"I am not photogenic at all" - this is what I hear from most of my clients. But, what happens when they need to take a professional photo? They take one with their phones or ask a friend to take one for them.
This is the main mistake I witness all the time. How many times have you seen a social media profile that featured a blurry or inappropriate profile picture? Your profile picture is your first introduction to potential clients and you want to appear confident, trustworthy, and professional.
In today’s world, both business and personal, we are surrounded by visuals like never before. Your headshot is your first impression. You must make it count!
LinkedIn and Twitter have become hunting grounds for recruiters, and your profile picture will be the first thing that grabs their attention. Before a recruiter reaches out to a potential applicant they will do a quick Internet search to find out more about prospects in advance. Having a professional headshot that represents you well, you’ve already made a positive impression on anyone who has discovered your profile.
You want your headshot to tell your story and allow your personality and expertise to shine through. From the location and your outfit to the expression on your face, your photo tells your story. Picking a location that represents your career and desired visual aesthetic is key. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your headshots should align with your brand, whether that’s personal, professional or both.
Having a high quality headshot ready to send at a moment’s notice shows you think ahead and represents who you are and your personality. Plus your headshot can be useful for so many situations:
• Your email account
• Your email signature
• Your website or portfolio
• Your guest posts
• Your company bio
• Your entire professional life.
Trust me, at some point in your career, you will want to have this on hand. All of my clients have come back and said what a difference their headshot made to their business!
Getting a professional headshot done is an investment in your business and in your future.
A quality headshot does more than just present a professional impression to recruiters or potential employers. It infuses confidence in your own professional capabilities. Recruiters will see you as strong, confident and put together, and knowing you were prepared can ease your stress and inspire you to be as confident and professional as that photo implies.
It is time to look at your headshot as your first introduction, and a representation of who you are to potential connections or employers.
Take the time to invest in yourself and your future, and I guarantee you will be happy with the results.
