Professional Headshots – Are they really necessary?

Do you have a professional head shot? If not, you need one! A friend of mine is being honored by a non-profit organization this summer and he sent me information about it. The photo on the material was so outdated, it looked like his high school year book photo!

I started to think about my photo. Rick Eberle, one of my Senior Account Executives, told me he thought it was time for me to update my photo. “Why?” I asked. “It was only taken six years ago!”

Then other people started to make comments like, “it doesn’t really look like you” and “you look so young in the photo!” Okay, I get the hint!

So, yesterday, I visited Bob Giglione’s Studios in Huntington for professional headshots. Of course, I thought I was having a bad hair day! The stress leading up to the photo was unreal. Should I wear my hair straight or curly? Pulled back or up? Glasses or contacts? Should I wear yellow instead of blue? and so on….

I was feeling very uncomfortable. I called Christina Heedles, my assistant, to join me. She was wonderful. Just by being there, she really helped me feel at ease as Bob took the shots.

“Loosen up,” he said.

“You know, Bob, I’m usually behind the scenes not in front,” I said.

But as he snapped away, I felt more and more comfortable. “Don’t wear your glasses,” he said, “it does nothing for you…” “don’t put your hair back, you look great with it down…”

Okay, so why did I need professional shots? For one thing, when you are in business you end up using these shots more than you know. Professional head shots are used when sending out press materials, for brochures and other promotional materials on your company and you can use them on your blog and web site.

People want to see updated photos, not photos from high school or from seven years ago. Make sure you keep your professional head shot current and timely. You never know when you will need it and if you are in business, you will need it every so often.

Here’s a couple of the out takes that I won’t use as professional shots…

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One Comment

  1. Allie Herzog

    I like the last photo best…haha great blogs 🙂

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