Why Headshot Photos are Important

Why Headshot Photos are Important

The Power of Headshots: Why personal branding matters

personal branding photo

In this digital world, your online presence matters. And your headshot could be someone’s first impression of you.

Whether you’re looking for a new job or well established in your industry, headshots are a crucial investment in your personal brand.

 

Here are my Top 5 reasons why Headshot Photo Sessions are important:

  • Create a strong first impression: Your headshot is often the first thing viewers see when they visit your website, LinkedIn or social media profile. A professional headshot can present you as you wish to be perceived (warm and welcoming, stern and capable, friendly and silly, etc.) According to the Association for Psychological Science, it only takes 1/10th of a second for someone to form a first impression of you.

headshot on orange background

  • Build the “Know, Like and Trust” Factor: People can get a sense of your personality from your headshot photos. A polished headshot can convey professionalism and trustworthiness. A playful headshot can convey approachability and friendliness. A good branding photographer will help capture your exact personality.

headshot photo on white background

  • Personal Branding: Your headshot is part of your Personal Brand. It should reflect your personality, style and values. It also shows your most up-to-date look.

headshot photo

  • Make connections: People connect better online with photos of people, not logos or abstract concepts. A headshot humanizes your brand, allowing your audience to connect with the person behind the business. It adds an important personal touch, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust.

headshot photo on black background

  • Invest in your succcess: Consider a professional branding photo session an investment in your success. It shows your commitment to your career and will help you grow.

To summarize, headshots are not just photos – they are tools you can use to shape your online presence and career path.

Investing in a personal branding photo session is an investment in your future. Headshot photos are important in first impressions and in opening doors to new opportunities.

If you’re looking for an Austin Branding Photographer to collaborate with on a headshot photo shoot, drop me a line.

 

Want more information on a Branding Photo Session?

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What are the six must-have shots in a Branding Photography Session?

What are the six must-have shots in a Branding Photography Session?

Using a framework to tell your business story

what are the six categories for a branding photo session

You’re a small business owner looking for a library of visual content to use on your website, social media pages and marketing newsletters.

How do you make sure you have enough variety to fit all these categories?

If we work together, I’ll use my Branding Framework to ensure your complete story is shown. Visuals and definitions are below. 

establishing shot example

  • ESTABLISHING SHOT: Images that set up the context for your business. Usually a wide angle that sets the scene.

environmental portrait example

  • ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT: Images that show the subject’s work and nearby surroundings – with more focus on the individual.detail shot example
  • DETAIL SHOT: Close-up shots that focus on tools or props.

close-up headshot example

  • CLOSE-UP HEADSHOT: What I call the “LinkedIn shot” – just a simple image of a person’s face and upper body

action shot example

  • ACTION SHOT: Images that show a person at work. Tends to be more candid than posed.

personality shot example

  • PERSONALITY SHOT: More creative and playful imagery that showcase a business owner’s character.

These are the six categories I like to include in every Standard and Premium Branding Photo Session.

When planning your Branding Photo Session, we’ll work together to create a shot list that includes all of these categories.

These images were taken for Tyrone A/C & Heating.

Intersted in a Branding photo session?

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Castillo Drywall – Branding Photo Session

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Branding Photo Session for local Drywall Company: Castillo Drywall

Austin, Texas

Castillo Drywall offers drywall services in Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas in Texas.

They look for potential clients in the construction industry: Architects, Builders, General Contractors & Homeowners.
They specialize in custom residentials, offering a wide variety of textures, smooth finishes and hand made textures.
For Castillo Drywall’s branding session, we met at a beautiful house under contstruction in West Austin. The focus of their session was to show:
  • The owners and some employees
  • Tools of the trade
  • Drywall work in progress
close-up of hand putting drywall on a house wall

Please check out some of my favorite images from this session below and contact me if you’d like to book your own branding photo session for your business.

1. What prompted you to have this photo session? We wanted to show our drywall work as an art to our clients. We also wanted to show how we deliver exceptional customer service and professional craftsmanship. 

