Professional Headshots: Capture Your Best Self
Make your first impression a great one
Ready to book a session?
or have a question?
✉ photo@paulstreit.com
Click my email address, it will open an email on your computer / phone – click the phone # button to call me from your phone)
My guarantee – if you’re not satisfied with your headshots, I’ll reshoot your session at no charge!
When you first get started in your career, you are likely focused on the basics of just getting a job, doing that job properly, and forming relationships that will help you move forward. Early on, it’s hard to see the bigger picture, as you are just trying to figure out what you need to do to keep your employer – or clients – happy.
Over time, however, you start to see things from a different perspective. Eventually, you figure out that actively promoting yourself in a variety of ways – such as by using professional headshots – can be an important tool in the development process. On this page, I’d like to give you a full rundown of what professional headshots are, why they matter so much, and how you can leverage them to benefit your career.
When you are ready to get started with a professional headshots, or when you have some questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I would love to answer your questions, explain how we can work together to create beautiful headshots, and much more. I’m always just a phone call away!
What You Need to Know About Professional Headshots
It’s best to think about headshots not just as pictures, but rather as a visual representation of your brand. This is how they will be seen by people who are interacting with your brand for the first time – they will be an important introduction that sets the tone for what is going to come next.
If you aren’t sure that you actually need professional headshots, just stop for a moment to think about how many different places you use pictures to promote yourself or your business. You probably have a website of some kind, a LinkedIn profile, other social media accounts, perhaps some printed marketing materials, and more. Using professional images for these purposes, rather than casual shots taken on your phone, can go a long way toward getting the results you desire.
One other thing to keep in mind related to your professional headshots is that you don’t just want to look good, but you want to look right for the audience you are trying to reach. That will mean different things for different people but never lose sight of your audience at any point along this process.
What to Wear for Your Professional Headshots
I have been taking business headshots for quite some time, and the one thing that surprises clients more than anything else is the importance of their outfits for a headshot session. Since we call these “headshots”, many people lose sight of the fact that more than their head is going to be in the frame. I guess “partial upper-body shots” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
So, yes, what you wear on your upper body is going to be visible in the shots, and you want to give some careful thought to these selections. My general recommendation is to pick things that a potential client, customer, or employer would see you wearing on a typical workday. In other words, it doesn’t make much sense to put on a fancy suit if you do most of your work in a T-shirt. Basically, you want to properly set expectations with these images, so people who do connect with you after seeing the pictures wind up meeting a person who closely matches what they saw originally in the headshot.
In terms of style, I would encourage you to opt for things that are more timeless than trendy. You don’t want to look back at your headshot a year from now and wish that you hadn’t put on a particular shirt or accessory. When in doubt, play it safe and subtle and save your bolder garment choices for days when you don’t have a photo session planned.
READY TO book a session?
or have a question?
✉ photo@paulstreit.com
Click my email address, it will open an email on your computer / phone – click the phone # button to call me from your phone)
My guarantee – if you’re not satisfied with your headshots, I’ll reshoot your session at no charge!
Posing Correctly for Great Headshots
As a photographer, I’m quite comfortable with being on either side of the camera, so sometimes I have to be reminded that not everyone shares that same level of comfort. If you are a little worried about having to pose for your professional headshots, don’t worry – it’s not as hard as you think and I’ll help you through the process.
For starters, there are a couple of things you can do right away to get great results. First, relax your shoulders, as the typical response is to get tight and pick the shoulders up toward the ears. While you are relaxing your shoulders, also make it a point to engage your eyes with the camera, just like you were looking at a person. Even if you did nothing else, these two steps would go a long way toward creating excellent headshots.
One other thing that you might want to practice a bit is a natural smile. You don’t really want to “over-smile”, but you do want to look happy and welcoming. Spend just a few minutes in front of a mirror a couple of days before your photo shoot to nail this look.
Picking the Right Backdrop is an Important Key
There is no one ideal backdrop or setting that will work perfectly for all professional headshots. In some cases, a neutral studio backdrop with a white or gray shade will work perfectly, while other projects will be better suited for an outdoor shoot. In other cases, it might make sense to have the pictures taken in your office, so you can present yourself as a busy professional who is in the middle of the action.
You might already have a clear image of what you would like your professional headshots to be like, or you may not have even the first idea of where you should go. Either way, I can help – I’ll be happy to talk about your vision, or lack thereof, so we can craft a plan that leads to excellent results.
Use These Steps to Prepare for Professional Headshots
Looking for a quick crash course on how you can get your own professional headshots taken in the near future? These three steps tell most of the story –
- First, schedule the session as soon as possible so you don’t have to rush to get ready for the shoot.
- A few days before the session, take care of any grooming matters that need to be handled, such as a haircut or skincare routine.
- The night before the shoot, be sure to get plenty of sleep so your eyes look rested and you are ready to be at your best.
The Benefits of Using My Services
I’d like to think that I have a lot to offer my clients during a headshot session, but I think above all else it’s my personalized approach that you will appreciate and enjoy. I’m not going to try to mold your session to match my other clients, because you are an individual and have your own needs, tastes, and preferences to consider. I’ll do my best to make sure the finished product is an accurate visual representation of you and your career.
Schedule Your Session Today
With so much to gain through the use of professional headshots, there is no reason to wait any longer to get started with this project. All you need to do is reach out either over the phone or through my site and we can start to plan this fun shoot. Before you know it, you’ll have a great marketing asset that can be used to drive your business forward for years to come!
Let’s Get Started Today
There is nothing intimidating about having professional headshots taken – especially not when you work with me on this fun project. You’ll love the results that you are left with, and you might find that the process is much more enjoyable than you expect. The first move is yours, so take a moment today to contact me and learn more about my headshot sessions. I can’t wait to hear from you!
