Do you really need professional business headshots? Your first answer might be “no”, but:
- Do you have a website? Does it include a bit about you (a biography)?
- Do you publish a blog?
- Do you or will you ever issue press releases?
- Does your company have a newsletter?
- Do you ever write articles for your trade magazine?
- Or have them written about you?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, a professional portrait may be a good investment, and the good news is it doesn’t have to be a really expensive one.
How many times have you visited a faceless website? And yet potential customers still want to connect with real people. Who you are, what you do, your story and what makes you different are still incredibly important, but people still like to see what you look like! People still do look for an emotional connection – a person they feel they can get on with and do business with.
We all lead busy lives, and standing out in the crowd is becoming harder and harder. We are literally swamped with information, be that in newspapers, from TV, from the internet, whilst commuting to work, at trade shows, at meetings. In fact sometimes it all feels very anonymous.
A professional portrait is an important tool in your branding toolbox. No matter how small or big your company, it’s an essential part of your business identity, enabling you to stand out from the crowd.
Having your photograph on your marketing materials gives you the opportunity to sell yourself.
Now, your business may depend upon more than selling yourself, but any time you connect your name and business with a pleasing professional image of you, the association will have a positive impact on your customer’s perceptions. As human beings, we remember what we see as much as ten times longer than something we hear. There is no substitute for visual presentation for an immediate and lasting impact.
So if you want to change or improve your position in your marketplace, an up-to-date portrait is a great place to start. So ask yourself again: Do you need a professional business portrait? If the answer is now “yes,’ here are some things to avoid:
- Don’t take a photo of yourself in a mirror with a mobile phone.
- Don’t use a passport photo.
- Or opt for a standard mug shot of you stood by a wall with unflattering lighting coming from on camera flash.
- Do not scan a print.
- Don’t cut your face out of a group shot.
All of these send the message that you couldn’t be bothered to invest in a professional-looking image, which reduces your credibility. Ideally, the image used in professional representation should at least match the professionalism of the business or industry represented.
About the photographer: Sue is a professional portrait photographer based in Harlow, Essex and whilst she specialises in baby and child portraiture, she can also photograph your business portrait. Years of working with children has prepared her for working with grown-ups too! To book please call 01279 433392. Or you can visit the Sue Kennedy Photography website.
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