Headshot
If you’re a business owner, a corporate , a blogger, a writer … anyone with a professional web or social media presence, then you need a headshot & professional images.
Having a set of up to date and current photos available to distribute to media, event organisers and for use on your own social media platforms, helps you to present an image of your business that is true to you and what you represent.
1. Having a library of photos will increase your chances of being featured in print media. Having headshot and portrait images of yourself available to email on demand, could mean the difference as to whether you’re quoted in an article or not. The newspaper or magazine may not have the resources to send a photographer to take a photo. You’re making the journalist’s work task easier. It’s a win-win.
2. Update your photos every year. You should be recognisable and not have people looking twice at the photo in front of them and then back at you. If you’re photos are asked for and published a lot in a year, your personal brand can get a little over-exposed – another good reason for a freshen up.
3. Headshots (head and shoulders) are the most commonly asked for images but having images that include backgrounds or props that show what it is you do are great to have on file as well.
4. If suitable, have the images taken where you do your work. Either at your office, on location outdoors or in your home studio. I find an at home sessions work well , as we have access to all the different corners of your space (yes, prepare for furniture moving!), your wardrobe, on the verandah and utilising a mostly plain walls for head shots. We can also hire a studio or do a walk about in the inner city where all the really cooly and interesting buildings, shop fronts, textures and coloured walls can be found, Co working spaces can also be rented out at a really good place and these are really hip , modern and happening.
5. The photos should look like you … only polished. You want to look like the good old you , but just polished up abit and looking your absolute best .
6. Coordinate and plan to have your hair and makeup looking the best it can be before the shoot. You’re investing time and money in the images, spending a couple of hours before doing your own hair and makeup – or calling in the professionals (always a good idea if you have the budget) – will be an investment in a more professional result. A professional makeup artist also knows how to create a makeup look specific for photography Stick with a hair style and makeup look like you normally would wear. Yes, it will be more polished but not in an unrecognisable way.
7. Plan for three outfit changes. This variety of outfits will ensure a good mix of images. Block colours are ideal for busy backgrounds. I also included stripes even though some would say they are a no-no because stripes are something I’m often seen in so it felt appropriate. Don’t overly complicate the outfit but do include an interesting accessory or statement shoe if appropriate. Just ensure the jacket fits you well around the shoulders without making you look too boxy. Whatever you wear, you need to feel comfortable in it. With that comfort will come confidence in front of the camera.
8. Trust . I might get you to pose in seemingly strange ways but I will be doing this for the best possible result on camera. . Once you’ve specified what types of photos you need, hand over the creative control to me.
9. You will get high-res and low-res versions of the best images. Print media will want large, high-res images; smaller, low-res are for use in digital/web-based applications.
10. Create a folder on your computer and in a cloud-based app and store your images there. I have mine copied into a folder in Dropbox so that no matter what device I’m on, if I have a request for an image, I can quickly and easily email or message it.
11. Replace all your old avatars (web-based social media images) with the new ones. This keeps your branding consistent across all networks and helps people better connect with you as they’ll easily recognise that it’s you.
So over to you … do you need professional images for your work? Please view my headshot portfolio here:
https://carmenlorraine.com/galleries/business-portraits/
And previous shoots done with Rebecca: https://carmenlorraine.com/business-portraits-pr-company/
Rebecca is Cultivate PR , please view what she does here:
http://www.cultivatecoms.co.za/
