Headshots Matter. Here's Why.
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Meet my photographer friends! From left to right: John Schlia, Kelly Kester, & Julia Merrell
The first time I had a headshot taken, I was 21 and starting my first office job after undergrad. I was working at my alma mater and the university photographer snapped a quick photo in front of a generic backdrop in his basement cubicle. I didn’t love the end result, but hey, it was just going up on our department’s website and nowhere else, so no big deal, right? A “meh” headshot wasn’t the end of the world, but it was a missed opportunity.
As my career has progressed, I’ve come to learn the value of a great headshot. It can make you feel way more confident and awesome as you market yourself online! For awhile, I used a black and white headshot an intern at another job took, but it never felt like me. When I finally got headshots I loved, it made a world of difference! I recently got new headshots and love them so much, which got me thinking about what makes a great headshot and how often you should update them. I figured I wasn’t the only one who has wondered about these things, so I talked to some of my photographer friends to get their best insights and tips!
Why Headshots Matter
As photographer Kelly Kester says, “A great headshot is your digital calling card. People are scoping you out on your website, LinkedIn, and Instagram before they decide whether to give you their business.” Who hasn’t done some light internet sleuthing before a Zoom meeting? That type of research is just standard operating procedure these days.
The approach to headshots varies by industry, too. Photographer John Schlia explains that “If you are in the finance industry you need to look like a million bucks and like you know what to do with people's money, if you are a personal trainer you need to look tough but also friendly. There's a delicate balance and certainly not a cookie cutter application for headshots.” Everyone’s headshots will vary depending on your profession, your personality, and so much more!
Headshot sessions don’t have to be stiff and formal, either. Photographer Julia Merrell uses her headshot sessions with clients to “celebrate new beginnings.” She shares that “these sessions are so much more than snapping a couple "professional" pictures. These images should speak to your personality, and should make an impression even before your resume or portfolio are seen.”
I’ve worked with both John and Julia, and loved the headshots they created for me! In a way, both of our sessions were celebrations of new beginnings. I got my headshots done with John in May 2019, right when I first left my day job to run Serve Me the Sky Digital full-time. It was a super exciting and terrifying time in my life, and John captured some beautiful headshots to mark the beginning of that chapter! In November 2020, I got new headshots with Julia. I had recently started wearing my hair in an asymmetrical cut, which is part of what prompted me to get new headshots. It also felt like the beginning of a new chapter--I had just said goodbye to my passion project, I was stepping into the role of Board Chair for Cameron Community Ministries, and it feels like there are a lot of possibilities to come. Julia captured that moment and my enthusiasm so well!
How Often to Update Your Headshots
This is a tough call: how often do you need to update your headshots? The answer is “it depends.” Each photographer I talked to had a slightly different answer! For John Schlia, it’s “something that you do at least every 3 years. If you go through a major rebranding or change your hair drastically then it's important to update more often. I got new glasses and had new headshots done.” Julia Merrell concurs: headshots are “for any new chapter in your life. New haircut, or change in your personal style? New headshots. About to start a new job or embark on a career change? Let's take some headshots!”
Again, this is variable depending on both the industry you’re in and the volume of content you’re posting. Kelly Kester explains that “If you're wanting to create more of an online presence with blogging or Instagram, you'll want to look at at least twice a year or more.” Kelly hit the nail on the head--and that’s part of why I wanted new headshots even though my previous set was only 18 months old! As a self-employed social media professional, I post a lot of content on Instagram, my website, and my blog. I had started using stock from sites like Unsplash and wanted to get some additional, more personalized branding photos to use.
Other Branding Photos
Let’s talk branding photos! Do you need those too? Julia explains, “When it comes to social media for small businesses, don't get caught up in just the 'technical' images. Many think: "headshot, product shots, brand name shot" but there's SO much more in you and your business's story! Getting images of real life, laughter, small precious details, all of these images together tell your story.” I love the idea of having more personal, human images! People connect with people, not brands or graphics or generic product shots. Making it more real and authentic is always a positive!
According to John, “Interacting with people is important because it shows others that people trust you and want to work with you.” So if you can rope folks in to show off how you work with clients, that’s great to include! “Going back to my example of a trainer, you should showcase yourself in the gym or out running or working with clients. If you're a chef it is important to have some environmental portraits with you getting your hands dirty.” Those environmental shots can really help tell a story!
When thinking about branding photos, you also need to consider your message and your audience. What story do you want to tell? Kelly advises, “If you have a physical space like a storefront, show people using it (maybe in non-COVID times), or if you have tangible products show them in use. If you're a service-based company, focus more on the mood you want to create. Variety is key!” I appreciate her emphasis on variety! You don’t want your followers to get bored of seeing the same ten product shots all the time.
How to Get a Great Headshot
When it comes to capturing the perfect headshot, it’s certainly not easy! Here are some tips from the folks behind the camera to make it just a little bit easier to get a headshot that makes you feel super confident:
November 2020 - by Julia Merrell
“Come wearing one power item. Whether it's a scarf, or some funky earrings, you can draw power from something that makes you feel RAD!” -- Julia
“If you can splurge on professional hair and/or make-up, I always think that's a great confidence booster. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but putting yourself in the hands of someone else to get ready can really take a lot of stress off.” -- Kelly
“I suggest to work with a photographer that you click (no pun intended) with. You want someone who can coach you but also allow you to be natural.” -- John (don’t miss his awesome blog post with more great headshot tips!)
“Don't be afraid to let loose. I make sure I embarrass myself by being as goofy as possible in your session, so that you can forget you're in front of a lens and can be 100% yourself!” -- Julia
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