I know, it can be expensive, but I wanted discuss why it’s worth it to invest in a photographer for your professional profile picture and why it will benefit you. I’ve always been into DIY, both for the fun of it and to save money, however since starting by business I had a big epiphany: People come to me seeking out my expertise, so why shouldn’t I be okay with going to others for their knowledge and talent?
While I do take most of my pictures myself, I am a big believer in working with a photographer for your professional imagery and headshots, and here’s why:
People will judge you on your photo.
“In the big picture of ultimate reality, what you wear neither defines who you are as a person nor determines your value as a human being, however, in the temporal realm of mere mortals, fair or not, people judge us by the way we look,” says Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of “Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results.”
How many times have you been scrolling LinkedIn to see who you might know and who you can connect with only to judge people on their pictures? I will be the first to say that I do this. Bad profile pictures on LinkedIn drive me completely insane! This is the first representation of yourself that someone will see and you’re using a selfie? Come on people! Do yourself a favor and look professional. People will notice a bad profile picture, so just be aware of that.
Someone who knows what they’re doing will be able to make you more comfortable in front of the camera.
I’m really awkward in front of the camera, but you might not know that based on my pictures. Working with someone who knows what they’re doing will help you feel more comfortable. Photographers who focus on business headshots often work with people not used to being in front of the camera, so they know tips and tricks to make you look and feel more comfortable. As a side note, it’s their job to make you look good and catch your best side. Doesn’t everyone want that?
You’ll be able to use the photo(s) for a while, so you’ll get a big bang for your buck.
One of the best parts of getting professional photos taken is that they should last you for a few years. The higher quality the photo, the longer the photo will last. Yes, if you look drastically different you’ll want to update your photo, however if the photo is high quality and you look relatively the same, you’ll get a lot of use out of it.
The problem that people often run into is when they use a low quality photo. As technology advances, photos become more crisp and clear, and older more pixilated photos look worse and worse in comparison. This is why when you invest in high quality professional photos, they will last you longer.
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Even though it’s possible to take a good headshot yourself, it’s worth it to invest in a photographer for professional profile photos. A good business photographer will know how to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, produce high quality photos that you can use for a while, and will ensure that you’re giving off the right professional image.