Why Every Business Owner Should Have Professional Headshots
SBI Co-Founder Allison Muirhead of Allison Muirhead Photography and Cultivate Branding shares her expertise on what a good photographer can do for you and your business.
I would bet that you can come up with hundreds of reasons why you don’t want to have your headshot done. I get it, not many people enjoy being photographed, but it doesn’t have to be a bad experience! Hiring a professional, who knows what they are doing, is the key to a great shot and a great experience. Looking natural, good lighting, and a genuine expression are so important to a great headshot. Hiring a professional will make this process much easier!
A professional and experienced headshot photographer can and should provide you with advice on wardrobe and location, along with tips and tricks to really bring out the best “you”. A good photographer also knows how to do retouching so you still look like yourself. They can fix flyaway hairs, blemishes, whiten teeth, smooth out skin, or even take off 5-10 lbs. A photographer should bring out the very best in the person they are photographing. For example, photographers study color and the subliminal affects on the viewer, they know camera angles, posing and lighting, they know what that proper wardrobe says “I’m powerful” or “I’m approachable”, it is all about perceptions and what you want your first impression to be. All of this is portrayed in your headshot.
So, what are the top 5 reasons to hire a professional to do your headshot?
1. Professionalism. First and foremost it gives you credibility and professionalism. In this digital world you are reaching your clients digitally long before they speak to you and the first thing they see on all social channels is your headshot.
2. First Impressions. Did you know that we are judged by someone within 11 seconds of meeting or being seen? Like or not, it’s true that we judge others buy their photo. People want to work with people.
3. Confidence and Personality! A good headshot will give your potential customers an idea of who you are and help you feel confident and professional when you are calling on a potential client.
4. Stand out above the rest. A great profile photo on LinkedIn will set you apart from the competition. It is your first introduction to your client. You would not believe how many people use a “selfie” or crop a family member out of an image. This is not a good way to show who you are or what you are about. I’m also always shocked at how many people don’t even have a photo up on LinkedIn.
5. Visual Reminder of who you are. How many times have you been to a function and met someone you wanted to connect with for business? A good current headshot can be a visual cue for someone to remember you and connect with you on LinkedIn or other platforms.
A professional headshot is truly priceless. It is your first line of introduction, so make it a quality one. We want you to have a first impression you can be proud of, while making the process easy, fun and quick. To inquire about a professional headshot session, contact Allison Muirhead Photography or Cultivate Branding.
Professional headshots are an often overlooked part of starting or planning for your business. It would be easy to put all your effort into the products or services that you provide, especially in the beginning, but high quality headshots should actually be one of the first things you do when starting a business.