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!
In this day and age, pictures are everywhere. You may be one of the millions of people who take pictures every single day as you go through life – that camera in your pocket (which also happens to have other functions like making calls and sending texts) is always easy accessible and ready to snap a new image.
It’s perhaps more important than ever before to draw a distinct line between general photography and professional photography. There isn’t anything wrong with people taking their own pictures, of course – those types of pictures are a great way to grab memories of day to day life. But they aren’t going to rise to the level of quality that is delivered when a professional is behind the camera.
This discussion comes around to relate to the headshots that you use in your professional life. As you are in the habit of taking pictures already, you might think that you can just snap a selfie and use that for a headshot on LinkedIn, in advertisements, on your resume, and more. However, professional headshots are simply a better way to go, as they present you in an elevated, respectable light that may open up new opportunities.
Let’s take a closer look below at the value of professional headshots. Of course, if you are ready to get started with a professional headshot photographer now, just take a moment to contact me and we’ll schedule a session!
What You Need to Know About Professional Headshots
The most important thing to know about professional headshots is that they are one of your best ways to make a strong first impression in the digital age. That first impression used to be made in person a generation or two ago, but times have changed – now, people often “meet” you first online, and the headshot you use to represent yourself is going to have a lot to do with how you are perceived.
For professionals in nearly every industry, it is necessary to have some form of online presence. Whether it’s a website, a social profile, or something else entirely, you’ll want to attach an image to that presence – and a professional-quality photo that leaves you looking your best is the ideal thing to put out into the world.
What to Wear for Your Professional Headshots
It would be easy to assume that what you wear for your session with a professional headshot photographer wouldn’t matter – these are just headshots, right? What difference does it make what you wear?
If you take a moment to look at my portfolio images, however, you’ll quickly see that the clothing of my many clients does show in the images. Depending on the specific image, the shoulders of the subject are typically visible, and it’s possible to take a headshot that includes most of the upper body.
So, with that in mind, your attire does matter for this project. But that doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to dress up in something fancy – although you might want to. The key is that you want to dress in a way that is consistent with how you would like to be perceived. That might mean that you want to look buttoned up and professional, or it might mean that you want to come across as more relaxed and approachable. You know your personal brand best, so think about what kinds of attire would make sense in this application. Most likely, the kinds of clothes that you wear throughout your work days will make for a good choice.
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!
How to Pose for Professional Headshots
Without a doubt, the biggest point of hesitancy for my clients when having professional headshots taken relates to the act of posing. Many people simply don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera and they don’t feel like they’ll be able to make the right face for the session. I can tell you now, through experience, that you have nothing to worry about.
I make it a point to make all of my clients feel comfortable throughout their headshot session. You won’t feel like you are ‘acting’ at all – it will just be a fun, natural process that will leave us with images that properly represent your look. Getting professional headshots taken might be a big step in your career but it doesn’t have to be a stressful, anxious process. Put your trust in me and look forward to enjoying the session from start to finish.
Choosing the Right Backdrop for Your Professional Headshots
Just like your attire for professional headshots matters, so too does the background that you select for the pictures. There are a couple of general categories to consider for backgrounds. First, you could have the pictures taken in a controlled, studio environment, such as the one I have available for my clients. That’s a classic option and will certainly lead to quality images.
On the other hand, you might opt for professional headshots that are taken at one of the many beautiful locations around San Jose. This can be good for a professional who wants to be seen as someone who is out and involved with the community. A real estate agent, for example, may opt to go in this direction. I’ll work closely with you to help you make a smart choice for your backdrop so you will love the pictures and what they say about you.
Preparing for Your Professional Headshot Session
There isn’t a lot that you have to do before taking professional headshots, but there are a few simple things you should put on your to-do list. For one thing, consider what you’ll be doing with your hair – if you need a haircut before the professional headshots are taken, schedule that for at least a few days before the session, so the cut has time to grow back in a bit and any issues can be addressed.
Also, you’ll want to plan out what you are going to wear, and make sure you have time available in your schedule to not have to rush through the session. It’s a good idea to make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before, so your eyes don’t look tired in the pictures, and do your best to stay well-hydrated in the days leading up, as that will have a positive impact on your skin.
Benefits of Choosing Our San Jose Professional Headshot Services
So, why should you choose me for your professional headshots over the competition in the San Jose area? First and foremost, it comes down to experience – I’ve taken countless professional headshots for many previous clients and I will bring all of that accumulated knowledge and ability to this project.
Many of my clients have also commented on how my personal attention to the project has made their professional headshots come out better than they ever expected. I take on each new job as an important challenge and won’t overlook even the smallest of details. I’m invested in the success of the photo session and that passion will show up in the finished product.
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!
