If you are in the corporate world today, you know that image is everything. Companies are not the only ones with brands and corporate identities to protect. With social media taking over nearly every aspect of our daily lives, we each are our own personal brand and image. We are are not only an extension of our family, our companies and our organizations, we are an example of it. The window in which others look through to get a snapshot of what you are representing.
So it's important that your LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, website and other media outlets have something more professional than a cropped cell phone picture that your daughter snapped of you. I'll be honest. It's growing beyond just the typical industries of real estate and mortgage to have professional images of yourself. The list of companies requesting their employees to have professional head-shots on file is growing.
As a professional photographer, it's been a year of corporate work for me. Several assignments to take corporate headshots of entire teams and a couple events. I really enjoyed myself, even though there isn't as much artistry to corporate stuff, it tends to be more conventional and conservative. I do pride myself on making my clients feel comfortable and helping them get their personality to shine through. Getting images for your business cards or online social media does not have to be painful. Do I daresay it can even be fun sometimes?
Now, as you can see from my examples here, many people go for the standard black background for a more conservative look. And it does look sharp on business cards and websites, I do admit. Black just states "I mean business", "You can take me seriously", "I know what I am doing."
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However, I urge you to consider an on-location set-up for your head-shots. Take it outside or even in front of your corporate office. Take it to the street, especially if what you do is more in the field than behind a desk. Let your clients see you in your natural habitat.
Still nervous? Not convinced head-shots are for you. Want more specific information on how to ROCK your head-shot session?
These are my top five tips
for taking great professional images:
for taking great professional images:
1. Have Fun: Don't be afraid to smile. The more casual and approachable you seem, the more people will want to pick up the phone to call you for your product and/or service. Get some serious images if you think you need them, but smile too and be sure it's a genuine one. Even laugh. Think of something that makes you happy. Enlist a friend to stand behind the photographer and talk about things that will make you chuckle. A natural smile is the most attractive thing every person possesses.
4. Posing: A good photographer will be able to pose you and help you relax and look your best. But there are a few tricks to remember for posing in the most flattering way. Don't forget your posture. You want to look relaxed and comfortable, but you still need to make sure your shoulders are back and you don't slouch. Positioning is important too. Although you want your face to the camera, it always looks better if your body is angled away slightly. This helps slim your body and bring attention to your face. And don't forget to relax. I always tell my clients that if it CAN BEND then it SHOULD BEND... so relax those fingers, elbows, knees, neck, etc. Bend them slightly so you don't look stiff. And finally, take a deep breath, think of something happy and smile while looking directly at the lens.
5. Location: As I mentioned earlier, you don't have to do the standard black or gray background. You can of course, if that's what works for you. But there are so many other options. Go to a downtown area, or a park, or a museum. Just pick a location that reflect you and what you do. Don't feel limited to what others have done. There is no real standard here, and if their was, we should be breaking the mold anyways. It's not about what is behind you anyways, it's all about what's ahead. Make eye contact and show your clients where you want to go, with confidence and experience.
Now go get cleaned up and get those head-shots.
Stop procrastinating. Don't wait.
Are you a corporate professional or business owner? You realize that your first impression is everything and that includes how you present yourself online through mediums such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Professional head-shots can make all the difference in attracting new clients and business prospects. Let me help you capture classy and professional images of you at a location of your choice. I even have group specials where I can get everyone in your team or company done on the same day.
Headshots run from $60-120 per person and include digital images for your use on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other online uses. Need a quote? Contact me today to schedule your session!
Copyright 2013 Lucky Star Designs & Photography. All Right Reserved. For better quality images, visit www.luckystardesigns.net.
