6 TIPS TO BOOST YOUR HEADSHOT PROFILE
The business headshot, it’s the single most important marketing tool for any entrepreneur, business, author or personality. You want to shine like the pro you know you are, not an amateur, so the way you present yourself on LinkedIn means everything. We’ve compiled our best 6 tips to help you stand out and grab the attention you deserve.
CONSIDER YOUR OUTFIT
There are no rules to what you should wear, however, we find strong colours and pastel colours work best when patterns are minimised. Tie wearers should focus on the knot, whilst shirt wearers should consider complimenting the look with a suit jacket.
MAKE THE EFFORT
Hair and make-up artists are available at the studio, you can choose to pre-book this service or arrive looking your very best. Professional hair & make-up adds a lot of value to your images, however, if you do not wish to add this service onto your shoot, please do pay extra attention to your skin care regime and consider visiting a salon prior to your shoot.
KEEP THE BACKGROUND SIMPLE
Studio shoots often look better than outside shots. You're at the mercy of the weather outside and the background could be distracting, taking the focus away from yourself. Studio lighting and simple backgrounds generate the most flexible results, making you the centre of attention.
LOOK DOWN THE LENS
A common mistake people make is to look past the camera which makes them look distant - not great for first impressions, although they do have a place for artistic advertising campaigns. By making direct eye contact with the camera you look engaged, switched on and ready to build business relationships. It's important to avoid shots from above as this can make you look smaller and less authoritative.
GET YOUR HEAD DOWN
Getting a good night's sleep is easier said than done for many busy business people, however, if you can, then do try and get as much rest as possible the night before your shoot. Nobody wants to do business with somebody who looks exhausted and turning up feeling refreshed and awake will really come across in the picture.
RESPECT YOUR AUDIENCE
Successful business people become so because they have a specific trait which makes them stand out from the crowd, so think about what yours is and try and communicate it in your picture. Maybe you're a great communicator, maybe you understand how to motivate people, whatever your single biggest strength is, find a way to express it. People do business with people, so be yourself.
PRE-SHOOT STYLING ADVICE
Be yourself, and achieve the best version of you. Making an effort on how you look will create the best first impression, stay true to your personality and business sector.
TIES, SHIRTS & SUITS
Solid coloured ties made from pure silk look sharp. For a more casual look, go for a knitted tie. If in doubt bring a few options to your shoot and the team can help narrow down your options. Make sure you wear a shirt collar that covers the noose and cover the top button with no gaps.Fitted shirts make a huge difference. When it comes to shirts, white or pastel colours look best. Tailored suits also stand out. Solid colours work best. Stay away from stripes or patterns.
LESS CORPORATE LOOKS
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a techy, a trendy chef, an artist or an author, we all have the opportunity to express ourselves, and we encourage this. Plan your outfits to look sharp so that you feel confident for the shoot. Inspire your prospective clients to reach out to you. We’re always reinventing ourselves and business suits may not always have a place within your brand. Try to define your passion for your work with experimenting with contemporary looks that your new clients can connect with.
NAILS & ACCESSORIES
You may have heard it over and over again: You are your best accessory. Prepare well by getting a manicure. Yes that’s right, we just said get a manicure. Clean looking nails add to your image of success. Add accessories like a watch, pocket square, tie pin and cuff links or jewellery. Clients want to connect with successful people. Let us help you put your best foot forward.
SUIT JACKETS, SLEEVELESS DRESSES, PATTERNS, COLOURS & JEWELLERY
We recommend a suit jacket with any dress or blouse to give you a flattering contrast. Keep your blouses solid light colours like whites and pastels, and keep the jackets darker. Avoid complex patterns as they may look distorted prior to any post-production work.
HAIR
Colouring hair digitally is time consuming and rarely looks real. Visit a salon prior to your appointment if you’re thinking about a cut or colour. You may also consider visiting a salon if you intend to have braids of any combination, inserts of hair extensions or complex styles which would require a specialist. Our hair and make up services offer dry hair styling with make-up to suit all skin tones and can be purchased as an add-on.
PROPS
Using props at your Headshot session is a great way to add detail and context to your images. For example, if you are a public speaker, you may want to wear a clip-on microphone, providing ideal context for your target audience to view. In this example for the NBA, we were commissioned to photograph the staff with the official basketball used in games around the world, bringing together product placement with personal branding.
SOME COMMON MISTAKES
EYE CONTACT
When you look a person in the eye you communicate confidence and conviction, knowledge and authority. Engage with your audience through the power of a great headshot. Show them you are the number one choice for the product or service they need. At DG CORPORATE Headshots in London we take the time to get to know you and what fires your passions for the work you do. We then illustrate this in the headshots we take.
ON THE PHONE
Nobody can do two things at once, it is a proven fact. Multi tasking is a myth and a sure way to put off anyone looking to do business with you. People want to do business with people that give them their full attention. Let our headshot photographers in London show your clientele that you have their best interests in mind and you respect and want to earn their business.
NO IMAGES
A great headshot is so much more than putting a face to the name. It projects your personal brand, portrays your confidence, knowledge and above all gives you the credibility you need to connect with people. Welcome your new clients into your business with a headshot taken at DG CORPORATE Headshots in London, our studio is based in Old Street and we can travel all over Europe in order to give you what you need..
TOO CLOSE
Invading one’s personal space can be a sign of aggression and creates a negative reaction. When building trust and respect between you and your clients - it is important to put them at ease and make them feel comfortable. Trust us to take the headshots you need so that people feel the respect they deserve in their business interactions with you. We will help capture your brand and deliver your vision.
PARTY PICTURES
It may be obvious that these types of images in no way portray your business intellect, vision, or ingenuity and yet many people have a party picture cropped because it’s the only ‘good’ picture they have. Please allow our professional photographers in London to create images you deserve to use, in order to connect with your network and clientele. Invest in the best possible depiction of you and see the difference in your business.
CARTOONS
No one takes these seriously. Please do not even consider this option as a business professional. Don’t create a barrier between you and forging new relationships. People want to connect with you and not a cartoon. Show them you are serious about earning their business with a professional headshot taken at one of our premier business headshot studios in London.