pay for, and high quality pro level headshots are always worth the investment.
If you like my work and would like to have a chat about your headshots, let’s have a chat.
To Your Success,
Jay Ashcroft
four32 MEDIA
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