Until you find a good photographer, professional headshots will probably always seem sort of excruciating — not just the process, but also the result. The stilted poses and clenched smiles.
I have lots of these pictures. One of them, from the late ’90s, my sister-in-law Kim nicknamed “The Law Offices of Gina DeLapa.”
Fortunately, two years ago, I found a photographer who changed all of this. So as I prepare to go back to her tomorrow for an update, it occurs to me that if you don’t love your professional headshot, something’s wrong.
And by love I don’t mean ga-ga — I just mean you should feel your picture captures you at your best. And, your headshot should look like the real you. If something about your appearance has radically changed (e.g., your hair, your weight, your smile, your age), it’s time for an update.
For myself, I don’t want to be that person who walks into a room to give a speech or seminar and people say, “Yikes — she looked so much younger online.” What does that do to credibility?
Here are 5 tip for getting a professional headshot you love:
1. Talk to the photographer before making an appointment. Ask if you can see samples of their work. The photographer doesn’t need to be your new best friend (of course) — but if anything about them strikes you as unpleasant or unlikeable, trust your gut.
More to the point, if their personality rubs you the wrong way, you’re probably not going to like how your picture turns out. Don’t assume that just because they worked well for your friend that they’ll be right for you.
2. Find out approximately how long the session will last, how much they charge, and what that amount covers. My photographer charges a little over $200, but I’ll walk away with a CD that includes everything, which I’m free to use however I wish. And, I know she’ll do the job right the first time.
3. Schedule the appointment for early in the day (mid-morning, for example), so you’re sure to look bright-eyed and wide awake. Your hair and clothes will also look better.
4. Bring three to five different outfits to capture different looks. I realize men don’t wear “outfits.” Still, whether you’re a man or a woman, you’ll be surprised when you look through all your pictures to discover which looks you like and which ones you don’t.
5. Consider how the photo will be used. For example, mine will be used primarily on my website — which of course has lots of red. So in my picture, I’m probably not going to wear hot pink, even though I love the color.
Bonus tip: Figure out what look you’re going for (e.g., professional, creative, friendly). Put another way, what are your best attributes? Share these with your photographer so he or she can keep them in mind while composing each shot.
Even if you’re not active on LinkedIn or Twitter, or otherwise don’t foresee a need for a professional headshot, it’s better to have one ready than to wish you did.
Network with Gina