3 reasons to get your headshots now!
It’s a digital world. You need to be responsive and quick, as well as have an online presence, especially if you’re looking to start a business or make some inroads professionally.
So today we’re going to talk about headshots. What they are, why you should have some, and why now is the perfect time to get them!
What are headshots?
So what exactly is a headshot and what makes it different from, say, a selfie or a portrait?
A headshot is a closely cropped picture focused on the face, usually from the shoulders up and with the subject looking directly into the camera. Not too different from a portrait, right? True, but what distinguishes a headshot from a portrait is usually the professional intention of the photograph. (I say “usually” for reasons we’ll get to in the next section.) While headshots can certainly portray your creativity and artistic sensibilities, they are not taken as artistic pieces of work, but with the aim of showing a level of professionalism and respectability. In other words, they’re polished and serious, even if you’re smiling!
And it is professionalism, again, that distinguishes a headshot from a selfie, but more on the part of the photographer than the subject. A professional gets their headshot taken by another professional. That’s just the standard. Sure you can deviate from this, but at your risk! Trust me, I’ve faked headshots with some cleverly angled selfies in the past, and had friends snap pics of me in a pinch, but always to my detriment. When I saw my picture next to those of colleagues, the difference was obvious. That’s because a professional photographer will bring their talents and skills to the shoot which will take your shots to the polished level you need to get noticed and be taken seriously.
Getting professional headshots is an investment, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Our Portrait Category is affordable and perfect for ticking this box off your list. And as we’ll see from the next section, you always want to have a set of professional headshots in your digital back pocket!
Why headshots?
There are lots of reasons to get headshots done, but the main reason we do it is to promote ourselves professionally. People shouldn’t judge books by their covers, but the truth is we do. (I’m a sucker for a pretty cover every time!). So when potential customers or partners are reviewing your website or LinkedIn account, the first thing they see is your picture, and you want to show them upfront who you are: professional, trustworthy, sincere, all the things you’re promoting. You don’t need to be dressed in business attire and a serious expression, but your photo does need to reflect who you are and what you’re about. Your photographer will help with this. Not only can they guide you on what to wear, but they’ll bring out your style and brand. If you’re like me, you may not be naturally photogenic and no amount of creative selfies are going to make you look as good as the lighting, eye, and editing skills of a professional photographer.
Headshots are there to both introduce you and remind people of who you are, so you can ultimately make the partnerships you’re after. If someone refers to your website after networking with you at a dinner, a great headshot will have them saying, “Yes, I remember him/her! Such a cool person. I can’t wait to work with them!” That’s the goal.
As for that “usually” from the previous section. Well, the reason is that headshots can be used for many other things too: profile pics, dating sites, modeling portfolios, your blog’s About page, even school photos. But whatever reason you’re getting them, a good set of professional headshots undeniably boosts the self-confidence. We feel good when we look good. And we could all use that right now, right? Let’s look at some other reasons for why headshots now.
Why now?
The last years have been tough. But whether we like to admit it or not, it’s also brought some unexpected silver linings and surprising opportunities. Getting your headshots done now falls into this latter category. Here’s why:
1) Perfect for anyone
Only one person needs to be in front of the camera for headshots that tell who you are and what you’re about. And that’s you! You can feel good about being the star of your own photo shoot for the day knowing you’re getting an important task done. Not only that but our photographers have all the skills and lens get a stunning result.
2) Perfect time to rebrand or refresh
Perhaps the pandemic hasn’t delivered on everything we hoped, but it has offered a lot of new things, like time to focus on tasks and goals. This is where we look on the bright side, channel some optimism and prepare for any opportunity that arise. Which will happen. It always does. Don’t be one of those folks who wasted the time and opportunities. Come out the other side prepared and ready to roll, professionally and socially. Thinking of a rebrand as well? Then you definitely want some new headshots to go with your new ideas.
3) Perfect way to support local photographers
Another silver lining of the pandemic has been the reminder that local is always better. If our local communities aren’t thriving then neither are we. So just as you support local restaurants, markets, and shops, support your local photographers too. We want them around not just for our headshots today but all those important life events that are going to keep happening tomorrow and onward. And as we already mentioned, using the skills and talents of a professional photographer will result in polished, stunning headshots you’ll want to show off everywhere.