Professionalism is key in the business world. You will get more attention from your customers if your headshot is professional. The key to success is your image. Here are some tips to help you look your best online.
What is a corporate headshot?
Corporate Headshots are essentially a Business Portrait. However, they are shot in a close-up setting and include the person’s head.
For what purpose do corporate headshots serve?
Social profiles – LinkedIn profiles, Facebook profiles, Twitter, etc.
Company reports
Websites, Intranets or Blogs
Business cards
Resumes
Brochures
Online PR and Press publications
First impression count
You will be able to look great on your website, in your social profiles, or any other platform that you use. This will give the public confidence in you and your company. Your business will look professional and personal if you have a great corporate photo in the “About Us” section. Professionals can capture your best image and present it to the public. If your headshot isn’t professional enough, it will not be worth sharing with anyone. It could also risk making a poor first impression which could result in you losing customers. Your shoot will be a joy if you have the right photographer to guide you. Photographers who love to work with people make the best headshots.
Look your best for your corporate photography session
Book a professional corporate photographer. This is not the case if you are looking for a photographer who specializes only in pet, baby or product photography. Although they will take some nice photos, they may not be able create a corporate headshot that will properly represent your brand. After selecting your photographer, you will have to decide where the photography session will take place. Make sure you take a look at the portfolio of your chosen photographer before making any final decisions. You should also remember that prices can be misleading. Sometimes the lowest priced photographer might end up being a better option than a second shoot with someone else. Your headshot will be an investment that will last you many years. Therefore, it is worth the investment.
Tell your photographer where you intend to use your headshot – Do you need it for your LinkedIn profile? A PR publication? A headshot for a LinkedIn profile is not the right size. It is therefore important to inform your photographer before you book your session. For example, a LinkedIn profile photograph will require a simple background, more head and more eyes. If it’s for a book cover or newspaper article, you should inform your photographer. Your personality and brand might need to be photographed in a different way. Perhaps a series of business or environmental portraits would be better. You might need extra space for text or images. The photographer will need to plan this when framing the photo. Let them know all you can so they can prepare the right equipment.
As photographers offer different packages for their photography sessions, make sure you know what you can expect from it. Some offer shorter sessions, while others provide retouches so that you only get a handful of images. Remember that you won’t be able relax or change your clothes during a photo shoot lasting 30 minutes. Many people find it takes time to become comfortable with the surroundings. Remember that you are inviting a stranger into the space of your private life. Give yourself enough time to adjust to your surroundings and feel at ease. It is better to take photos when you are relaxed and comfortable than when you are tight-lipped and anxious. It takes some time to experiment with different outfits in order to find the one that will best show you. For example, your favorite shirt might not work well with this particular shirt. When it comes to clothing, black and white images are important. A different colour will look almost the same in both black and blue. If you choose to go down a black or white route, be sure to discuss your choices with your photographer.
Communicating clearly and giving a detailed brief are key factors in a successful photo session. It is difficult to convert colour images to black and white if you don’t do it right. The two image processing methods are different and will require a different approach. It will therefore take longer for your photographer. You should also remember that most image processing jobs require extra work like image retouching and conversion to black-and-white. This is called ‘computer time’.
You can also send examples of your corporate headshots to your photographer prior to the session. It will help you prepare and give them a good idea of the setting in which they will shoot you. Take a look at the web and do some research. Pinterest, Google Images, LinkedIn and others are all great places to find photos. Email your photographer a screen capture and include a few words about what you love about the image.
It is important to plan ahead and decide what look you want. This is perfectly normal since it takes too much time and can eat into the session. For a corporate shoot, it is normal to have around 2-3 changes. Make sure you bring at least 4-5 outfits. If you aren’t sure what to wear or which look is best after trying out your outfits, then consult your photographer. Many photographers will gladly recommend the best outfit and the most appropriate outfit to fit your brief. Remember that your photographer may not know you well and will often be meeting you for the very first time. The same sweater that your mother-inlaw knitted may not be appealing to other people who don’t know about you. Follow the advice of a professional photographer!
You don’t have to be a pro at makeup. All you need is natural beauty. If you are unsure about what look is best for you, then it’s a good idea to hire a professional make-up artist. A professional should be able do your hair and make-up. You will be able to find a variety of make-up artists through your professional photographer. It is possible that they can also help you hire them. Ask your photographer before you go. They may already have a rate set with the make up artist, which can help you save money on the shoot.
Clean hair is important. If your hair looks greasy or dirty, it will not look professional.
Rock band. Don’t let your roots show in the photos. Also, don’t forget about to colour your hair before the shoot. Retouching can be more costly than hiring a professional to do it.
Finally, make sure to look in the mirror before your photo shoot. You should make sure your shirt and tie are ironed. Make sure you are not transferring lipstick to your teeth. You can have all these issues taken care of by your professional photographer during your shoot. However, it is important that you are prepared for any imperfections that might show up in your images.