The tick boxes your profile picture needs to meet
What difference does a good headshot really make?
A good headshot helps you look more approachable
The best way to answer this, is to do a quick scroll through your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn. Look at the headshot photographs of your friends, acquaintances and contacts.
The results are fascinating.
Do a tally. How many of these faux pas do you see?
Image is of others – children or pets
Image is of them, but with friends/partner
Image is of them, but they are clearly at a party
Image is of them, but they are clearly hugging someone
Image is of them, but with a strange filter
Image is of them, but they are looking away (OK guilty for some of mine, so let’s say, so that you really can’t see their face too well).
Image is too dark, too light, too red, taken in a dark atmosphere
Image is so small/full body you can’t identify them
Image is of them, but with something not so professional, a Dalek, for example!
Image is not of them at all – instead it’s a picture of a landscape, a logo, a piece of art
Ideally a headshot would have you looking at the camera
10 Tips for a really good Profile Picture
All that is fine, depending on what you use your profile for. But in today’s online business world, anyone employing you as a professional, is probably going to have a nosey around your online profile, so you want to make sure what they see is how you want to present yourself. Think about these things:
Keep your profile photo up to date – you may love your image from 10 years ago but as much as we wish it represented us today, people are probably going to be surprised when they meet you. You want to build trust so you want your image to represent you as you are now.
Have a well-lit image – not too bright, not too dark
Have a plain background or blurred background
Definitely BE in the image
Make it just you, not you and the kids, the boyfriend, the dog or the Dalek
Make sure the image is in focus – without red eye
Ensure it’s a headshot (head and shoulders) – not a full body, which makes your face too tiny to be identifiable.
Consider using your brand colours either in clothing or in background
Be professionally groomed – whatever that means for you! At least, brush your hair. At most, a hair and make-up artist really elevates a profile picture
Get a professional photographer to take the image! They will nail the lighting, the pose, the background, the grooming and you will have a great result without having to think about it!
Obviously, there are times when a more mysterious image is appropriate – perhaps you are an artist, a filmmaker or something else and want to make a creative statement. You may make the decision to have a headshot that is not actually a headshot. But, think again.
A plain or blurred background helps you stand out in a headshot photograph
Why you should have a good Profile Picture
A headshot is a great way to create harmony and visibility across profiles from LinkedIn to Facebook and it makes it easy for clients to find you.
People respond well to faces. And the more they see your face, the more familiar you become and the more likely they are to reach out to you.
From a psychology point of view, a good headshot helps to build trust and approachability.
It helps you to stand out in a competitive market. Sometimes clients make decisions in an arbitrary way – and if yours is the good headshot as opposed to a picture of a banana, say, they will feel more inclined to reach out to you first.
If they can relate to you and the way you look, they will be more keen to work with you.
But more than any of this, a good headshot is a great way to help you build your confidence, in your offer, in getting yourself out in front of people and to help with your own visibility.
a professional photographer helps you nail posing, lighting and expression
So, are you ready to take the plunge?
I have three headshot packages, each includes the photo session and a credit towards your images. The cheapest package will get you two images.
Premium Personal Branding
The Premium Personal Branding Photo Shoot is a complete shoot, inside, outside, in studio or on location with hair and make-up and several outfit changes. You will walk away with enough social media content to fill your feed for a year. This Personal Branding Session is £1,000 +VAT including a £1,000 credit towards images.
Classic Personal Branding
My Classic Personal Branding Session is £450 +VAT, but we still pack plenty in, including hair and make-up, and get you as many images as we can in 2-3 hours. Includes a £450 credit towards images.
Mini Headshot Photo Shoot
If your budget or your needs don’t quite stretch that far, then I offer a 45-minute Mini Headshot Photo Shoot in studio or on location for £300 +VAT including a £300 credit towards images. This does not include hair or make-up but you can purchase this in addition at a cost of £150.
Images start at £150+VAT or collections are cheaper with 5 images at £700 + VAT.
a well-lit profile headshot image with the right toning is essential
Want to know more?
Book a consultation for a Personal Branding Headshot Shoot here.
Or visit my website page for Personal Branding and Headshots here
I am based in Epsom, Surrey, but cover London areas and in-between, plus shoots in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. More than 30-minute travel time includes an extra charge.Make this the year you up-level your social profile and pull in more clients.
ensure your profile headshot image is just of you - not you with others
