The Importance of A Great Head Shot

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:30:49 -0400

Within the first 3 seconds of seeing you, people have probably already made a judgment about you. And these days, with so much business conducted online, your online image is as important as your in-person one.

Social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and email marketing are the cornerstone of your online image. If you're in sales, marketing, PR (especially if you're self-employed,) you can't afford not to be using these tools. But there's a lot more to it than social media...

These days, prospects and clients are likely to Google you and see your online presence before they ever meet you in person! Some people are even saying that "Google is the new resume" because even if you do meet someone in person, chances are they'll google you if they're interested in learning more.

So when people look for you online... What do they see?

When people Google you, friend you in Facebook or look you up LinkedIn, does what they see represent you well? Is your personal brand consistent across platforms? Is your profile photo attractive and reflective of that brand?

If you do nothing else, right now, at the very least make sure that your profile images are attractive and represent your unique brand. Not sure? Ask a trusted friend to tell you honestly – and don't get defensive when she tells you the truth. Chances are, she only wants to help (and if not, then what kind of friend is that anyways?)

Simply put, your online pictures are your first impression.

How important is having a professional portrait?

Right or wrong, how you are perceived visually is just as important as what you can do – at least at first. And nowhere is that more true than online.

Having a great, professional portrait is fundamental, especially if you're trying to brand yourself as an expert in your field. All experts have professional portraits. It's even better if you're image makes it clear what you do.

Notice the Sharpies in my photo... I use that photo for my workshops and seminars, because I use Sharpies a lot to help release creative thinking – and I have a bit of a Sharpie fetish. This photo was shot by Miami-based photographer, Gio Alma.

See! Just because the photo is professional, doesn't mean it has to be fake or boring!

Take a look at these "Before & After" profile pics of our very own Jessica Lurie, who wanted to brand herself more professionally online and throughout her social media profiles:

What contributes to a great online profile image? Here are 10 tips for improving your personal brand with a great Head Shot.

I'm blown away by how much my headshot has done to boost my business online. And it's more than just having the headshot, it's strategically placing it in the right places online to maximize my presence.

You can follow the 10 steps below on your own, or if you prefer to have our expertise and guidance, we can help you at the Headshot Workshop on Thursday, February 16th. Interested? Click here.

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10 Tips For A GREAT Head Shot to Boost Your Online Presence

Brian Tannebaum, top Criminal Defense Attorney, Miami

1. Use a current photo.

A photo that looks old screams "stuck in the past." Not only is it unprofessional, but you're missing the opportunity to keep your brand as current and as relevant as you are.

Even if you were more "beautiful" 10 years ago, chances are these last 10 years have given you experience, character and depth. Don't hide that.

2. Pick the right pose.

Your pose should be right for your brand. No generic, cheezy glamour shots! Your picture should reflect who you are and, if possible, what you do.

Also, consider whether having a "prop" will help convey who you are and what you do (like the photo in the sidebar of Mike Thomas with the lightbulb).

If you're a woman, consider avoiding the ever-popular "head tilt." It's a "little girl" pose that can diminish your credibility. See below...

3. Don't edit while you're shooting, edit once you're done.

When you do a photo shoot, be open-minded, try everything. You can always trash the photos later. The creative process and the editing process are opposites, don't confuse them! One requires open-mindedness, the other critical thinking.

Example: During my photo shoot I just pulled out that handful of Sharpies and played around. There were about 100 bad pictures, and one magical one.

4. Make eye contact.

While some situations/personal brands require something different, by and large, making eye contact engenders trust. And we all know trust is the basis of every relationship - business or otherwise.

5. Consider at least one setup with a white background.

Shooting against a white background allows us to create a "silhouetted" photo that can be placed against any color background. That's GREAT for the web and for getting creative with things like your business card or email signature (see the Sudsies photos for a great example).

