Headshots

Whatever your reasons behind wanting a new headshot, have you ever really considered just how important it is to have a decent one? Because first impressions count and that’s all people have to go on initially!

So whether you are creating a LinkedIn profile, want to apply for a job or want to venture into the world of online dating, you must make sure that your first impressions are the best they can possibly be!

A quality headshot will make you more appealing to recruiters online, as you’ll be able to present yourself as professional, friendly, and reliable. Imagine what would a recruiter or potential employer think about your blurry photo from that party three years ago?

Simply put, people decide all kinds of things about you within the first few seconds of seeing your picture and / or meeting you – from your level of intelligence to your socio-economic status. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression so make sure your one-shot counts!

The truth is that every business, no matter the industry, can benefit from having professional headshot of themselves on their website. No matter who your customers are or what you are selling, showing the people behind the business, is an important asset that will contribute to your overall branding and success. When it comes to business expenses that are absolutely worth it, professional photography should be at the top of the list.

Top 6 Reasons to Update your Headshots:

• First Impressions. Did you know that we are judged within 11 seconds of meeting someone or being seen? How crazy is that? Within a few seconds of meeting (or seeing a picture of you), immediate, long-lasting judgments have been made about you based on your appearance. Everything from intelligence, social status and professional status will be decided. Frankly, this immediate judgment is difficult to override once it has been formed.  So whether you have sent in a CV for your dream job, have uploaded your profile picture on a new dating app or you are just uploading your details on LinkedIn, you have only 11 seconds to make an impression and get yourself noticed. Now think about whether that old photo of you taken in a pub after too many cocktails (where you have cropped your friend out – yes this is an actual true story) is the best impression you can give as this has profound implications for your online presence.

• Professionalism. Simply put, it will make you look more professional and credible and you will be taken more seriously. It is the primary image that you share with the world so it needs to scream credibility and it needs to count!

• Be authentic. Your prospective customers/employers/dates want to see the real you. they are not interested in old photos or photoshopped versions. And let’s face it – what’s the point? They’ll see the real you if/when they meet you in person, so why not show them the real you on your terms? Where you look and feel fabulous?

• Stand out from the crowd. I bet you have never thought about the impact that a background could have on the overall picture? Or how a background could make the image pop out even more? This is so important when you are trying to make your application or profile really stand out.

• Images on the web. If you are a small business owner and looking into SEO and how to make your business page jump up the google rankings, then a variety of professional headshots on different pages will do just that!

• Your current images are outdated. Don’t be held back by a poor-quality or outdated image that doesn’t show you off in the best light. Not forgetting the fact that you will have changed. And if your profile picture is not up-to-date then it will count against you and give a bad impression.

Location

The location for the next Headshot day is:

Hocombe Mead in Chandlers Ford (Monday 23rd Sept 10am – 2pm)

Valley Park in Chandlers Ford (Friday 27th Sept 10am – 2pm)

The locations for my Headshot days will vary from shoot to shoot, but I will ensure that within the 1 location there will be several different backdrops available. Although you may not have ever really considered the impact that different backdrops and lighting levels has on your headshot, I can assure you the colours make a massive difference depending on the colour you are wearing and your skin tone.

Have a look at the example below and look at the impact that the different backdrop has on the image.

Makes such a difference doesn’t it? The darker backgrounds really make her pop out more whereas the lighter background just washes out her face and she doesn’t pop at all. Do you have a favourite or does one image stand out more than another?

A career coach once told me that the backdrop is an essential part of the headshot as that is the bit that stands out. Many headshots are submitted with white backgrounds which, although they look professional and clean and smart, they don’t necessarily stand out from a crowd and so can easily be overlooked. 

Clothing – Top Tips

The most important aspect regarding clothing for any shoot, is that you feel confident and comfortable. If you don’t feel comfortable or confident then it will show in your face and then the images will not be representative of your true fabulous self!

If you did want some top tips to get the most from your headshot, I have compiled the following. Please do not feel like you absolutely have to follow them as they are more tips and guidelines than rules!

• Wear clothes that fit. I know this sounds ridiculous and so obvious but you’d be surprised how much of a difference it makes to an image if clothes are slightly too tight or too baggy, especially if a collar is pinching around the neck. Although headshots are typically just the head, I always shoot a range of close-ups as well as full-body shots just to give you a selection. Fitted clothes tend to flatter more than loose and baggy clothing.

• Wear neutral shades that won’t overwhelm the frame or blend (or clash with the background).  This is particularly important if the location has a background filled with flowers or trees. Nothing too similar to skin tones as these will make you look washed out. Neutral shades that are significantly lighter or darker than your skin tones look great.

• Ideally wear solid colours rather than a print or pattern. Not only may prints or patterns seem unappealing to some, they can also clash with a background, especially if the background is bright or busy itself (as is the case of being outdoors). Also pay paerticular attention if you are wanting headshots for your website – try and encorporate your brand colours withing your outfit so that your photos and your branding is seamless!

• Avoid clothes with labels or logos on them. As we will not be shooting an advertisement for the clothing brand, you don’t want it to appear all of your own professional headshots. If you are shooting for your business, and want to wear your own clothing with your logo on it however, this is entirely different!

• Accessorise carefully and subtly – it’s amazing the difference a scarf or tie can add to the mix. You want to compliment the outfit rather than clash or draw attention away from your face! If you are shooting with your own business in mind, try to accessorise with something in your brand colours at all times so that there is a flow and continuity across all your images.

• Be yourself! Despite all of the above, the most important thing is that your clothes and style represent you! There is absolutely no point wearing a smart black suit in your headshot photos if you are a gardener and need to be captured in your normal workwear!