Your LinkedIn portrait should be a proud and accurate online visual representation of your professional, success-driven self.
Is anything holding you back from booking your session?
Can you imagine your session as a positive experience?
Do you share the sentiment that having your photo taken can be stressful and anxiety-laden?
Perhaps:
You’ve had your photograph taken previously by a friend, amateur photographer, or your company required photographs and you were less than pleased with the results.
Being a recognizable face that stands out to others may be intimidating in a seemingly superficial social climate. This factor is less than common, however is still a viable cause of anxiety over one’s self-portrait.
Simply not having the time to prepare.
All three examples touch on very unrelated reasons, but the common thread is a negative feeling about the portrait session.
CONFIDENCE/PRIDE
In my 20+ years experience as a portrait photographer, I have heard every doubt expressed while in my client’s care prior to taking their photo. Many repeated phrases are even worded exactly the same.
Most popular phrases:
I don’t take good photos.
Hope I don’t break your camera.
Can I take your photo instead?
If all of the people who have ever had their headshots taken by me got together in a room and separated onto two couches by their confidence prior to their session, the couch with the least confident and confident-neutral people would seat many, and the others may be able to fit on a love seat. Most importantly, you would not be able to tell the two groups apart. The people who enjoy having their photo taken are not models. Everyone is their own unique shape, size, color, height, and all have eyes, a nose, and most importantly, a smile. The difference is the people on the love seat feel comfortable in their own skin. Both groups eventually feel comfortable with me, according to their testimonies after their session.
I remember specifically feeling surprised when someone comments on their self-doubts as it’s always different from what I’m seeing and the potential of the final image.
While working with me, people feel naturally at ease. They feel comfortable with my professional demeanor, posing skills, calming the most uneasy client, and my natural post-edit skillset.
BEST RESULTS
For best results:
1. Come to your headshot session with a positive outlook, expecting great results. If you are confident in how you carry yourself.
2. Imagine your goals and how to achieve them, and trust that I know your best angles and how to bring the best out of you, your experience will be memorable and enjoyable.
3. Take a look through others’ images on LinkedIn. Perhaps look through profiles of people whom you admire and take note of their approachableness, demeanor, image, posture, and even the colors they wear.
ATTIRE
What you wear is important. I would say wardrobe can be divided up into two categories:
Formal/Professional and Business Casual
Both genders may have a blazer jacket, button-down or blouse, and pants or slacks suited for your body type. If you are comfortable in a dress and skirt, go with your most appropriate, well-fitting look. Both genders should have their hair combed and if preferred, styled as well. Women may or may not wear makeup
Professional headshots are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I can photograph anywhere because I’m mobile. I meet lots of interesting professionals and make wonderful connections in South Florida where I primarily am commissioned. I truly love meeting other professionals and have genuine interest in what other people enjoy and are passionate about.
REMEMBER
Most people who are searching for you already know what you look like in real life and how you make them feel. Your confidence while being photographed shows and is a great reminder of that.
Even today I can still find people using photos I have taken of them many years ago. I see this as a wonderful compliment.