Heading in the Right Direction
11 September 2020
Written by Acme Mag
There is no question that people of today are judgemental — so it’s wise to put your best face forward at every opportunity. First impressions in professional situations really do stick, whether you’re a single agent, or working for a big corporation, your headshots are literally the face of your personal brand. Therefore, if your image reflects poorly within a simple headshot, it could mean you lose out on potential clients and money (aka your livelihood).
You might be thinking ‘it’s just an image’ but your image represents the business and services you provide and if it’s not up to par it becomes a set back. Think of it this way, 18-40 year olds these days source dates via ‘just an image’ (Tinder) and more often than not, we purchase food based on the quality of ‘just an image’ (Uber Eats). The average person is judging ‘books’ by their covers on a daily basis, including yours.
If you’re still not sold on the idea, here’s the tea: LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots get 14 times more profile views & 36 times more opportunities to receive a message. It’s all well and good to sell your services in a neatly proposed email, but if your email signature features a not so serious selfie or obviously outdated headshot, you may find yourself facing a hard delete.
In the age of social media, connecting with others for personal and business matters is easier than ever. If you want a beneficial impression, a professional headshot is the simplest way to get there. Now who better to trust than an experienced photographer who really knows what they are doing.
Steps to the perfect headshot:
Step 1
Spend the money on a trained quality professional, I can tell you right now — it’s well worth it. They’ll have the right equipment and they’ll understand how to direct you to get the best shot.
Step 2
Represent your true self. This means not asking for crazy airbrushing in post-production, or wearing full glam makeup that is not your day-to-day.
Step 3
Choose your surroundings. Natural lighting is very flattering for all skin tones offering a softer appearance whereas studio lighting is a little more polished. Other options include being photographed outside in a leafy green environment or choosing a neutral backdrop for a professional and sharp look.
