What does your business headshot say about you?
A
headshot is a face, or head and shoulders photograph generally used as an
avatar to represent you on your business profiles, online or in printed media.
It goes
without saying, that as your headshot represents you in business, it needs to
look professional. Too many professionals are using shots which look..
- · Amateur-ish with nasty yellow colour casts
- · poorly focused
- · poorly lit
- · ..or God forbid, taken in a bar..
If your
headshot is any of the above, I would suggest, that in order to salvage some
respect from your audience, you get rid of it now. With an inappropriate
headshot (and that simply means a bad or “social” photograph), you are
suggesting to the world that you either cannot be bothered to invest 15 minutes
on your marketing, or that you lack respect for the people that take the
trouble to look at your pages.
..BUT I LOOK THE SHIZZEL!
You
probably like the picture because it makes you look thinner, or younger, but
seriously, all your prospects and colleagues care about is...
- · Do you look like you know what you are doing?
- · Do you look professional?
- · Do you look like you have the confidence to deal with their enquiries in an appropriate conduct?
- · Do you look approachable?
If the
answer is "yes" to all these questions, then an extra chin, wont put
them off contacting you. (In fact, it may even make them believe you have been
able to indulge as a result of your success!)
Please,
if you do one thing this week, invest in a good headshot, and if you don't want
to hire a photographer, then here are a few tips to help you achieve a great
image, yourself!
HEATHER'S TIPS FOR A TOP HEADSHOT
1. LIGHTING
The
word "photograph" doesn't mean "drawing with light" for
nothing. You need light, plenty of it, and the right colour.
If you
are going to photograph yourself in your home, and you want a nice white
background, choose a north facing window and shoot into the light. Don't
be scared, it works.
NEVER use
a photograph where the light looks yellow - its nasty, and yellow light is
generally associated with cheap hotels or poor white balance (aka you don't
know what you're doing..) Stay away from blue light too (unless you are
working a murder scene..)
The free
stuff that comes from the sky, during the day is great.
2. LOOKING GOOD!
Dress
appropriately! This is an investment in yourself and your business, so
think about it. Dress to impress. If you were going to an investor,
what would you wear? Then wear it. Your headshot is the only
visual, your contacts know about you, as opposed to your business.
Chances are, there will only be a glimpse of your clothing anyway, so we
aren't talking a huge investment here..
3. FILL THE FRAME
A photo
of a nasty room with you in it, is not a photo of you. Your head
needs to fill at least 60% of the frame for it to be a headshot. If you
don't like yourself on camera, don’t worry - This is about your
confidence to carry this off, and your confidence in your business, not whether
your nose is big. (Incidentally, if your nose is big, (like mine) photograph
your face, straight on and no-one will know!)
4. SMILE
Yes I
know - cheesy right?
Admittedly
I'm not smiling on mine, but I was wearing braces on my teeth so do you blame
me? A smile is an invitation to say hello - a gesture that you are open
to conversation, a way of letting the viewer know you are human and want to
connect.. It's friendly, and it gives the impression you do at least have
a sense of humour - so what can be wrong with that?
You don't
like your smile? Neither do I, but my smiley pictures are the ones that
make me look happy and confident which is how I like to be perceived by my
peers. When I meet a customer for the first time, do I stay pan or frown
at them..? No, I smile!
5. CLARITY
This is
your professional headshot so it needs clarity, just like your business.
It needs to be sharp, like you, and it needs to mean something. If
you want to add a prop, do it, but keep it simple. If you want to add
humour, great - that shows you are confident, but don't do anything that is in
danger of offending anyone in any way - sounds obvious, but you'd be
surprised..
6. KEEP IT SIMPLE - STUDIO STYLE?
Want this
look? Fine - its safe and in no danger of being misconstrued as a night
out with the lads, so yes. Photograph yourself in front of a white wall
or get an A2 piece of foam board (about £2 for your stationer) and go for it.
7. POSTURE
I would
suggest you stand as you can drop your shoulders and elongate your neck.
If you do have that extra chin, look up into the camera placing the
camera slightly above you, then you'll get that lovely shape of your original
chin - always a bonus.
8. PRO STYLE?
Ok, so
there are a few of my many tips, but I don't want to bore you..
So if
you're still not happy, then as little as 30 minutes and a £60 investment,
could get you the headshot you've always wanted, so I'm here if you need
me! (and yes, I do airbrush... Phew!)
Good luck! Heather x
