Do I Need to Have a Professional Headshot?

Nowadays, everybody has a camera in their pocket at all times. There are probably tons of cell phone pictures of you to chose from when picking a profile picture. You may wonder, “why do I even need to get a professional headshot when there are so many other options already available?” Here are a couple reasons why it is important and worth it to invest in a headshot for yourself.

Making A Great First Impression

Everybody knows that a first impression is very important, especially when it comes to your career. Now, often times your first impression is made online by a recruiter or hiring manager sorting through hundreds of online profiles. A professional headshot will show you at your best, and allow you to portray yourself in the light that you want. This will help you stand out in a crowd and give off a professional demeanor and appearance. Go check out LinkedIn, you’ll find that just about everybody has a professional headshot as their profile picture and there is a reason for that.

This also includes social media presence. You want to always look your best because you never know when the right person will stumble across your profile and have a great opportunity for you. An amateur picture that, although may be fun, will be skipped over every time by recruiters.

There is a lot you can portray about yourself in a headshot. A nice smile shows that you are friendly and approachable, while a more serious facial expression will show that you are confident and determined. The backdrop will also have an impact on your portrayal in a headshot, whether is a solid backdrop, or a brick wall, or greenery, etc.

Headshots have a relatively low cost, but can be very rewarding over the long run. It is an investment in your own personal brand, giving people an idea of who you are before they ever meet you. It’ll give you a needed leg up to land and kill that interview!

A professional headshot photographer will know how to pose you, select a backdrop, and use light to get a shot that gives off the exact message you are looking for, allowing you to have a lot of control over the first impression you make. There are some scenarios where that fun picture of you taken with your friend’s cellphone will be what you want, but in most cases where you are trying to give off a professional vibe, you need a professional picture.

Building Confidence in The Professional Space

It feels good to look your best. So why not look your best? Feeling confident during your interactions can make a huge difference in how you are perceived. If you don’t think you’re qualified for a position or opportunity, not only will the process be more stressful, but it can have a negative impact on your performance overall. The old saying “dress for the job you want not the job you have” rings true here and can make you realize that you are capable of getting that interview or of completing that job!

This is also true if you have a headshot that is not up to date. Many people out there have headshots that were taken many years ago and that don’t quite look like them any more (it’s ok, we all get older). If someone has an idea of what you look like online, but are met by a different looking person face to face, this can cause a disconnect between you and that person and reduce your chances of making a good impression. So make sure those headshots are up to date!

If You Need to Get a Headshot

We at Stone’s Throw Productions offer headshot photography services to the Denver, Colorado area so go check out our work and reach out if you need to get your headshot updated!

William Weeks

1474 S Acoma St, Denver, CO 80223

719-640-7438