In the age of remote work, where people collaborate from far-flung locations and meet only online, it has never been more important to have a professional business portrait. It's a must for establishing credibility and authenticity, building a personal brand, and leaving a memorable impression. A professional photographer is much more than your extended "selfie hand": they are experts at highlighting your best self and creating natural-looking images that you can proudly use on social media platforms, in emails, or on your website. Let's take a look at the top 10 reasons why you should get professional portrait photography done!
Let’s be honest, a poorly lit photo, taken on a cell phone, may not leave the best impression on your potential customers. A photographer who specializes in portrait photography knows the best angles to shoot from, what poses might be the best suited for your physique, and how to adjust the lighting to bring out the best of you.
Reason #1 - Creating a professional personal brand
While there are definitely professions where you don't need stunning looks to be successful, a professional personal brand requires an image of you. When you're working with people, your photos need to stand out from the industry standard and show that you're a confident, trustworthy professional. The greatest power of great images is that they build credibility, while on the flip side, poor image quality can push potential clients away.
Professional-looking business portraits are especially important in industries like real estate, healthcare (from massage therapists to plastic surgeons, from coaches to psychologists), consulting - almost any market where you need to build a long-term relationship with your clients.
Reason #2 - Helps to build credibility for remote workers
Since March 2020, the corporate world has changed, and we don't know to what extent. What is certain is that video telephony and remote working will be with us even after the pandemic is over and business returns to its usual course. Especially for freelancers and remote working professionals, it is important to have a professional headshot as face-to-face meetings are not possible. A good portrait photo can reflect your personality, a smiling portrait suggests openness, and trustworthiness, which are important traits to build a business in this sector.
Reason #3 - In-person recognition
Even with HD cameras installed, video chat platforms are not leaving the same memory imprint of people as in-person meetings. Your business associates will more easily recognize you when you meet at conferences or business events if you use a professional portrait. A sense of familiarity will help you take the initiative more easily.
An up-to-date portrait helps others see what you look like today. If you have photos from years ago on your online profiles and website, key partners and potential clients will have a hard time catching up with you when they first meet you in person, which can undermine your credibility. This is not the best way to surprise people.
Reason #4 - Boosting confidence
A professional photo can help you stand out from the crowd, and makes you more memorable. It feels good to have a photo that shows you at your best. It can boost your confidence and inspire you to become more visible to your audience.
Reason #5 - Your Profile Photo Matters to potential employers and prospects
The way you present yourself is important when you are looking for a job or trying to land a new client; you want to leave a solid impression that you are committed to quality and willing to go the extra mile to be exceptional. If you present yourself in an unprofessional manner, it can affect the confidence that potential clients or employers have in you.
Reason #6 - If you need a professional photo quickly
Using vacation photos or restaurant selfies are great options for your personal social media profiles, however, a press release, PR article, or the about us section of your website calls for photos taken in a professional setting. If you have multiple peers in the company’s management or your group, similar photos build your organization’s image. A professional photo also comes in handy if you quickly need to submit an up-to-date picture of yourself for a business-related reason.
Reason #7 - Personal touch
By using business headshots, you not only make your business look more professional and friendly but also add a personal touch. It builds credibility, as people want to see what you look like before they do business with you.
Reason #8 - Lighting
Although high-end mobile devices have become more like cameras with voice chat capabilities, a well-crafted business headshot requires professional lighting. Even if the shoot is in an outdoor location, experienced photographers use brighteners to bring out colors naturally and create contrast on the face and body.
If the shoot takes place in a studio, which is likely for business portraits, the role of lighting becomes even more important. Special lighting equipment used in studios includes lamps of various sizes that can be used to create vibrant colors and enhance the photo in a natural way. Lighting can create the desired mood, which for business pictures should be more neutral with a touch of your personality.
Reason #9 - Being up-to-date with marketing trends
Before booking, decide what background you want for your professional photoshoot - match it to your website design or use white or grey, depending on what you're aiming for. Web design trends change every year, and updating your image gallery on your company's line to match the design is a professional must-have.
Reason #10 - Professional environment
Last but not least, a studio provides a professional environment for your photos where there are no distractions. While the Caribbean Sea may look wonderful at sunset, using your summer selfie as a resume portrait or on your website could send a different message that may even turn against your efforts.
If you are working with others, building a personal brand, or meeting others to build your business, a professional headshot is an essential investment. Do it at least every 1-2 years to show your current and best self with the help of an experienced photographer.
If you are looking for a Business Headshot check out Masters of Light Studio's e-Commerge portfolio.
