Headshots. Who needs them? Why are they so useful? And what makes a good Headshot?
We’re going to look at several reasons why Headshots are useful and also who can get the most out of having one.
But, first - what is a headshot?
A headshot is a photograph of a person, usually of the head and upper body, as the name suggests! I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons straight away and say that the Upix team prefers to call them Profile shots and we like to represent someone more accurately and creatively than with the traditional and ubiquitous head & shoulders image. But - more on that later - let’s stick to the head and shoulders option for now…
Let’s ask the question again. Headshots - who needs them? We all do! And here’s 5 good reasons why you should have one…
Professional: Headshots are a valuable tool for the promotion of your business, your brand, your personality and your teams and they’re essential for individuals looking to make a good first impression.
Versatile: A professional headshot is a powerful asset in today's digital age. It can be used on your personal & professional websites, social media profiles, official documents and IDs, and as part of your email ID and signature.
Memorable: The right profile photo shows you in the best light, reassuring the people who view it and making them more likely to connect with you. With so many people competing for attention, either personally or professionally, it's important to have a polished & professional photo that differentiates you from the others and ensures you're remembered.
Consistant: Having a consistant visual presence can help you stand out in a crowded online market. If you're an entrepreneur, or business professional, a polished headshot photo helps you look your best & presents a consistent image when you're sending out press releases, or promoting your products & services.
Personal: An effective headshot will clearly showcase your personality, capturing your unique features and making the best first impression. Whether you're looking to stand out at networking events, promote yourself on a professional platform, such as LinkedIn, highlight your key personnel, or simply attract new clients to your business, a professional headshot can help you showcase yourself and your business in the best light.
What makes a good headshot?
As previously mentioned, headshots are an invaluable tool for the promotion of your business, your personality, your brand and your teams. There are a variety of headshot options, and not everyone likes the same thing, so make sure you get the right professional to photograph you in the best way for you. And remember - an experienced headshot photographer pays attention to the details that make a big difference in your final image.
A good headshot should be well-lit, in focus (obviously!), and capture the person's unique personality. Whether you have a team of 1 or 100, each of those personalities should shine through in their own headshot, even if they're all presented in a uniform way. Let’s look at some headshot options a little more closely:
Corporate: In a corporate setting, the best option is usually to go with business dress and use muted colours to convey a serious and dependable character. If not using a traditional plain white background, the location should be appropriate to the business and its industry.
Relaxed: This option gives much more scope for representing the unique character and personality in the headshot. Again, attention to detail will ensure your final images represent you and your team in the very best light and a professional headshot portait photographer will have lots of ideas and advice to help put you and your team at ease to enjoy the photoshoot.
Styling: Perhaps you want a more quirky, or styled headshot set-up! An experienced headshot photographer will make sure they understand the overall look you want to achieve and how you want yourself and your business to be represented. NEVER be afraid to try something different!
Context: In today's sometimes homogenised online visuals, the Upix team likes to push the boundaries a little to promote you and your talents in the most effective way. Why settle for a head-&-shoulders shot when you could encapsulate both who you are and what you do in one engaging image.
Upix Photography has worked with a variety of different professionals: from an archeologist on the Jurassic coast, to a structural biologist at the Diamond Light Source - & too many others to mention - we’ve created some really out-of-the-box profile shots for them, and the client feedback has been incredible!
So - why use a professional headshot photographer?
Experience: An experienced headshot photographer will create a professional look and feel for your photoshoot. They’ll take the time to understand your goals and needs, and help you to create a headshot that accurately represents you and your professional or personal identity. With the resulting beautiful, high-quality images, you’re guaranteed to be portrayed in the very best light.
Technical know-how: talking of light!... A professional photographer will make sure you have a beautifully lit and well composed finished product that can be used in any format. Be sure to discuss your requirements with them and don’t forget to ask whatever questions you need to make sure you’re totally comfortable with the photoshoot plan.
Guidance: Professional photographers have a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to creating headshots. They can provide guidance on what to wear, the use of appropriate colours, suitable brand placement and effective poses: all important aspects of the photoshoot that you might not think about beforehand.
Confidence: A good headshot photographer is used to putting people at ease and they’ll make sure you feel safe and confident going into the session. Their main goal is ultimately to make sure you get the most out of the experience and that your headshot conveys the right message and impression.
Value: Whilst hiring a professional photographer for your headshots does involve an up front cost, they will save you time and money in the long run on the shoot itself. They take care of everything, from set-up to post-production, leaving you free to concentrate on presenting yourself in your best light. Plus, you can rest assured that the quality of the final images will be guaranteed to impress!
In conclusion, having a professional profile photo is an important investment for any individual or business. Not only does it help you make a great first impression, but it also makes you stand out from the rest, so it’s easier for people to recognise and connect with you. A well-crafted headshot showcases both your personality and your professionalism, and helps you to build a stronger personal brand.
Whichever style of headshot you want to explore, the Upix Photography team will LISTEN to fully understand your needs and we'll work to produce images that exceed expectations. If you need advice or guidance, we’ll walk you through the process and we'll communicate with you throughout the photoshoot to ensure that you're fully satisfied with the final results.