Now that social media has become such a huge part of the business world, professional head shots are more in demand than ever. LinkedIn, the largest online professional network in the world, has over 400 million members, with an average of 2 new members joining per second. And what is one of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile? Your profile photo! According to a Forbes article published in 2013, users with a profile photo are seven times more likely to have their profile viewed than users without one.
Deciding what kind of photo you should use for your professional head shot really depends on your industry and on the impression that you are trying to make. There are two types of head shots—corporate and editorial. Someone currently working in or looking to start a job in the corporate world may choose a corporate head shot—business attire, looking straight at the camera, natural smile, with a basic backdrop. A candidate or employee who is looking for a more casual but still professional feel may choose to go the editorial route—a more natural expression such as mid-laughter or a half-smile, and typically looking to the side of the camera and not right at the lens.
Whichever style you choose (maybe a combination of both), the purpose of a head shot is to give an employer, client, colleague, etc., a great initial impression of you. You want something that represents you as a person—so don’t fake it! Being in front of the camera with a backdrop behind you and a giant light box in front of you can be a little intimidating, but if you’re working with one of our Whole Heart Studios photographers, he or she will know to engage you in conversation and get you talking (and smiling) in a natural way that conveys your professional personality to anyone who comes across your profile.