3 reasons why you need a professional headshot!
Do you run your own business? Work as a freelancer? Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Are you on Facebook or Instagram?
If you've answered yes to any of those questions then it's time to put the selfie stick away and book a professional headshot photo session.
Here's 3 reasons why you need a proper headshot:
1. You need to look professional
Whether you run your own business, work as a freelancer or work for a company, you will need a decent headshot. A good headshot will convey your professionalism at work and portray you in the best light. A professional headshot will stand out amongst the array of cropped and blurry selfie images. It will also will show your potential employers, clients and colleagues that you value yourself and that they should too.
2. You can use it in multiple ways
A photographer can work with you to create a set of images that you can use across a number of platforms. You might need something formal for a conference brochure or something informal for a magazine interview. Or, you might be asked for a portrait image for a presentation or a landscape image for an online article. You can use them as profile pictures on Facebook and LinkedIn or on Instagram to introduce yourself to followers. The possibilities are endless. One thing is for certain, it's an investment that you won't regret.
3. It will make you feel good
Having a selection of professional images that you can use will make you feel good. You'll no longer panic when someone asks for a headshot as you'll have a variety of images to choose from. Having a set of great images will raise your self esteem and give you one less thing to worry about.
This year already I've taken lots of professional headshots for local business people, from physiotherapists to dentists, actors to freelancers and consultants to writers. Each session is tailored to create a set of images to portray them in a way that makes them feel professional and proud. In the next few weeks I'll be photographing a ceramics artist, a harpist and a therapist - each session will be totally bespoke for their needs. Keep an eye on my social media platforms to see them!
Have a look below at a selection of my favourites images from this year. What does your profile picture say about you?
Book your headshot session today!
See my headshot & commercial portfolio.
Find out more about a headshot & business photo session.
Personal Branding Headshot Shoot
Meet Rhiannon. She's a freelance writer and blogger based in Cardiff, South Wales. You can read her hilarious honest writing on her blog The Daily Boyle.
I've been doing quite a lot of headshot and personal branding shoots so far this year but I have to say this is one of my favourites. With such a variety of settings and amazing light, I was like a kid in a sweetshop.
What is personal branding?
If like me, you work for yourself and run your own business, then you ARE your brand. It's important to be able to portray yourself and your business to clients. It's vital for them to believe and trust in you - as a person and a brand.
A quick selfie might do the job in the short term but it's worth investing in some professional photography for the future. Personal branding shoots can include anything that helps to portray you and your business. Images can then be used across your website and social media platforms.
For Rhiannon's shoot - I wanted to show all the different sides of her. Yes, she's funny and friendly and down to earth but she's also a writer. Her writing covers all sorts of areas, some happy, sad, serious, funny and thoughtful. I wanted to capture all sides of her personality so that she can use the images for her blog as and when she needs them.
If you're interested in booking a personal branding shoot, then prices start at only £199. Bespoke packages can be created to suit your needs - each business is different and I'm happy to have a chat and create a package that suits each individual. Find out more on my pricing page and see more images on my headshots & commercial portfolio. Follow my very latest work on my Instagram account too!
Why is personal branding so important?
Why do you need a personal branding photo shoot?
In this day and age branding is super important. You'd have to be living in a cave if you weren't aware of the impact of brands. It's not just big businesses that rely on branding to get their message across. It's equally important for small businesses too - it runs through every aspect of a business. How you want to portray your business to your clients, the look and feel of your products and service, your logo, your website and your web presence.
Personal branding extends to include not only your business but yourself as well. If you provide a service then your clients will want to get to know you. They will want to see what you look like, perhaps see images of you at work as well as just a portrait of you.
Running your own business is a very personal undertaking and so it's important to be able to have images that portray you - do you want to be seen as corporate, arty, relaxed, fun, serious, creative? Do you want to include where you work, the tools that you use on a daily basis etc.
If you don't run your own business, it's still important to have a set of images that illustrate your working life. You many need images to feature in a programme, for a conference, on the back of a book, for your LinkedIn profile, CV - even your dating profile!
I really enjoy working with local businesses and business folk in and around Cardiff to get the images that they need. Over the years I've photographed businesswomen, businessmen, writers, actors, graphic designers, builders and even a mermaid. I've included a little selection of images below.
If you need to update your personal branding images - drop me a line to find out more. Visit my headshots & commercial pricing page and headshots & commercial portfolio page.
Siriol needed some headshots for her radio and acting work.
Scott needed to update his LinkedIn profile.
Rhiannon uses her images on her blog and Instagram account.
Kate uses her images on her Instagram account for her ceramics business - Skratch Ceramics.
The Home Physio Company
Newbridge Software
Mermaid Adventures
NKG Construction
Business Headshot Photography
Business headshot shoot on a weekend away! I recently went away for the night with my very good friend Sheila. She lives in London and I live in South Wales so we don't get to see each other very often.
She needed to update her headshots for her new website so we took the opportunity to nip into the beautiful restaurant at the St Bride's Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot (where we stayed) to take a few shots. It's a fantastic hotel with spectacular views and the service there is exceptional. I highly recommend a visit.
The views from the restaurant are gorgeous - I've included a shot of the view out of the window for you to see.
If you need to update your headshot or need images for your business, have a look at my headshot and business photography packages and my headshot portfolio and then drop me a line to arrange a bespoke session.
Headshot sessions are 1 hour and include a selection of images for you to choose from and use. Commercial photography shoots are longer and include staff headshots as well. You can see lots of examples of my work with businesses in South Wales on my blog.
If you want to find out more, drop me a line for a chat.
Business Headshots with Claire
"I've got some great images, absolutely love the garage shots...I really enjoyed the shoot." Claire
Meet Claire. Claire is Mum of two gorgeous children (you might have seen her family session a few months ago on my website). Now that the kids are getting a bit older Claire, a dancer and physiotherapist, has decided to bring her knowledge and passion from her previous jobs into a brand new business.
Tell us about your new business venture
Why did you decide to start the business?
What were you doing before you started your business?
How do you juggle being a mother and working at the same time?
What do you love most about being a mother?
Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to start their own business?
