Why Headshots Are A Must For Professionals  

• Have you ever heard from your friend or a colleague that you do not come across as very professional? 
• Are you looking for a job or switching careers? 
• Do you want to boost your brand?

If you answered yes, then this blog is for you. Below, we look at the importance of headshots and why professionals across all industries have one. 

If 2020 has taught us one thing, it is the importance of digital tools. While the digital world was already taking over the reins of how we function, the pandemic has given it a boost. If you’re a working professional, it is an unsaid rule that you should have an online presence. An online presence not only gives you a professional feel but also boosts your brand. 

It’s no surprise then that top executives meticulously plan their brand. However, It’s a growing trend these days that professionals at all levels need a strong personal brand and an active digital life. 

An essential to building your professional online presence is a professional headshot. The first thing that anyone accessing your profile comes across is your photo. While ideally, we should not judge a book by its cover, we’re all guilty of doing so. Chances are that the person viewing your profile has not met you, and they are trying to understand who you are by looking at your profile picture. They’re trying to figure out your identity by the look and feel of that one photo.

That one photo decides whether you get that job or if they want to connect to talk business with you. You do not get a second chance at a first impression, and rightly so. It then is imperative that you make the most out of that one chance. 

But, what exactly is a headshot?  

A Headshot is a photograph that focuses on the person (Usually the upper half of the body). While it may sound similar to a portrait, the difference between the two is that a headshot is a professional representation of the subject while a portrait is an artistic representation. 

Headshots are intended to be used in your resume, LinkedIn Profile, About section on your website, or any other professional platform.

Do Selfies work instead of a Headshot?

While you may be inclined to not go through the usual process of hiring a photographer for your headshot, and instead choose to use a selfie, we would strongly advise against it. There is a reason why the people you admire in the industry use proper headshots. Headshots convey respectability and are serious, even if you smile at them. And selfies are anything but that. Imagine Jeff Bezos using a selfie as his profile photo on Amazon’s website. Not befitting a leader, right? If you want to be taken seriously, invest in a good headshot. 

Can you ask a friend to take your headshots?

While asking your friend to take your headshot sounds appealing, it might not be a great idea unless your friend has advanced photography and editing skills. People hire a professional photographer for a reason. 

Imagine cooking. Even if you have the recipe with all the instructions, you cannot compete with a chef. 

Photographers have years of experience in their trade. Even photographers hire other photographers to take their headshots! Hiring a professional photographer does not necessarily have to break your bank either, Holidaygrapher provides pro photographers at ridiculous rates. Check out the packages on the website or send an email to info@holidaygrapher.com to know more.  

Why Headshots now?

There are a lot of reasons to get a headshot, but the most important one is to portray your professionalism. People are guilty of judging a book by its cover. You get judged based on your appearance. It is backed by science. Psychologists have studied the concept of Thin Slicing which says that people form an opinion on you within seconds of looking at your photo/meeting you. They decide your social status, economic status, and a lot of other information simply in the first few minutes. Your headshot provides information about your identity before they even meet you. 

When potential partner’s/employers are looking at your LinkedIn profile or your website, the first thing they look at is your picture and you want to show them up front who you are - Trustworthy & professional. Your photo should reflect those values. That is where a professional photographer provides the most value. They understand how each person should come across in their photo. For example, an actor’s headshot would be very different from a software engineer’s. Your photo conveys who you are. 

A Headshot also boosts your brand. Even if you are not photogenic, your Holidaygrapher Photographer is trained to make you feel comfortable during the process, which would result in some amazing photos. In an age when a lot of networking happens online, you need to be at the top of your game with a good headshot. 

As the economy starts to pick itself up, a lot of people are changing their careers and redefining what they want out of their life. Getting a proper headshot would be a good start. 

Here are some tips from ShootMe before you get your headshot:

1. Getting a headshot once every few years ensures that people know what you look like now rather than years ago. 

2. If you are getting a headshot to upload on your LinkedIn profile, you can look left so that you are looking at your profile. 

3. Before the headshot, make sure you talk to the photographer about the dress you would be wearing. You should also inform your expectations and your background story, so the photographer can work beforehand on how best to bring out your story in your photos. Take recommendations on the required makeup. (PS - Holidaygrapher Photographers are already trained to carry out these tasks) 

4.Get a good night’s sleep before the shoot day. Your eyes are crucial in conveying your story. Make sure they and your body are well-rested. 

You feel good when you look good. So, when are you getting your next headshot? 

Side Note - We feel the pain of the people who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. If you are one of them and are looking to enter the job market and/or rebrand yourself, Holidaygrapher would be glad to help you out in any way we can. We would be happy to provide you exclusive discounts when you book a Holidaygrapher Photographer for your headshot. Simply send an email and we’ll take care of the rest.