Why is your Headshot Photography Important?
You have a total of 100 milliseconds to make a good first impression on a client, hiring manager, or possible date. 100 milliseconds! A bad first impression can equal certain doom for your goals. It is human nature to make judgments about someone when we first meet them. Now we live in a virtual world and the only thing we have to go on is a great photo – or not so great photo or worse, a selfie.
A great headshot builds trust!
There is no better way to gain trust, build your reputation and respect from a client or customer than to take the time to get a professional headshot. A great headshot shows you took the time, effort, and attention to detail, you care and you know your appreance is important. This means the needs of the business are also important. If you care this much about a photo, you will care about the needs of your client or customer, this is the message it sends.
Things to consider: Smile in your headshot! Smiling always shows confidence and joy. Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by joy and cheerfulness?
Great Headshot and our Online Presence
Why blend in when you can stand out! A really great headshot makes you stand out from the crowd! Too many people still rely on the poor quality cell phone photos they ask their friends to take or worse a selfie! You’ll make recruiters, potential employers, and important contacts take a closer look if you’re sharing a photo that’s high-res and appealing.
Working from home or remote means we can work in pajamas but it means the opposite with our online photos! We need to shine even more because your award-winning personality that worked at one time in the break room or around the water cooler doesn’t work as we work from home. The only thing we have to go on is that photo.
Ever meet someone who looks completely different than their photos online? In the dating world, that’s called “catfishing”, and it’s not something people appreciate. In fact, it conveys untrustworthiness to people who are just now meeting you in person. (They think, if you’re willing to deceive people with your appearance online, what else are you willing to deceive people about…) In general, you should update your LinkedIn headshot every 1 to 2 years or after any drastic changes in appearance. (Hair and weight are the most common.)
Be Memorable!
By including a memorable professional photo on your social media accounts, you allow people to put a face to a name, meaning you are more likely to stay top-of-mind to the important people who look you up, whether before or after you meet.
Studio vs. On-Location for your Headshot
Some photographers only shoot in the studio, some only shoot on location and some can do both! If location is important to you, ask your photographer what their capabilities are.
Studio locations with controlled lighting have many plusses and minuses. On-Location with natural light or flash has many plusses and minuses. Know the difference and go confidently in the direction of the ideal photography for you and your best headshot!
This is your only shot! Pun Intended.
This is your one shot, make it count. Find a great photographer with experience in bringing out the best and most natural smile in their clients and get a great headshot. You will feel more confident which will make you come off ready to go!