6. Post your head shot EVERYWHERE - and tag with your full name.

Because of the way Google works, the more places you post your picture (make sure your pics all have your full name as the title (i.e., Michelle Villalobos, Mivista.jpg), the more you'll start to "own" your name. Fill out ALL online profiles that you can – even if you never plan to use them, simply to plant your stake in the ground and own your name as broadly online as possible. Use consistent photos across platforms.

7. Be authentic and show personality!

Just because you're getting a professional headshot, doesn't mean that the photo has to be generic, stiff or boring. In fact, social media IS about being "social", so the more attractive and fun your photo – while being professional – the better!

8. Use props.

Try to capture what you do somehow, perhaps by using props - but be careful you don't cross the line into "cheeze" territory! In fact, whether your brand is "Earth Mother," "Badass Exec," "Girl-Next-Door Entrepreneur," "Marketing Queen," "Trustworthy Financial Planner," "Kooky Artist" or something completely different, a portrait can and should project your unique brand.

9. Furthermore, you need a consistent image.

Even if you use different photos for different purposes, they all need to be high-quality, attractive and they need to accurately align with the most important brand in the world: yours.

10. Retouch (and crop).

Take a look at these before & after, below. What a difference!!

If you do nothing else, right now, at the very least make sure that your profile images are attractive and represent your unique brand.

And if you decide that they don't, and you're not sure what to do about it, consider signing up for our Headshot Workshop on February 16th (more on that below).

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The Headshot Workshop: Your One-Stop Online Image,
Personal Branding & Professional Portrait Experience

We can help you take control of your online brand AND we're going to shoot your brand new, attractive, unique, "you" branded headshot.

The Headshot Workshop is the easiest, most comprehensive and most fun way to get a professional portrait that properly and beautifully reflects your brand online.

Dr. Maria Escoto
SoBeDENTIST.com

In addition to a one-on-one phone consult with me (Michelle Villalobos) to guide you in developing your personal brand and your online presence, our amazing photographer will shoot an attractive, authentic, true-to-your-personality headshot of you.

You'll get ALL high-res headshots that I'll personally help you pick. Then, if needed, we'll retouch your 3 favorites (by the way, I've never had to retouch photos with the current photographer we use - she's that talented! We offer it "just in case.")

Take a look at Michelle Wolfe's photo below. We created an actual logo for her using her photo from the Headshot Workshop III.

Michelle Wolfe
"Promotional Products Diva" – Halo/Lee Wayne

Here's another cool thing we did for Brian Tannebaum - to show his unique speaking style. He can use this array on a one-sheet promoting his speaking services:

Some of our Headshot Workshop clients say it's the ONLY picture they've ever liked of themselves!

Tricia Bannister
Spa Consultant

Gina Nordqvist

Nordqvist Creative Agency, Specializing In Real Estate Marketing Strategy & Execution

Jessica Lurie

Mivista, Inc. Partner & Yoga Enthusiast

This is perhaps the coolest program we do. What's not to love? Get fabulous professional portraits, solidify your personal brand, revamp your online presence & have fun!

A quick rundown of the Headshot Workshop deliverables:

1. 3 attractive, professional (not cookie cutter), retouched digital headshots that capture your unique brand.

2. A full CD of the rest of your photos – high resolution (suitable for print) so you can do whatever you want with them.

3. A 30-minute pre-shoot one-on-one phone strategy session with me (Michelle Villalobos): We will discuss your personal brand, figure out what you need to wear and bring to get the right selection of options (we do 2 to 3 outfits), and brainstorm how you will creatively use your images to create "buzz."

4. Post Headshot Workshop call with me (Michelle Villalobos) once you have your photos. This will be a group call where I give you practical, tactical ways to deploy your new image, and where you can ask questions, as well as hear the feedback I give to others.

5. My proprietary "Own Your Name On Google" checklist - so when people search for you online, they can find you, and what they see gives the right online first impression.

