Executive and C-Suite Headshot Photographer
Professional headshots serve as a powerful asset, going beyond casual photos to become purposeful visual expressions of your professional identity. This post explores the importance of personal branding and the ways in which professional headshots can elevate your professional persona.
The Essence Of Personal Branding
Personal branding is the intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual. It elevates their credibility, showcases their expertise, and differentiates them from the competition. It’s about controlling the public narrative about who you are, what you represent, and what you aspire to be professionally.
Why Professional Headshot Portraits Matter
In an age where visual content reigns supreme, a professional headshot is usually the first point of contact between you and potential employers, clients, or collaborators. A headshot goes beyond a simple profile picture. It is a professional portrait that conveys your professionalism, confidence, and personality. Your headshot’s quality, style, and vibe can speak volumes about your professional identity and influence how others perceive you.
Crafting A Compelling Visual Identity
A professional headshot should align with your overall personal branding strategy. It should reflect the qualities you want to be associated with – approachability, authority, creativity, or reliability. The headshot’s background, attire, pose, and lighting should be carefully considered to match your professional brand. For example, a lawyer might opt for a more formal headshot with a neutral background, whereas a creative professional might choose a more relaxed pose with vibrant colors.
The ROI of Professional Headshots
Investing in personal branding and a professional headshot has a tangible return on investment. It can lead to more professional opportunities, higher visibility in your industry, and a stronger network. It’s an investment in your future and your career.
Headshot Tips for Success
Not all photographers coach their clients on what to do and what NOT to do during a headshot session.
Knowing my client's goals are IMPERATIVE to creating beautiful imagery that they will be happy with. Not to mention, this is my favorite part - getting to know one another so I can have creative liberty to create images that fit your needs.
Here are just a few of my favorite TIPS:
1. Don't expect the photographer will retouch your image unrealistically to look like an instagram influencer. I provide a detailed guide with tips to ensure a successful photoshoot.
2. Don't assume YOU know the best way to pose for the camera. I have years of experience in facial expression coaching and posing to make you look your best.
3. Don't forget styling and makeup. Styling comprises of clothing and makeup. Professional makeup application is very helpful for ladies and also nice bit of pampering right before your photoshoot. Ask me for artist recommenations. (Did you know that eyebrows and lips are the top 2 things that I say must be visited by your makeup artist to make a great portrait?)
Now that you are ready to get a modern updated headshot that you’ll love, set up a free consultation to learn more about my Signature Headshot and Personal Branding Sessions.
3 Steps to Check Up On Your Personal Brand
Have you ever googled yourself? No, I’m serious (even though it sounds silly.) Here are my steps to ensure your personal branding and marketing is working for you.
Step 1: Google yourself and see what the results are.
Step 2: Give your old profiles an update. Whether it’s an old blog, old website, , a stale LinkedIn profile or the neglected YouTube channel. Make sure all search results reflect your current brand and message.
An outdated profile can give the impression that you’re not staying current or growing…or even still in business!
Step 3: Use tools like Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your name and your business name.
The more you work on your personal brand, the more authority and confidence you will build.
The more authority your build, the more trust you will gain from your audience.
The more trust you gain from your audience, the more likely they are to become your client.
The Best Guide for Headshots for Realtors
The Best Guide for Headshots for Realtors
I haven’t met many people who love to have their photo taken. Real estate agent headshots are the first step to lookinBut when you have an outstanding headshot you are leveraging yourself to stand out in a saturated market. With the right coaching and guidance I will help you get the best headshots for your real estate business. I promise it will be fun..and easy!
You already know there are hundreds if not thousands of realtors. So what’s the number one reason why to chose a realtor? Your relationship with them. How to share your relationship, passion and your WHY can all be shown through your headshots and personal branding photos.
If you are using an old photo or a selfie, I guarantee you they will affect your marketing. Would you hire someone that looks unprofessional or worse, showcasing a photo taken from 1990?
As a professional photographer for 25 years, I have worked with so many real estate agents who know they need to update their online headshots and branding but are scared to take the first step. I will work with you on creating a strategy for your professional headshot portraits and share my ideas on how you can use them in your digital marketing.
Contact the studio for a free Consult to prepare and ensure success at your photoshoot!
How to Market Yourself (and your Personal Brand)
How to Market Yourself
(and your Personal Brand)
As an entrepreneur — the goal is to grow your business.
Implementing great marketing techniques should feel authentic for you, your business and your clients.
