YOUR HEADSHOT IS YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Prospective clients may research you long before they initiate contact with you. This means that your headshot has to be more than just a pretty picture. Of course, you want to look as good as you possibly can. But a headshot that only shows how you look is failing to do its job. A properly crafted headshot should be a powerful element of your marketing and personal branding toolkit.

Most professional photographers focus on smiles and happy faces, using the same styles and techniques they may have been using for years. And with good reason: Moms won’t buy photos of their kids unless they appear to be happy. If you ask someone who is immersed in the portrait photography world to take a business headshot, they’ll most likely use those same styles and techniques on you. And your business headshot is going to reflect that.

So what’s the problem with that?

Business photos are supposed to connect prospects and clients to you. And they won’t care if you are happy and joyful. They’ll evaluate you on the basis of how likely you are to meet their needs. Chances are that they’ll be looking for someone who appears trustworthy, approachable and confident in their abilities. A business headshot that shows you superficially happy will not be sufficient for that.

We found that there was really no one around that specialized in professional business portraits, taking into account what a business headshot needs to do for you. And because our background is commercial photography, we are used to thinking along the lines of visual communications and personal branding.

Your marketing message will be most effective when it's consistent. Congruent communication happens when every channel is sending the same signal. Your business headshot needs to consider body language, facial expression, color choices, a professional-looking set with a modern background, and proper lighting. When all of these elements are working in harmony to show you as professional, confident, and approachable, then and only then do you have an effective business headshot. If you need a business headshot you need one that works for you. Because, a better headshot will get you better clients.

What we have to do is figure out what your photo needs to convey to resonate with your prospect and craft a photo that’ll do just that. Before each Executive Portrait session, we’ll discuss with you who your prospects are and how you need to come across to them. Then we’ll use colors, your wardrobe and body language to craft a photo that says the right things about you.