There are a few roadblocks when it comes to getting a new headshot that will be perfect for your next speaking engagement, LinkedIn profile or to share on your website and social media. Here are the 5 myths about headshots in New Orleans that as a professional photographer in New Orleans I have run into again and again. And I’m here to clear the air so you can move forward from what’s holding you back from sharing a portrait of yourself that you love.
If you have ever felt overwhelmed or intimidated by the idea of a professional photo, you are not alone. Short of those yearly school photos we took every year, being the only subject in front of a professional photographer is nerve wracking as an adult and you probably don’t have a lot of practice. But what if I tell you the reasons you are saying “maybe later” are actually misconceptions about the process and result?
Let’s debunk five common myths!
Table of Contents
Showing My Picture Won’t Help Me in Business
A high-quality headshot or professional portrait is so important to your visibility and not just for extroverts. And it’s not all about self-promotion. The About page or Team page on most websites are the 2nd most visited page. People want to see the faces of who they will be working with. A great professional headshot shows off your confidence and expertise in your field. It doesn’t have to be too personal, but showing your personality goes a long way in engaging readers and employers. Just a few reasons you might need a new headshot include speaker photo, press release, conference, new promotion or even retiring.
I Need to Loose Weight Before My Headshot
This is one of the first things I hear when a client reaches out. They are ready to book their headshot, but they really wish they had a little more time to slender down first. Okay, putting all the body positive stuff aside, did you know that being photographed by a professional who knows how to pose you in a flattering way will take off 10 pounds! It’s true, how you stand, bend you leg, place your hands, tilt your chin… How you pose makes a difference in the final pictures whether you feel like you need to loose weight first or not. Trust that as a professional I’m there to make you feel relaxed and confident, even if you don’t at first.
I Don’t Have the Time for a Photoshoot
From the moment you reach out and we discuss what you are looking for and what you do, the process is streamlined. We will pick one location such as your office, a neighborhood in New Orleans or perhaps your home. And that’s it. On the day of, your headshot photoshoot will take about 25-minutes and I will lead you all the way. Branding photography can take up to an hour. And if this is for your team, each portraits will take even less time as we will be mainstreaming out location and posing. Finding the right New Orleans photographer will help in a quick and enjoyable process for new headshot photos.
Headshots Are Stuffy and Dated
Professional portraits and headshots have come a long way, especially for women. So many professional women in New Orleans have reached out that they need a headshot that they like, instead of the one somebody at work took in front of a wall. Gone are the boring, matching backdrops. The stiff look and straight on angles. Women (and men) are being photographed in flattering light with depth, greenery and a sense of environment behind them. And showing a laugh and looking off to the side is a wonderful way to show your personality more. What you wear can be more creative these days, representing your business and you. Check out my guide on What to Wear for Headshots in New Orleans.
Any Photo Will Do
We all know how to take a decent selfie these days, and that looking up angle looks good. But…. Is it professional? Getting a professional photographer to take your headshot will include not only a flattering angle, but good lighting and a clean background that helps you pop. It also reflects a higher level of dedication to your career. And if your headshot photos are over 3-years-old, it’s time to update it!
Bonus Myth
Any Photographer Will Do
This one is a little personal, so here’s my elevator pitch. Find a photographer that makes you feel comfortable. They should listen to your concerns and if you have any anxiety about being in front of a camera address them. Your photographer should be able to engage you in conversation to get your mind off of staring at a lens and instead coax you to laugh and smile in a natural way.
It’s important to be photographed in a way that represents your brand; a really good photographer should help you find the right location and discuss what to wear. It’s also important to find a photographer whose style matches what you are looking for, are you looking for environmental portraits and a creative headshot or a more formal corporate headshot in a studio setting. There are a lot of New Orleans portrait photographers, make sure you pick the one that works for you. Check out my guide on How to Feel Comfortable in Front of a Camera for Headshots for a few tips.
Your final headshot photos should be ready in a timely matter with clarity about the level of retouching they are comfortable with, you don’t want to end up with an overdone retouched photo that doesn’t look like you. Instead, retouching should enhance your face by gently removing dark circles under your eyes, blemishes and stray hairs. Providing great service to clients is a big part of my job and not always common with photographer.
5 Myths About Headshots in New Orleans Debunked!
If you are ready to move past the myths that are holding you back from a gorgeous photo of yourself and some beautiful branding photos to use for your business, reach out, as a New Orleans photographer I would love to work with you! Want to know more about what branding photography is if it’s right for you? Check out this blog post on Branding Photo Session | Telling Your Story.
And check out this blog post by the fabulous Bay Area photographer Christina Koci Hernandez on why celebrating your team with new headshots is a huge gift to your employees and a boost to your business. You can read more here about Why Your Selfie Won’t Cut it