Ideally, it shouldn’t be complicated or overwhelming.
If you click around on business blogs or watch marketers on Instagram reels, you’re probably going to feel overwhelmed imagining that you need a library content, an email funnel and thousands of followers on social media.
This doesn’t need to be the case at all.
It’s a lot more effective to try out marketing that makes sense for you. Instead of stressing yourself out doing Instagram lives each week, find clarity around your goals and then go from there. It’s way less stressful, and it’s also a lot more effective, and can even be fun.
To market yourself the right way, you have to realize something super important: there really is no right way for everyone. There may be a right way for you, but it’s not going to be the same as your realtor friend or even your business partner.
Marketing is personal, especially when you’re a solopreneur. When we implement marketing that’s right for us, the possibility of a very successful business multiplies.
Often, marketing plans fall short because they haven’t identified their who, what, when, where, and why.
Let’s get clear with this simple exercise:
Who are you marketing to? Who is your ideal client, what are they looking for, and what are their biggest pain points?
What are you marketing? Are you trying for general brand awareness? Is there a specific service or offer you want to sell?
When are you marketing? Are you focusing on certain key periods in your business?
Where are you marketing? Are you on certain social media platforms, trying out an email newsletter or running paid ads? Where do you want to spend the most time?
Why are you marketing in the first place? Are you trying to grow your sales or looking for more leads? Or do you simply want to increase awareness?
For instance, some don’t love social media. Instead, you might want to be focus on your email list. It doesn’t matter which one you prefer just be sure to show up there.
So, as you start dreaming up a marketing strategy that resonates with you, remember: this is not life and death, it has no impact on your worth, and it has only as much power as you let it.
I might be biased, but I think one of the best ways you can show up in your marketing is through personal branding photos that capture your personality. Most importantly, personal branding photos give you the chance to show your authentic self and put your best impression as an entrepreneur.
It actually matters more than you think. People want to feel connected to the those that they’re working with, they want to see a personal side too. It’s the know, like, trust factor.
So, friends, here’s your challenge: start marketing your business in the ways that feel good to you. If personal branding photography is part of that, contact me. I’d love to help you.
LinkedIn Profile Picture Tips
A professional headshot is a must on your LinkedIn profile.
Your profile picture is the first impression that people have of you, it shows up in searches and in Google, and it enables you to connect with others and visually convey your personal brand.
According to LinkedIn, “members who include a profile photo receive 21 times more profile views and up to 36 times more messages.”
A study of 500 profile pictures found that people view you as more likable, competent and influential if you smile in your profile photo. The study also found that people with open mouth smiles were considered twice as likable as closed mouth smiles.
You’d be surprised just how many casual (aka unfriendly/unapproachable) headshots there are on LinkedIn. Photos in which you are smiling and dressed professionally are key as well as updating your photo if it is more than a year old.
Ensure that your LinkedIn profile photo is a high-resolution, professional headshot that is correctly sized. When you work with a professional headshot photographer, they should know proper cropping and sizing should you need assistance.
Aim to have your face filling about 60 percent of the space. There’s no need for a full-body view of you – your photo should focus on your face.
Having a low-resolution unprofessional LinkedIn photo is as bad as not having any photo at all.
It goes without saying that your headshot should look like you. Today. Not you 10 years ago. If you don’t look like your headshot, it can create a level of distrust with your clients. I recommend getting a new headshot every year and taking several photos in different outfits (with tie, without tie, women in a jacket and without one) to give you and your social media team variety when they post photos of you online.
Not having a headshot also can signal that you just don’t care enough about your profile and what others think of you.
Here are my 10 Don’ts for your LinkedIn profile photo:
Don’t include a pet or child in your photo
No selfies
Don’t post a photo of you taken in a car
Don’t wear too much makeup or no makeup at all – look as natural and polished as possible
Don’t wear casual clothing or too much jewelry
Don’t use a group photo
Don’t use a low-resolution or blurry photo
Don’t use a photo of you that is more than one year old
Don’t wear sunglasses or hold a drink
Don’t use a full body photo. Your profile photo should only showcase your face.
A great LinkedIn headshot is attainable and essential for social media. Contact the studio and find out how we can create your best profile pic.
A Few Reasons Why to Get a Branding Photoshoot
A personal branding photoshoot is a powerful tool for those looking to establish and promote their brand. In today's digital age, where personal and professional identities often merge online, the importance of a personal branding photoshoot cannot be overstated. Here are several key reasons why it's crucial:
First Impressions: Your online presence is often the first impression people have of you, whether it's on social media, your website, or professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. High-quality, professionally taken photos can help you make a positive and memorable first impression.
