Who needs a headshot and why it is important for your career?

Headshots

Sep 1

In a world that is increasingly focused on digital, your professional image is frequently the first thing people see (near) wherever you go - LinkedIn, company website, social media, etc. Having a well-done headshot makes an incredible first impression because you can represent professionalism, competence and approachability. So, who actually needs a headshot? You might be surprised by the answer. Whether you are a corporate executive, entrepreneur, actor or just a person building a personal brand, you will want a professional headshot to create the right first impression.

In this article, we will take a closer look at why headshots are important for you no matter your industry, what to look for when booking a headshot, and how this one simple investment can change your personal or professional brand forever. From Brooklyn to Staten Island and everywhere in between, professional head shots are at an all-time high.

Professionals who need a headshot

Your headshot serves as representation of you within the barrage of humanity through a professional lens. Oftentimes it will talk for you before you have the chance to introduce yourself. A great headshot will open the door to new opportunities whether you are a corporate executive or a freelance professional. Below are key professionals who need to utilize a headshot:

1. Corporate Executives & Employees

If you are being professionally developed, or you want to build your professional brand, then having a professional headshot will be an essential piece to building a presence, ultimately branding yourself. For executives, a professional image is incredibly important to convey a leadership position, expertise in the field, and build trust. In fact, studies conducted by Linkedin show that you will get 14x more profile views and 36x more profile messages on LinkedIn if you have a professional photo in your profile! Job seekers also need a good headshot, as 86% of recruiters admitted to using LinkedIn to evaluate a candidate's profile before reaching out to them.

2. Entrepreneurs & Freelance Professionals

Entrepreneurs and freelancers rely heavily on their personal brand and often need to interview for a client or contract position. A professional headshot can help position you as an authority in your field. In an overwhelming market, having a professional image can demonstrate to potential clients that you are believed in your career. For example, a freelance graphic designer who lives in Brooklyn shared that after professional headshot was taken and a higher quality profile picture updated on their profile, they ended up seeing a 20% increase in inquiries from future clients. The headshot brought attention to their profile and established the designer as someone with professionalism to attract long-term, higher paying clients.

3. Small Business Owners

Small business owners are exempt; they are the face of their brand. Small business owners need to always have a professional headshot that represents their business values. A professional headshot is a useful marketing tool that is appropriate to use in a variety of marketing pieces including marketing materials, web pages, and press releases. But make sure that you have a high quality head shot; it is a business's first line of trust for potential customers. Potential clients, for instance, want to know who they are working with. By having a professional headshot that demonstrates itself as a professional brand or business, you can quickly gather trust from potential clients.

Creative Industries: Actors, Models, and Artists

In the creative world of actors, models, and artists, the headshot is often make-or-break It's probably the most importance marketing tool for a fair majority of the people we photograph. It needs to be up to date, converted properly for casting directories, and in the entertainment field, it still needs to look like YOU.

1. Actors

The headshot for working actors is often the only chance they may have to make an impression at all on a casting director they are trying to get to notice them. In most cases, it is not always about having the perfect appearance in the photo, but about taking advantage of the lights and angles to help express their unique differences from their competition in a way that gets them into a casting office. In the acting field, there are two types of headshots: commercial and theatrical. The commercial shot is typically shot with your primary look, should be a bright photo and is most often used for open postings such as TV commercials or mainstream film auditions. The background is often subdued or pure white on composite sheets, but you never know what color or what medium the photo could be printed on. Theatrical headshots tend to be more dramatic, often using more intense shadows to help frame the face. They are often shot in natural light to achieve more vivid emotion projecting from the face, and are more likely to be used for serious roles on screen, or stage and often have a actual photo detail on the backside, typically.

2. Models

Every model needs headshots. Regardless of whether you are just starting out or have been working for a long time, you need a headshot to be able to submit yourself to an agency or clients to book a job. Unhappy, out of date headshots won't work for the clients too tired of seeing photos that don't clearly show what you look like, in fact one survey of casting directors and other entertainment professionals indicated that 85% of respondents said they don't even open an attached CV or resume if the headshot isn't good enough to impress them. The work that makes the photographer a professional headshot photographer is about making photos that show exactly how you look at your best AND show enough of your personality to make the viewer wanting more of it.

