Is it time for professional headshots? Or are you thinking yours may need an update? Not sure what to expect? Is it worth dipping into your marketing budget? All these questions about professional headshots, and more, will be answered below!
Yes, A Professional Headshot Should Be Included in Your Marketing Budget
A professional headshot gives you some serious bang for your marketing budget buck! As we all know, first impressions really last. And when people find you online, see you on the back of your book cover, or when they check out your website, a quality photo is going to make the right first impression. They also tells your audience that you’re serious about yourself, and that you care about the impression you make.
What’s even better is that professional headshots can be used on a variety of platforms. You can use them for your social media accounts, your online author platforms, your book cover jacket, and any number of print marketing materials. This includes your press kit, which you’ll be asked for at some point—and you’ll be ready, like the pro you are!
And to be honest, a professional photographer knows all the tricks to make you look your very best. So, it’s a self-esteem boost too!
Is it Time to Update My Professional Headshot?
Okay, be honest. If someone just met you in person today, would they recognize you from your headshot? If you’re not absolutely sure, it’s probably time to update yours. Headshots should ideally be updated every few years, at least! If you have a totally different hairstyle, have lost or gained a significant amount of weight, or, just in general, look very different now than when you had your last professional headshot done, go ahead and plan for new ones.
Besides, styles change—not only with clothing and hair, but photography styles. A headshot isn’t the same as a driver’s license photo. They may not officially expire, but you can’t expect the one from 8 years ago to still work for you.
Personally, I recommend that you have your headshot taken every year. And remember, you don’t even have to use it. That’s right, remove the pressure, just get your photo taken. Then you will have lots to choose from today and into the future. Here’s the truth—photos I took three years ago look darn good to me today. I wasn’t so bad looking after all. Get in the habit. You’ll be glad you did!
What Should I Expect from the Photo Shoot?
Depending on how many outfit changes, or backgrounds you’re wanting, the time it takes to complete a professional photoshoot could be anywhere from 30 minutes to as long as 3 hours or more.
This will all be planned in advance, and your photographer will be able to give you an estimate on time and price beforehand.
Don’t worry too much about how you’re going to pose to look your best because your photographer should guide you in this. They know all the tricks to make you look your very best. They know which angles, postures, and lighting really work to flatter you and make you look amazing!
How Should I Prepare for My Headshot?
First, cross your fingers that you’ll be having a good hair day (just kidding). But seriously, it’s probably a good idea to wash your hair the day before the shoot if you tend to get those annoying fly-aways. It’s a good idea to come prepared with your favorite, trusty hair product too. And if your hair needs a trim, you may want to book an appointment with your stylist a week before the shoot (never do this right before a photoshoot). You can also bring a hairstylist and makeup artist with you if you have the budget.
For those of you who wear makeup, you don’t have to put on a ton to look good. But, you may want to make sure your face isn’t shiny. A good matte powder in your skin tone does wonders (this goes for non-makeup folks too—yes, even you men out there, no one wants a shiny forehead). If you have features you want to enhance, play them up a bit more than you would on an average day. Choose tones that work to enhance your features (rather than standing out on their own—oh my, what purple eyelids you have!). Of course, no one is going to blame you if you want to wear some bold lipstick to really put the focus on your smile. Wear what makes you feel good and comfortable. Be sure to play with this before the day of your shoot so you have just the right look when it’s time for you to smile for the camera.
What Should I Wear to My Photoshoot?
Wear a solid color. Avoid patterns and stripes as they tend to distract and create a moire effect (which creates unsettling movement for the eye). We want you to be the subject, not your pinstripes! Also, choose clothing in your most flattering color. You may want to splurge and go shopping. New, crisp clothing looks great on camera and will make you feel great too. How you feel about yourself comes across on camera.
Another tip on clothing: Avoid sleeveless. Wear something that covers your shoulders! Why? Well, because the upper arm area tends to have a life of its own when it comes to flattering (or unflattering) angles. Unless you have arms like Michelle Obama, then, by all means!
