Many people often wonder should they get professional headshots? A professional headshot is an investment in you and your personal brand.
It might be tempting to ask a friend to take your headshot, but there’s a good chance they won’t be able to capture all the elements that combine to create an effective headshot.
A professional photographer on the other hand will have spent time developing their craft. They’ll know how to choose the right location and style to match your brand and how to gently guide you, so you feel relaxed during the photo session.
Think of your professional headshot as a visual handshake
Not only does your headshot allow people to connect with you quickly and put a face to the name, it captures you feeling confident and looking your best.
When we’re scanning a website or a social post, you only have a few seconds to grab the reader’s attention. So it’s really important to create a strong connection quickly.
If you have a moment, have a look at all your headshots
Quickly scan LinkedIn, Facebook, your website or wherever your headshots are used and ask yourself…
- Do they feel consistent with your brand?
- Are they up to date – do they reflect how you look now?
- Do they show you looking your best?
- Are they engaging?
- Do you look relaxed and confident?
- Are they images you feel proud to share?
How did you get on?
If you got a “yes” across the board, your headshots are still working well for you. I’d take a look in another 12 months or consider updating them if you reposition your business.
If you answered “no” to any of the questions, it’s probably time to refresh your headshots. You may have repositioned your business, updated your branding or joined a new company. Maybe fashion has changed and your headshots feel too formal or outdated.
If you’ve decided it’s time to move forward and get some fresh headshots, the article “do all photographers do headshots?” might be useful. It’s a quick guide with lots of tips to help you find the right photographer for you.
If you’d like to find out more, I’ve written a series of headshot photography FAQs. Clients often ask me these questions, so I hope you find them helpful.
If you prefer a chat instead to help you decide if you should get professional headshots, or you’d like to plan a headshot session you can book a complimentary consultation call here.
Learn more about headshot photography and the other services I offer including business storytelling photography, personal branding photography and corporate event photography.