Authenticity: Personal branding photoshoots allow you to showcase your true personality, values, and passions. Authenticity is highly valued by audiences today, and your photos should reflect who you genuinely are.
Consistency: A personal branding photoshoot ensures that you have a consistent and cohesive visual identity across all your online and offline platforms. Consistency builds trust and recognition with your audience.
Professionalism: High-quality photos convey professionalism. Whether you're an entrepreneur, job seeker, or a professional in any field, having professional photos can give you a competitive edge.
Storytelling: Photos can tell a story and evoke emotions. They can communicate your journey, experiences, and aspirations, helping you connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Versatility: Personal branding photos can be used across various channels and purposes, such as social media profiles, website banners, email signatures, and marketing materials. This versatility maximizes the value of the photoshoot.
Brand Recognition: Over time, consistent personal branding photos help people recognize you and associate you with your brand. This recognition can lead to more opportunities and networking connections.
Engagement: High-quality photos are more likely to engage your audience. Visual content tends to receive more likes, shares, and comments on social media, which can boost your online visibility.
Confidence: Knowing that you have professional photos that represent you well can boost your self-confidence, whether you're promoting yourself for career advancement or personal goals.
Competitive Advantage: In competitive industries, having a well-crafted personal brand that includes professional photos can set you apart from others with similar qualifications or skills.
Adaptability: As your personal brand evolves, your photos can be updated to reflect these changes, ensuring that your brand remains current and relevant.
Memorability: Memorable photos can help you stand out in the minds of potential clients, employers, or collaborators. They can leave a lasting impression that makes people more likely to remember and reach out to you.
In conclusion, a personal branding photoshoot is a strategic investment in your online and offline presence. It helps you convey your identity, values, and professionalism to your target audience effectively. In today's highly competitive and visually-oriented world, personal branding is essential for personal and professional success, and quality photos play a significant role in this branding process.
It's Not Just For The Money
I’ve been asked by new entrepreneurs, why do I donate my sessions and packages to non-profits. This is true in the case of silent auctions as well as on-going support for specific local non-profits that are very special to me. In addition, I am a volunteer Board Member for a local non-profit as well.
Specifically they ask “how can I afford to donate so much of my time and talent and for FREE?”
Well, let me tell you. Thank you to my PAYING clients because that enables me not just to support myself and my family. My photography business of 23 years is not a hobby. Many people who have full-time employment by large corporations may not realize how expensive it is to be an entrepreneur. All they think is how lucky we are to make our own schedule and do a job we truly love. And yes, that is all true. However, there’s the cost of equipment, insurance, licenses, software, advertising, rent, and oh yes, don’t forget TAXES!
Each year I donate to many local non-profits in many ways. Silent auctions for local education organizations, family portraits and headshots for Shepherds Gate helping women and children suffering from homelessness, addiction and domestic violence, serves as an Ambassador for the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Board Member of Tri-Valley Reach helping adults with IDD live in independent communities, and a volunteer photographer for Portraits for Patriots giving free headshots to transitioning military who have served our country. Just to name a few!
Very often, silent auction bidding is below actual cost. And yet, I still do them. Why? Well it is in hopes that the recipients of these auctions see the immense value I offer and support me. Whether you are a full-paying client or auction winner, I take the same amount of time and effort to deliver an exceptional experience and product for each and every client.
Do I hope they appreciate my generosity for the time and value they receive? Of course, however, I would be lying if I said that I haven’t been taken advantage of. Perhaps it’s simply they aren’t educated to understand that small business owners give to non-profits NOT for the accolades and exposure to their business, but because they truly care about giving back to their community.
In my opinion, it is the responsibility of a local business to support their local community. And it doesn’t necessarily have to mean giving out services or products for free. It could be simply sharing your time and gifts for the benefits of others and those in need.
What's the best color to wear for headshots?
This is the number one question we get asked. It’s easier for me to tell you what NOT to wear versus what TO wear.
Stay away from white, off-white and beige.
If you love the color black, make sure your black top is a fresh black - not faded and definitely freshly laundered and free from lint.
Most often, the color I recommend is navy for business and corporate headshots. Navy looks great on all skintones.
If you want specific help, I’d love to chat with you. After you book your session, we can set up a zoom call to go over your options.