3 Reasons Why You May Need a Professional Headshot
by Cindy on April 2, 2013
Recently I decided to go for it and had professional headshots taken. What made me finally take the plunge, after so many years? Maybe to help prepare for my upcoming book. Maybe I was tired of scrambling around for a decent bio picture when needed. Another good reason was the blog redesign I am planning, and my About Me page is in dire need of an update. Everything I have been reading seems to support the need for professional headshots & I’d like to share my top 3 with you.
3 Reasons for a Professional Bio Photo
1. Blog/Website “About Me” page –
I read something the other week that really surprised me. A website About Me page is one of the most visited pages on your website/blog. This really makes sense when we stop to think about our natural desire to put a face to a name. In order to connect, we want to know who we are dealing with. We are meeting one another virtually, so a recent picture is a great first step in building an online relationship.
2. Publications
Many trade publications request a picture for your bio when your work is published. If you plan to write a book, it goes without saying that there will be a need for your picture as well for future publicity. Essentially your face is a part of your marketing package! Rather than scrambling for a recent picture that looks decent, it is a such a relief to have a professional picture readily available.
3. Branding
You are the heart of your business brand! Your headshot represents your brand, especially if you are using social media networking as a business activity. The bio picture you share is one of the first things that is seen on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, blog comments, and many other locations. What does it say about your brand?
I had a really great experience having my photos taken with an amazing photographer, Stephanie Dougher of Stephanie Dee Photography. Take a peek at Stephanie’s work, and you’ll see why I contacted her as soon as I decided to have headshots taken. As luck would have it, the day of my session turned out to be a bitter cold day (in between bouts of rain and snow!). I soon forgot about the weather though, as Stephanie was so fun and engaging. She put me at ease immediately; I didn’t feel incredibly self-conscious about having my picture taken. Let me share a few of my favorites from our session (and you can see her sweet post with more photos here).
If you are in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area, you’ll want to get on Stephanie’s calendar to have your headshots taken too. You can follow Stephanie on Twitter or on Facebook to see more beautiful photography. A great big THANK YOU to Stephanie – you rock! 🙂
{Now, what to wear for your headshot? Luckily I was able to change clothes during my shoot and I changed my jewelry. It’s all about the jewelry for us jewelry designers! I chose pieces that have a special meaning to me and picked a few of my favorites. In some of the shots, I wore a necklace that was featured in Diane Cook’s “With One Finding” challenge that was featured in Belle Armoire Jewelry (the write up here).}
The second necklace I chose featured a pastel mix of enameled beads by Barbara Lewis that I mixed with vintage jewelry components. This necklace was featured in the Bead Soup book (write up here).
Additional reading for you, if you’re like me and plan to update your About Me page in the near future:
Remember, you are what makes your site one-of-a-kind!
– Cindy, xoxo
Tagged as:
Business
Follow Me on Pinterest
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Well Miss Cindy your photographer had an easy job…. You are abso gorgeous
…I love how your shots turned out …. I think the last one is my fave…. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful information….take care xox
So many great shots to choose from! Love the one in front of your mannequin. Thanks for the helpful links too and that Oscar Wilde quote is one of my favorites!
Can’t wait to see your book!
All fantastic reasons to have a professional headshot–especially for the upcoming book. You look beautiful and I love your hair! That’s exactly how I’ve wanted mine to look but can’t seem to manage. Both necklaces are gorgeous, too. My fav photo is the one of you in the studio. Also a wonderful photo of your little man.
Great advice, Cindy! Worth a serious ponder. You’ve got so many beautiful photos to choose from here. Any would be a wonderful addition to your blog, book, or branding.
Really great post – so helpful!
You always provide much food for thought, Cindy. I appreciate all your links; I’ll have lots of helpful advice to refer to when I am ready to take that next step. Your photographer seems to have done a great job presenting your professionalism, but personalized with a welcome sprinkle of playfulness. I’m sure you feel your session was a very worthwhile investment indeed! Best of luck with your book. ?
You always provide much food for thought, Cindy. I appreciate all your links; I’ll have lots of helpful advice to refer to when I am ready to take that next step. Your photographer seems to have done a great job presenting your professionalism, but personalized with a welcome sprinkle of playfulness. I’m sure you feel your session was a very worthwhile investment indeed! Best of luck with your book.
Oops, I seem to have posted twice, Cindy… you can delete the first one, I was TRYING to edit. Sorry!
Great photos, Cindy – especiallly the studio poses…now to choose!
Helpful advice/tips. I always look for the About Me page when I visit a new site. Your blog is always inviting ~ clean, simple layout, quick to navigate, no advertising, no hassle to leave comments, and of course, your fantastic photography.
They are all so awesome Cindy- it’s hard to choose. I really love the one in your studio with the dress form and your jewelry in the background. It has beautiful composition. The last photo with your son and the quote is a stunner too. I’m off to give those links your provided a quick read. Thanks for sharing them!
Oh Cindy those are all beautiful but I have to agree that the last one in your studio is my favorite, gives a glimpse of who you are and what you do. I really like the new do as well, you look great!
Cindy, I LOVE this!! And I LOVE that you still love your photos! Thank you for sharing your photos and your great advice, too. It’s so easy to overlook our about me pages but they really are just as crucial as the rest of our writing!
Oh Cindy, you look so good! Wow!
You are downright gorgeous. Photogenic too! I love the shots. I had my first professional headshot when I was just 40, almost 5 years ago! I still use it as I really do love the shot, but I am thinking that I need a new one taken. That is, if I ever get off my duff and put together that proposal. For now I am using some quick shots I took of myself (very hard to catch yourself off guard!). Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the day. Erin
Cindy, those are gorgeous photos of you! Not hard given your natural beauty. As always another thought provoking post. Really makes sense and so much better than passport photos that always look dorky no matter.
You are truly beautiful in every sense of the word, from your beautiful soul to your beautiful face! I hope you pick a smiling picture because you have smile that is drop dead gorgeous. I especially like the last one, too. Which one did you pick? Can’t wait to see both your book & blog redesign.
Well you are just too cute!!! Your photos came out wonderful!!! I have an aversion to getting my photo taken, especially a head shot (nothing else in the photo to divert the viewers attention). On the other hand I can see why it is necessary.
Your jewerlry is beautiful and I love the Oscar Wilde quote. Thanks for sharing!!!!