3. Visual Artists & Performers

Some people don't always simply rely on their looks to make a living in the creative arts such as artist, photographers, graphic designs or anyone else that is tangentially involved in the industry, should have the proper "hands off" photo for clients that visit their websites, potential galleries that will represent their paintings, or when you're asking for a grant from a potential funder. A friend of mine told me that when you apply for an art grant, the majority of votes approving your request is a digital picture of you taken professionally. Productions companies and select galleries when in the process of deciding on what artist they should represent or include as one of an art book, will start to look at a sampling of body of work, but honestly, it usually about the quality of headshot they get to visually put a face to all the creativity.

Headshots for Personal Branding & Social Media

Personal brands are invaluable in today's connected world. Your headshot makes a difference if you are a social media influencer, blogger, or just looking to be perceived as professional.

1. LinkedIn and Professional Networks

All professionals should take a quality headshot for their LinkedIn profile, which is one of the top sites on the internet for business networking. A professional photo receive up to 14x more profile views than a profile without one. A top-notch headshot will increase your chances of connecting & engaging, and you'll be taken more seriously. You can check out a professional headshots portfolio here.

2. Social Media Influencers

As a social media influencer, it is very likely that when people first see you, they will see your headshot first. It could be on your Instagram profile, Facebook page, or on your YouTube channel. Establishing a good and decent quality headshot is important in establishing a recognizable personal brand. Both your attitude and a well executed headshot increases engagement and trust with your followers.

3. Bloggers and Public Figures

Bloggers and public figures who would like to establish a reputation based on a defined personal brand identity, should invest in a professional headshot. Whether the content is for a personal blog or for a contributing site, having an updated headshot, generates more initial credibility, but also represents an integral part of building your personal brand. It helps establish credibility, in presenting a cohesive personal identity in multiple platforms.

Just a few things to look for in a photographer when deciding on headshots

Consider these factors:

1. Style and Experience

Examine the photographer's portfolio before making an arrangement for a session. Ensure that there is versatility and that the material reflects the stylization that makes sense to you. Certain photographers excel at creating business headshot photographs, while others are more skilled at producing creative or actor headshots. You want a photographer that understands the nuances of your industry.

2. Technical Aspects

Lighting, resolution, and framing together create a successful headshot. When you are searching for photographers, consider only those who have professional gear to give you the highest degree of photos. You will also want to find a photographer who understands the difference between natural light and studio light arrangements so that your headshot has the necessary look and feel.

3. Studio versus Outdoor

You should think about whether you want a controlled studio setting or the lazy natural light with the overall feeling of being outside. There are pros and cons to each style of environment. Studio sessions give you more control over lighting and back drop possibilities, while doing an outdoor shot gives an overall casual touch with a dynamic vibe.

Conclusion

Today’s world is image-oriented, and headshots are more than pictures of yourself. You can be an entrepreneur working on developing your personal brand, an actor who wants to look amazing in a photo before the audition, or an executive ready to update your LinkedIn profile; headshots that are high quality are essential. Getting a photographer who does high-resolution photography using well-composed photos ideally puts you in a wonderful place of success. Headshots are, in fact, an investment into your career, reputation, and future opportunities, not just a headshot of yourself.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.Should I get a headshot? YES! your headshot is critical for establishing the strongest first impression in your industry, as it relates to you as a professional, so definitely go for it. This goes for people in corporate, creative, or personal brand spaces.

2.When should I update my headshot? Schedule headshots every 1-2 years, or when you make a substantial update to your appearance (e.g., haircut, weight changes, changing your hair color, etc.).

3.Can I use my headshot on my website and social media?

Without a doubt...yes!, go ahead and use your headshot on all digital platforms, from social media to your website and online portfolios.

4.What type of clothing should I wear for a headshot?

Dress professionally or wear neutral color palettes that adhere to your industry. Also want avoid busy patterned clothing, bright colors, or logos on clothing that take attention away from your face.

5.What does a commercial vs. theatrical headshot look like? Commercial headshots are often brighter and more approachable, vs theatrical headshot which are moodier... as it is often only used by actors looking to display their dramatic range.

Who needs a headshot and why it is important for your career?

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