2. How did you choose your location for your session?We selected this beautiful house to showcase the Austin area which is growing and custom residentials which are in demand for new residents.

This project offers a smooth finish and nice natural light. These options are also very trendy.

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? I would recommend to be prepared with tools, outfits (show your business logo) and any equipment than can show the business or industry you’re in.

4. Anything else you’d like to add? We had a great experience, very friendly environment and easy instructions for the photo shoot. 

Interested in a photo session?

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PMI Workshop – Headshot Sessions

PMI Workshop – Headshot Sessions

Headshot Photos from the PMI Workshop

The Project Management Institute of Austin held a Career Day Workshop in March 2023.

PMI banner in front of doors

The last event of the day was headshots for each participant.

See below for instructions on accessing the images:

1) Visit the Gallery Link

2) To open the Gallery, enter your email address and the password “March2023

3) Scroll down to find the images you want to download and click the “Download” icon or choose “Download All”

4) You can also purchase prints by selecting “Buy Photo”

Please contact me if you have any questions or issues accessing the images.

Thank you!

1. What prompted you to have this photo session? PMI Austin Professional Development team wanted to elevate our Career Day Workshop for attendees to have headshots to highlight their brand.

2. How did you choose your location for your session? ESO sponsored our event with their AMAZING facility; it was the ideal location in the Domain.

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? One lesson learned is to have the photo session earlier in the day versus at the end of the event.

4. Anything else you’d like to add? Stephanie Friedman Photography was an exceptional business partner for this event; the utmost customer experience was provided to everyone who chose to take a headshot.

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Headshot Mini Sessions – A Light Collab Studio

Headshot Mini Sessions – A Light Collab Studio

Need a new profile picture?

headshot mini session infographic

Book Now for my upcoming event!

WHEN: Saturday, April 8th, 2023 – 3:00pm-5:00pm

WHERE: A Light Collab Studio, 2512 W Pecan St #190, Pflugerville, TX 78660

WHAT: 30 minutes, up to two outfits, minimum 5 hi-res files, $165

DETAILS: Check out the Calendar Link below to grab your spot ($50 deposit required)

April calendar showing headshot mini session booking dates

 

Let me know you'll be there!

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How to Prepare for your Headshot Session

How to Prepare for your Headshot Session

What goes into a successful headshot photo session?

So, you’ve done the first step – booked your headshot session. What comes next?

 

  • As the photographer, I’ll start by asking you some questions about what you do for a living and how you want to use your new photos.
  • Depending on your answers – we’ll work together to pick a location.
  • You will be responsible for choosing your outfits (though I’ll send you some general guidance ahead of time) and getting your hair and face camera-ready
  • At your session, I’ll provide plenty of instructions to make you feel comfortable and confident
  • After your session, I’ll do some light retouching to provide you with an accurate but flattering new profile picture
list showing what the photographer does and what the client does to prepare for a headshot session

Please check out some of my favorite images from a recent headshot portrait session below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.

1. What prompted you to have this photo session? I haven’t had new headshots since 2014 – almost 10 years! A little over a year ago, I become the Chief Business Officer for the College of Education. My intention was to align new headshots with my new role. I’ve been a bit busy (ha!) – and I’m finally happy to get new headshots that match me as a person now.

2. How did you choose your location for your session? Nothing like the appeal of 1970s architecture to really inspire you! It’s work. My work location chose it for me. Do I wish I still worked in the Tower – yeah – she’s pretty. But, Stephanie did a fantastic job at finding compelling, artistic spots to shoot at, given what she had to work with. kudos!

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? All the external stuff was easy – clothes, hair, make-up. i think wrangling the inner dialogue is the hard part. it’s all about telling yourself you’re a badass and then believing it.

4. Anything else you’d like to add? Posing can feel really awkward, especially as an adult. Fun fact, I learned my serious face is my mom face.  Stephanie’s directions were straight-forward and easy to follow – I felt immediately comfortable once we got going. Turns out, posing can also be really fun.

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