Head Shots - The most important part of your business is YOU
What’s the Most Important Part of Your Business?
I ask this a lot, especially every time I meet a new client. The answers that I get back vary from their product, to their brand, to their overall image. However, very few ever say ME! I’m the most important part of my business! "Me" is the right answer and it holds true 100% of the time, every time. Just think about it… every time you sell your product or your sales people put on a presentation you are actually selling yourself, are you not?
Headshots are so very important to your own image, as well as your company’s image. They portray a perception of professionalism, as well as confidence in yourself and your work.
Headshots should reflect you at your very best. It’s not a fashion show nor is it time to get into costume; wearing the latest fashion; getting into costume for a stage production or even getting into a pair of coveralls, because you work in the field. The costume is not what this is about; these take away from you.
Does it have to be black and white or color? Either is acceptable these days, traditionally they are black and white and after doing my own research on the subject, black and white are preferred by most. However, many say that black and white is simply unacceptable, out-dated and that color should be the industry standard. I guess it will be up to you and how you want to portray yourself. Most photographers including ourselves will take headshots in color and convert them to black and white in post production. So why not get them both and then decide what works better if it’s your first time having your headshot taken?
Is there more than one type of headshot? In today’s business market there is a new buzz word daily for things, even head shots. Here’s how we at Hot Shoe would break it down for you. Black and white headshots, and color headshots we have already talked about. One more that form that has a great impact for advertising is called the "Environmental headshot", where the background instead of just being a solid color or a grey scale would be taken in a setting conducive of portraying an important point about your environment; for instance a farmer in a field or a lawyer in his office. However we feel this style can take away from what the headshots’ importance is and that’s you. If you want something like this for your marketing they are great to use, but we would recommend a portrait NOT a head shot for that type of use. Yes, technically you should have both, call us today.
Finally, the question people always ask themselves, should I get a professional photographer to take my head shot? Can’t I just do it myself? I have a GREAT camera! You can guess my answer to this even before I start, so I’m not going to spend too much time on this question. Get it done professionally, the camera is truly 1/10th of what makes an outstanding shot. My personal success with headshots started years ago when I was selling real estate and I never saw the success I had with photos I took of myself back then.
Head shot prices can range significantly from one photographer to another, but look into it more as many have packages that include different things. Some include prints, some have makeup artists on site to assist you, and some will send your photos off to a professional editor. Weigh your options and pick someone who is right for you and you budget. You will want a headshot to last you a few years, BUT take them more often than not. REALTORS I'M TALKING TO JUST YOU NOW, so many times I see real estate ads with realtors pictures on them that are soo out-dated. I worked in the industry for a decade and in an office of over 130 agents. I’d meet an agent at their listing to go over an offer and I’d think to myself … “why did she send her mother??”… That’s right the photo on her card was so old I thought she'd sent her mother. This happens a lot in real estate and I’m not sure why, but it does. Get new photos done once every few years, if not every year. It is important to be recognized and recognizable to your newer clients. No more hiding. If you’re not doing this properly it should not just be part of your marketing plan for this year, but your business plan as well.
Of course here at Hot Shoe Studio we have many more tips to get the perfect headshot and not only that, but how to utilize these shots to their full potential once you have them. Every solid business and marketing plan starts with you and your being at your best and looking your best, allowing you to put your best foot forward. Discover the power of a professional head shot and let's increase your productivity and net worth together. Call us today for a free consultation.
Photos are tools, and there is a different type of tool for every job. Portraits are a type of tool. Just like a saw or drill are different types of tools. Have you ever tried drilling through concrete with a hand drill or building a desk with a chain saw? Get the right tools for the job. The right photos can make or break a person’s perception of you and your marketing campaign. Call us today we will gladly sit down with you.