1. The Portrait(s)

Okay okay. You get it. You need a headshot. But I'm sure you know a photographer, or even a friend who can do it for you, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

Anyone can snap a photo. Not everyone knows how to make sure you're unique personality and brand are captured in a way the works for you online. I do – I guarantee it.

First off, I help you define your brand and figure out the best way to capture it on film. I have an excellent relationship with our photographer, and I personally work with you on all of the preliminary work (establishing your brand identity, discussing wardrobe, hair, makeup and props) to make sure you get the perfect headshot.

You might not know this, but I worked for Ocean Drive magazine for over 7 years, half of that was in editorial – executing photo shoots and articles. If there's one thing I know, it's photo shoots!

We'll make sure your portrait "fits" you – your personality, your business, your unique look. It will be attractive for sure, but it's not a "Glamour Shot" or anything like it. You'll love it - I promise (and guarantee it).

2. Your FULL CD of photos

Most photographers will only give you a handful of photos. In fact, it took 2 years for us to create a deal that would allow us to give our clients the entire shoot. This is a big deal!

3. The Pre-Photo Shoot Consult

In addition to getting a great headshot, we also do a pre-photo shoot session over the phone to help you craft your online brand. This is where we discuss what you should be wearing to properly convey your brand to YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.

We take such care with our appearance every day. For example, I recently read that the average woman spends 55 minutes a day grooming! What are you doing to manage your image online? Chances are, you're not spending 55 minutes a day – at least not strategically. We'll teach you the essentials of what you can do to easily and effectively manage your online presence. And no, you don't need to spend 55 minutes a day to do it well!

4. The Post-Photo Shoot Consult

After the photo shoot, I'll be holding a 1.5 hour call to give you and the other Headshot Workshop attendees concrete suggestions for how to best deploy your images. You'll get an opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and listen to how others are creatively using their head shots.

5. The "Own Your Name On Google" checklist

I'll also send you my proprietary "Own Your Name On Google" checklist for you to strategically flesh out your online profiles (like LinkedIn, Facebook, Google & Twitter) to ensure that people are finding you online AND that what they find represents you well. Even if you don't want to use any of those tools for business, you need to know what's already out there about you, and you need to – at the very least – protect your name.

You can easily take control of your online presence, just by following the strategic steps and personalized checklist that I'll give you specific, personalized pointers on during our second call.

The checklist will help you:

- Learn the quickest, easiest ways to QUICKLY take control of your online brand
– "Own your name" all over the web.
– Create consistency across all platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, website, etc.)

Price & Payment

The value of this package, if you bought in pieces:

* The Headshots (3 retouched) = $300 to $600
* Full CD of photos = $500 to $2000 (if you can get it)
* 2 30-minute strategy sessions with Michelle = $600 (approximate - Michelle is not available to the public in this manner)
* "Own Your Name on Google" checklist = not available for sale

However, since we are able to do multiple shoots in one day, we are offering the Headshot Workshop on February 16th for just one payment of $699 or two payments of $375.

If you are not available on February 16th, we can also do your shoot by appointment. Contact us to set this up.

Did I mention the guarantee? If you're not in love with this experience or your photos, we will reshoot you, and if that still doesn't work, we'll refund your full fee. This is our way of showing you how confident we are of the value this experience will deliver.

Headshot Workshop: February 16th OR By Appointment

1 Payment of $699

2 Payments of $375

** NEED MORE HELP? If you're thinking - "this is great, but I have questions." No problem, call us or let us know when we can call you. Our number is (888) 531-3830 or you can reach out to us online, here.

We've heard about some problems paying with Paypal. Call or email Jessica Lurie for alternate payment instructions: (888) 531-3830 or jessica@mivistainc.com.

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Event Created & Presented By:

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Questions? Contact:
Jessica Lurie
(888) 531-3830
jessica@mivistainc.com

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Management & Sales Training Events by Michelle Villalobos, Motivational Speaker in Miami, FL

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The Importance of A Great Head Shot

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