Most folks know how important headshots are in certain industries, like acting. Chris Pratt once recounted how a professional headshot took him from living in his car to landing a role on Everwood.
However, you may not realize that a professional business image or portrait is equally essential in the corporate world. You may be gaining—or losing—interest based entirely on your headshot.
The importance of professional headshots:
- We judge books by their covers, even when we know we shouldn’t.
- Most people decide if someone is trustworthy in less than a second of seeing their face.
- LinkedIn users with a photo receive more profile views and message requests.
In short, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Considering LinkedIn had 740 million users as of 2020, it’s safe to say that most employers, potential clients, and potential investors will take a look at your profile during their decision-making process.
If it looks like you took your headshot in the car or bathroom, it won’t inspire much confidence. What kind of image would you expect to see on a business website or in a professional publication? Would you be more likely to trust a financial planner who has a car selfie or one who has invested thought, time, and money in every aspect of their marketing visuals?
Why do you need a professional headshot?
“People do business with people they know, like, and trust.”
– Bob Burg
You are the face of your business, and unless your business is photography, your focus should be on selling yourself. Your focus should be on personal branding and personal marketing. A huge part of selling anything is image. During your photoshoot, your job is to present an image of yourself that tells people you are approachable, trustworthy, intelligent, and successful.
You cannot focus on doing your job if you’re busy trying to do someone else’s. Leave the professional headshot photography to the professionals.
Morton Visuals knows what it takes to create the headshot that gets you noticed and can help you connect with new clients. We know what percentage of your face should appear in the photo, whether or not you should smile, the clothes you should wear, the kind of background against which your headshot should be.
There is no replacement for a first impression. Morton Visuals offers individual headshots and headshots for the entire office team.
As we mention in our Lifestyle Branding blog post, one photo can convey confidence, relatability, and brand recognition. Contact Morton Visuals to learn more about how we can help you market yourself the way you deserve.
