Is the traditional corporate headshot dead?
All professionals know, they need a headshot. They reluctantly get in front of the camera, all dressed up, stand up straight and smile. Or that’s how it used to be. You used to be able to call a photographer, show up in the studio, smile, then you were done. Some people are even still using that method, or using the same photo they took at the beginning of their career 15–20 years ago.
The world evolves, and so does the visual need. Do you still need a headshot for your linked-in profile? Yes absolutely! But it shouldn’t be traditional. If all you need is a headshot, then listen up!
Traditional corporate headshots could just as well be a blur
When things get overdone, we get used to it, and our brains skip over it. There is nothing exciting about a headshot. They are not fun to look at, all we are looking at is how asymmetric someone’s face is. I have heard business owners tell me their consultants recommend no photos on their website. This seems to be a popular view today. The theory is that they don’t want to be judged by the way they look. I highly disagree. My business consultant would’ve been fired on the spot for that advice. But then again, I’m a photographer, I’m bound to disagree. If you are that consultant, listen up!
No photos are even worse
If the only photo you had was a traditional corporate headshot, then keep it. At least it’s something. I listened to the no photo argument. No photos on your website, or of you, prevents people from judging you by your look. Dear consultant, you are completely missing the point! First off, if I got a resume with a professional headshot on it, I would see that this person cares, they go the extra mile, and they are meticulous. If you are being judged by the way you look, the color of your skin, the amount of hair on your head or up your nose. You don’t want that client, and you don’t want to work for that person anyway!
Photos are about connection
A beautifully done photo of you smiling into the camera, with direct eye contact, builds connection. A stiff photo with a fake smile, not so much. You have to be engaging. The good news is, this one is not on you. An experienced photographer will help you achieve this. We are experts in body language and silly jokes. And if all else fails, and you don’t think I’m funny at all, I have tricks to make your fake smile look real. And no, it is not photoshop!
Not everyone should smile in their photo
If you are a grief counselor, a big grin in your photo is not appropriate. Or any other profession where you deal with difficult and delicate matters. This is why it is important to communicate with your photographer. Tell them, what you do, why you do it, and what you are looking to achieve. I promise, we will listen (unless you go to uncle Joe who has a nice camera, he has no clue how to achieve this).
Why professional photos over camera photos, or photos by someone just starting out
Ask yourself. How do you want to portray yourself? Do you want to seem like someone who cuts corners? Or seems sloppy? That old overused saying, “a picture is worth a thousand word” is very valid. If you are just getting out of school and looking to get hired, a vacation photo from spring break is not going to cut it. A poorly lit photo taken by that person just starting out only charging $50 for 100 photos, is not going to cut it either. You see, the person you are looking to impress, whether it is a future employer or a client, they are smart. They can see, if you don’t put the effort into yourself, you are not going to put the effort into your work. It’s all about a great first impression.
What about photos looking away from the camera?
I personally am a huge fan. I give my clients at least one of those. They are candid and natural. That notion of everyone having to look into the camera is an old one. Yes, you need at least one of those, they have a great impact. But natural lifestyle photos are really what you need today. Remember when I said that photos are all about building a connection. That’s what lifestyle photos do. They tell a story. Marketers and body language experts have said for decades; the best way to get someone to listen to your point of view, is through a story. I’m not quite sure where things went wrong when we tried to sell a burger with a sexy girl rubbing herself all over a car while eating a sloppy burger. That’s simply offending our intelligence.
Things are different, the competition is fierce
When my husband started a business 15-ish years ago, he got immediate traffic through advertising in the phone book and purchasing google ads for cheap. Photographers that started 6–8 years ago, only needed a Facebook page. Organic reach was amazing back then. Word of mouth, networking, joining the local chamber, all of that worked (they still work, just not the only method).
Today, it’s not that simple. Almost every niche is saturated. You have oldies teaching you how they rose up, with old techniques that are obsolete today. I took a marketing class from a photographer who built her business up 20 years ago. She got me on the right path of learning marketing 101, but that was it. All other techniques were outdated. Things have changed. If you are going to succeed, standing out is a must. You can’t be like everyone else. Why would a client go with you, over the 10 others offering the same service? You become a commodity. Then it becomes the race of who can offer their service the cheapest. The bank is happy to take your house if you go that route. Invest in what you are worth. Stand out through personal branding. Open your mind up to new ideas, new ways, and through storytelling.
I am always happy to help, if you need assistance finding a photographer in your area, shoot me an email vala@personalbrandingtog.com