Practice. Try your outfits on in advance and snap a few photos with your smartphone. Some clothes look amazing in person, but not so great on film. I recpommend well-fitted clothes as well, even if they feel awkward in person, they will be more slimming in photos.
Lastly, be prepared. Bring several outfits AND several jewelry options so it doesn’t look like you took all of your photos on the same day. It’s good to have many photos to choose from.
A Little Bit About Lighting:
Lighting means everything! North-facing light is the magic bullet when it comes to getting the most flattering headshot possible. Check out these two photos of me, below. The left photo (in blue) is ok, but it really doesn’t pass muster. I’ve got dark shadows around my eyes and harsh lines everywhere (even the wrinkles in my shirt stand out). The photo of me on the right (in Cabernet red) is way softer and more flattering.
So, what’s different?
Both scenarios were taken with natural lighting. The image on the left has me in front of a window with light coming in from the east, whereas the image on the right is north facing light with a soft fill light. What a difference the light makes.
Also, I look better in the darker wine color and my head angle makes me look more relaxed and natural. People always compliment me on my headshots and I have to give all the credit to my photographer, Chad Thompson. Psst, he’s also my husband, so I feel very comfortable around him. Speaking of …
Connecting With Your Photographer
Not only do I recommend choosing a photographer whose work you admire, but also be sure to have a heart-to-heart conversation with that person. Do they get what you are trying to achieve? Do you feel comfortable and heard? The right photographer will take the time to pull out the best in you and make you feel comfortable. Chad always gets high praise from his clients. Here’s one endorsement from a previous client whose experience changed how she feels about getting that annual headshot taken.
“Recently, I had an opportunity to do a photoshoot with Chad Thompson. I was hoping to get a single good headshot for some upcoming writing events. I somewhat dreaded it worrying about having to pick the right outfit and then pose and smile just right. Ugh. What happened, however, was anything but dreadful. It was fun! Instead of a formal studio setting, we chose to shoot outside. Brilliant photographer, Chad Thompson, captured so many moods, so many smiles, so many outfits! Jeniffer handed me a glass of wine at one point and encouraged me to laugh and dance, to look this way and that as she held the reflective light shades that made my photos bright.
“When I got the amazing collection of photos back, I got to see for myself the smirky, cheeky, confidant, serious, somber, playful, sensual, soul searching, thoughtful, and sweet outer expressions I take into the world. It was nothing but enlivening. I highly recommend it. This may become an annual tradition!” —Marijke McCandless, Awareness Practitioner, Playful Instigator, Writer
Marijke needed to feel at home and be able to play and have fun, so that is exactly what we did. Listen, outdoor shoots can be a lot of fun, below are more examples.
Some final tips from us:
- Be prepared
- Have several outfits to play with on the day of
- Bring a matte powder to remove any possibility of a shiny forehead
- Bring your favorite hair products, your own makeup (if you wear it), a hairbrush, and a mirror
- Don’t wear patterns. They can be really distracting.
- Avoid sleeveless
- Bring samples of photos you like so your photographer knows what you are looking for
- Drink water (or wine if that helps you relax). Not red though—it stains your teeth!
- Relax and have fun!
Where Should I Use My Professional Headshots?
As mentioned above, you can use your professional headshots basically everywhere a photo of yourself is required. Put it on your LinkedIn profile. And Twitter. Or any other social media platforms you use!
You’ll also have it available for when it’s requested. Are you speaking at a convention? Writing a guest blog post? Are you scheduled for an upcoming book promotion event? Maybe you’re going to be a guest on a podcast? All these scenarios will likely require a headshot.
You’ll also use your headshot:
- On your book cover
- On your website
- On print marketing materials
- In your press kit
- and even in your email signature if you get a really good one!
In conclusion, though your selfies are lovely and/or attractive, a professional headshot is going to really make you shine. And if you already have a headshot, and it’s been a few years or you have a new look, it may be time for a fresh one. This is especially true if you have special events coming up, like a book release f or example.
Also, even though a lot people don’t love the idea of having their photo taken, a professional photographer is there to help set you at ease!
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