How To Nail Your Headshot: 3 Surprising Tips For Professionals | Denver Photographer Headshots, Underexposed®
First impressions are everything!
In today's professional world, first impressions are crucial. As a professional, industry expert, business owner, speaker, or influencer, having a great headshot is one of the most important tools you can have.
Why Professional Photographer Headshots Matter
Your headshot is often your first introduction to potential clients, employers, and collaborators. It's a chance to stand out in networking circles and career searches. A well-crafted headshot can even give your career or business a financial boost.
Consider this scenario:
You update all your social media profiles, website, business cards, and marketing materials with a new headshot. Suddenly, inquiries start pouring into your inbox.
Why?
A high-quality, professional headshot conveys your personality and positions you as an industry expert. It distinguishes you from the competition and engages potential clients who see not just a picture, but a friendly, approachable expert ready to help them.
So, how do you make sure that your headshot does these things?
To make sure your headshot meets these criteria, follow these three surprising tips for getting a great headshot:
3 Surprising Tips For Achieving The Perfect Headshot
1) Invest in a Professional Headshot Photographer
You’re probably thinking “yeah-yeah I figured…” but here’s why.
A selfie or iPhone photo just isn't going to cut it anymore if you really want to stand out. You need to make sure your headshot is high-quality with great lighting. There are technical aspects of the quality of the photo that are important for the different ways the photo is used. The last thing you want is for your headshot to look grainy, pixilated, or blurry — this will have potential clients looking for someone better. It’s amazing the psychology of our buyers-minds when it comes to looking for the right professional to hire. So, you want to make sure it’s you!
That said, a GREAT headshot is an investment. As a professional, I encourage you to find the right photographer who knows these things! Not just go for the cheap or budget-friendly option. 9 times out of 10, you will end up unhappy with an ok-photo that doesn’t help your business. To be completely straight-forward, you will want to spend a couple hundred dollars. Trust me, you will see the ROI in your business.
2) Make it Crystal Clear What You Do
A good headshot is just a good photo of you — probably even one that you actually like. But a GREAT headshot positions you as the go-to professional in your industry.
When potential clients look at your headshot photo, they should be able to immediately tell what you do, what your business is, or at least what industry you’re in. This way, you actually look the part and it’s crystal clear to potential clients that you are who they are looking for. Don’t make them work to see if you’re the right fit. Make. It. CLEAR.
3) Approachability is EVERYTHING
Now, this tips is WHY you work with a professional photographer. A great headshot photo should be friendly to look at. Because when you look friendly and approachable, your headshot invites your potential clients to reach out to you. (See, a great headshot does so much more than you think! Doesn’t it?)
Here are a couple of things to remember when you’re getting your headshot taken. Smile in your headshot. Make eye contact with the camera. And last but certainly not least, lean your upper body forward toward the camera. Body language is a pro-tip used by only the best photographers to really capture an approachable and best headshot for you!
To learn about the best tips for preparing for your photographer headshot session, check out my other blog post: How to Prepare for Your Headshot Photography Session.
Ready to Book Your Headshot Photography Session?
If you’re ready to book a headshot photography session, and near Denver, Colorado, let’s chat!
I have a professional Hair & Makeup Artist and location recommendations to design your Headshot Photography Session. In addition, before your session, I send you a questionnaire to design your session and we book a Zoom consultation call to discuss wardrobe and prop options, details for your shoot, and answer any questions you have.
Closing Notes
By following these tips, you'll end up with a great headshot that not only helps you stand out but also helps you gain more business and opportunities. Make your first impression count with a professional headshot that truly represents your professional brand!
Underexposed® is proud to be an LGBTQ Ally and Foster Friendly Business, so all identities, cultures, abilities & genders are welcome and supported.
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