They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
I agree. The most important and unique asset we all possess is a smile.
A smile welcomes a stranger.
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
It opens or closes a conversation.
It sends a positive message.
It’s a sign of confidence and radiance.
The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.
In a lot of the mentoring I do, I often find women (and men) want to know more about how to develop a personal brand. Today’s social stage requires us all to build a presence. Before anything else, it’s about putting our best smile on for the camera. And that means taking a quality headshot.
THREE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL HEADSHOT:
1. No selfies. Hire a professional. I’ve seen awful photos on LinkedIn profiles ranging from vacation shots to soft porn. Yes, I love Disney World too, but there’s a place for those photos: Facebook. The best investment you can make in taking a quality shot is to hire a pro. It used to be that meant spending lots of money. That’s changed. Most photographers charge $150-250 for a session and if you can arrange a group session, you can save even more. So just put aside a month of lattes and the calories you’ll save, and make the investment.
2. Your clothing choice is important. The goal of taking a nice shot is to bring you to the forefront. You want to wear flattering clothing so avoid anything that’s distracting. Go for muted tones that are a bit subdued and bring colors that compliment your skin tone.
3. Have fun. Sometimes the best shots are the ones in between those formal posed shots. So don’t be afraid to let loose and be yourself – that’s what people want to see!
Written by Katie Mehnert
http://www.katiemehnert.com/
