Do You Really Need Professional Shots?
For your business, your side hustles, your social media...?
Recently I was gifted a photo session with a professional photographer. A friend of mine who (follows my work) and I were discussing the importance of branding and image. I shared with her that I’d never had professional head shots done for work and that I felt that was important to do. I was thinking…at some point I’d get them done. You know, after I grew out my hair a little more, lost twenty pounds, picked up a few more clients to offset the costs.
But my friend surprised me.
She purchased a package for me. And with that professional photo shoot I was able to get five nice photos of myself to use for books, social media, my porfolio, websites, and more. In my opinion, this was a priceless gift in support of my business.
Do You Really Need Professional Photos?
In my opinion, yes. But I thought I’d do a little research on it to support my own theory—that professional head shots or photos are critical to develop your branding and present a winable, memorable, and brand-supportive image for you, professionally.
Are Professional Head Shots Worth it?
Yes, and here’s why.
Some research suggests a tenth of a second is all it takes to start determining traits like trustworthiness.—Deta Silbert, First Impressions & the 7/11 rule
🟩 Professional headshots give you the competitive edge. Capture the eyes of recruiters on LinkedIn, for example, by showing your winningest image.
🟩 Professional head shots or photos help you create the first impression that you want.
🟩 Having your photos done by a professional shows that you value yourself and are willing to invest in yourself. (If you won’t invest in yourself—how can you ask others to do so?)
🟩 “Corporate headshots build trust” says Forbes.
And one other perk is something you likely haven’t hought of—utilizing a local photography business gives you a great chance to support local art while building local connections for your own business. Can you use AI to generate them? Of course, but why not support local artists instead?
How Did My Photos Turn Out?
My pictures turned out great! I thought I’d share my professional photos here, with you, my newsletter audience, before I share them anyplace else.
Well, besides my inner circle people, of course.
Any of these shots can be edited for a head shot, or I can use them in their entirety—on my social media or in one of my books, as examples—to demonstrate what my business and personal brand as a writer are all about. I wanted something earthy, yet fun. Here are the five pictures (of the dozens she sent me) that I selected for my final package. I’d love to know your favorites.
Photos courtesy of Nice Catch Photography
That’s all for now,
Christina M. Ward
I've never thought about getting professional head shots. I had my son take a bunch of promo pictures for me when I was working in newspapers and they turned out really nice. He had a great SLR camera.
Yours here are wonderful but if I had to choose, it would be Number 5 for me. It looks the most 'authorly' and professional, yet quite lovely.
Beautiful.