investing in a headshot is more important than you think.

Will you accept this rose of advice?

Or maybe you’re more of a Real Housewives fan. Either way, today we are talking professional photography and why it’s important for YOU!

You don’t have to be a social media influencer to reap the benefits of a professional photo. While having beautifully poised candid photos taken of yourself walking around the office or looking up from your laptop and smiling might seem unreasonable (and unnecessary!), there are plenty of reasons why you should invest in a professional headshot.

Having a great headshot is another medium by which you can introduce yourself to people - a medium of which you can be proud of to share! And hiring the right photographer is key… so how do you find a good photographer in the sea of so many?

A good photographer will capture the essence of who you really are, through photos. As we know, social media and professional networking platforms can be very one dimensional and not leave people knowing much more than your itemized resume and your love for puppies.

A great photographer will be able to snap you in time in a frame that showcases your personality, energy, and even surroundings so you can better convey what you’re all about to those looking in from the outside. Your photographer can even help you find a location and even suggest how to carry yourself, for all those “what do I do with my hands?!” moments.

Okay Holly, but do I really need to go all out and hire a photographer? It sounds a little excessive…

I’m glad you asked! If you go on LinkedIn right now and your photo includes any of the following, it’s time to consider professional headshots:

The photo is outdated and/or pixelated photo from 2006 (or even 2015 for that matter)
You are holding a beverage - of any kind (anywhere from soy latte to tequila shot is off limits)
The classic half of a photo look - even to cut out your ex, this is a no-go
You’re at a friend's wedding - because that's the last time you had professional hair and makeup done
There are shadows across your face or you’re way over saturated - lighting matters and will help to establish your legitimacy
This probably goes without saying, but your bitmoji is also fully off-limits

Ouch, alright, so now I need to find a photographer...how do I go about doing that? Can I just hand someone my iPhone? The camera is great!

That’s also going to be a no, but I promise you, you will not regret it! If you want to be taken seriously, you have got to look the part, and nothing says professional like literally hiring a professional! Finding a great photographer is easy with these simple steps:

Search localized hashtags on Instagram for photographers in your area. (i.e. #BayAreaHeadshots, #SFheadshots, #SFphotographer, etc.) Then you’ll just put on your best bachelor in paradise hat and slide into the photographer's DMs to start a conversation!
Look for photographers who have done "lifestyle" photos or who specialize in professional headshots (but not the old school cheesy Glamorshot kind - promise?). Choose a photographer who has a style you like. Someone whose social you find yourself scrolling and clicking on for a while.
Depending on your location, pricing will vary. Do some quick Googling to find a reasonable going rate in your market.
While you chat through details with your new hired pal, make sure you plan for a few different poses, and even outfit changes! You'll want choices to pick from once your images are delivered.

Now for the fun part! You’ve locked in your date and you’re prepping for headshot day. To make this as easy as possible for you, I thought it might be helpful to turn to the pros for advice.

I recently sat down with Petra and Pavla Langer, sister duo founders of San Francisco-based makeup and beauty studio FaceWest and stylist Wendy Witherspoon to get pro tips on setting yourself up for success heading into your big day.

Petra and Pavla Langer, founders of FaceWest, a makeup and beauty studio in San Francisco.

Holly: What are key things often overlooked in preparing for a headshot?

Petra and Pavla: “Don’t do any facial peels, tanning, extensive exfoliating, electrolysis or waxing the days leading up to your headshot. Your skin may look red and irritated. Get a manicure before the shoot. Often times your hands show in your photo and unkempt nails can be a distraction. This goes for the guys too! And If you are in need of a haircut, get one the week before. Get inspiration from Pinterest to see what poses you like and share with your photographer. Even sharing things you don’t like can be helpful to make sure the two of you are on the same page.”

Holly: What’s a good checklist of essentials to run through to make your headshots turn out beautifully?

Petra and Pavla: “Make sure that ALL clothes are ironed before the shoot. Wrinkles in clothes are difficult to edit out. For guys, shave the day of your shoot. An unwanted 5 o’clock shadow can’t be edited out easily. Use cooling gel or aftershave to help with skin irritation. Bring deodorant in case you get warm or nervous, no one wants sweat stains showing in their headshot. Also, it's a good idea to bring a backup shirt/outfit just in case you change your mind, spill something, etc. Other items that are good to have on hand: lint roller, steamer, lipstick/chapstick, hairbrush, and water.”

Holly: What one mistake you see people make frequently when it comes to headshots?

Petra and Pavla: “Don’t put off getting your headshot! We hear a variety of excuses...waiting to lose those 5 pesky pounds, wanting a summer tan, hoping for one's hair to grow out, wishing for one's busy life to settle down, the list goes on. We recommend having a professional headshot done every few years so that your picture reflects what you look like today (not 10 years ago).

For men and women, having your makeup and hair done by a professional is essential. Photographs tend to wash people out and highlight areas of redness, texture, oiliness, and dryness on the face. For women, applying ample blush and choosing the right lip color are key when being photographed. For men, it’s all about taming the eyebrows, applying powder to combat shine and wearing a clear no-shine lip treatment to hide chapped lips.”

Your headshot shouldn't be a huge departure from your everyday appearance. If you like what you are wearing and feel good about your hair/makeup, you will undoubtedly photograph better. Have fun with it and smile!

Okay got it, so I’ll schedule my headshot at Facewest, but Petra and Pavla mentioned liking what I wear? I’m not always sure how to dress for something like this…

Stylist Wendy Witherspoon is here to help!

Holly: Wendy, what kind of styling would you recommend to someone who wants to still look professional but not wear a suit?

Wendy Witherspoon: "You no longer have to wear a suit to look professional. What you wear for a headshot should be a reflection of who you are as a professional and the culture of your company. Wear something already in your closet (yes, I'm telling you NOT shop) and something you would typically wear to the office. Your professional headshot is not a good time to experiment with fashion. Avoid loud prints, pattern mixing, heavy accessories, and colors that wear you. Instead, focus on wearing a bright hue in a color that flatters your skin tone, choose a tailored top to look sharp, or a classic top or dress and add an extra layer like a suede or collarless jacket."

Holly: What are some things someone can do to have their headshot stand out while not overdoing it?

Wendy Witherspoon: "Wear your "wow" color! The color that makes your eyes stand out and feel like a million bucks every time you wear it! Everyone has one.

Wendy Witherspoon: “If you are unsure of your "wow" color ask your best friend - they'll tell you! If you are still having trouble identifying your color try jewel tones - it's a universal color palette that looks great on most skin tones.”

Pay attention to the fit of your outfit. Wear something that fits you well and isn't too small, large or not your typical style. Feeling comfortable and confident will help your photo stand out for all the right reasons!

Finally, test out your look. Take a photo of yourself and make sure you feel good in your outfit. Doing this step will save you time and money."

The point is, your LinkedIn profile should reflect who you are right now, as accurately as possible. Not to mention, you’ll get way more use out of the photo’s than you could initially plan for! We’re talking google accounts, badges at work, email signatures, your application to be on the Bachelor, etc. Showing people your cute mug could be holding you back from landing the jobs, clients, and responses to emails you’re dreaming of!

It’s time to stop making excuses and book that photographer, friend!

Photo courtesy of FaceWest and Lindsey Masterson of Lindsey Masterson Photography.

Holly works with professionals to create services-based businesses using expertise and strengths they already have. Holly is the creator of The Consultant Code, a program will have you up, running, and profitable with your services-based business in 60 days or less! Want to learn more? Drop her a note at: holly@hollyknoll.com

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