Top 3 Reasons I'm Fan of a Professional Headshot
Last week, I hosted a day to shoot and capture new headshots for members of The Samita Lab Mastermind . Each had expressed a goal coming into the 12-month journey.
We had a stylist to proactively create the vision each wanted to portray. We had 2 professional hair and makeup artists. We had a photographer and a professional studio for the shoot. Album here
I'm not going to lie. Not everyone was bought into the idea.
I can sell ice to an Eskimo these days. But, getting women leaders bought into the idea of a professional headshot was a struggle. I thought long and hard about why
Everyone is Googling you
I learned this fact from online dating many years ago.
The top search result that up when people search for me is my TedTalk. When a date dropped reference to something I said in that talk, I'd sigh.
"You Googled me, huh?"
When contemplating working with you, hiring you, giving you their hard earned paychecks---people are Googling you. I follow Tilman Fertitta, chairman, CEO and owner of the company that owns the Landry’s restaurants, the Houston Rockets, and several big casinos. He is a billionaire. He is also an advocate of the "95-5 rule."
Something can be 95 percent perfect. But what's the 5% that is not? He can walk up to one of his properties and see the weeds, plants dying, a door that needs to be revarnished. "Ninety-five percent of everything was right, and I haven’t even walked in the front door yet. I'm noticing the 5 percent that’s wrong.”
Women often tell me, "I work hard. My work should stand for itself." You're doing the 95%. Go the extra 5% and have a photo that supports your smarts when a complete stranger Googles you.
Professionalism
Your personal image is your brand.
Just today, I was networking on LinkedIn. Ashley is a leadership coach, trained in the Brene Brown leadership methodology. What did I notice first on her profile? She had an excellent professional profile photo. She joked that each time the managing partners get together, they shoot new headshots.
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There are dozens of coaches on Linkedin right now. A professional photo adds credibility. It tells people "I invest in myself. You should consider investing in me too." A cell phone selfie doesn't scream this.
As a young aspiring reporter in New York City, I learned that new headshots were going to cost me $600 (more than I had at the time) I didn't know who would need them, or why. But---- I would hand off a polished, professional photo to all the opportunities that were still coming.
Invest in Yourself
If you’re looking for a promotion or board seat, your future relationship will be looking for someone who would best represent the company. A professional business portrait shows that you’re serious and that you are willing to invest in yourself.
My sales coach Cat Stancek said to look out for the flares people are sending out with their photo:, "Look to connect with the women who have a branded photo. These are people who are INVEST in themselves. They will be willing to invest in your leadership programning too."
My?name?is?Joya?Dass. (I traditionally hire a professional to shoot my events) I made?my?living as a television news anchor for 20 years. I covered the financial markets from the floor of the?New?York Stock Exchange. It was what I wanted to?do?since I was 4 years old.
I forged that career on?my?own and had to build the network to get to New York. Nobody teaches this stuff?in?school.?My?leadership platform today was born out of that personal pain point. You have a goal. You're at a critical inflection point and need the group and accountability to achieve it.
I have a Mastermind. It's called the Samita Lab Mastermind. 2022's cohort is already underway and heading to exotic Marrakech for the annual retreat.
If you would like a glimpse of the training I offer, I'm hosting a Goal Setting Masterclass next Tuesday June 21st. RSVP here
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Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 12:00 PM??How to Be Fearless in Business with Bisi MacGregor
Voice Architect. Communication Expert. TEDx Speaker
2 年Couldn’t agree more. We need those professional headshots!
Experienced Associate Broker @ Douglas Elliman
2 年Beautiful
Owner, Photographer @ Simply Gray Photography & Author of the 50 & Wiser Club Book and Exhibit
2 年Great article Joya. I agree with you 100%. People under estimate the power of a professional headshot. But once they get them done, they never go back!
On a mission to connect us to our humanity | Conscious Communication Creator and Speaker | Public Speaking Expert | Travel Educator | Award-winning Lecturer | Advocate for Rest and the Slow Education Philosophy
2 年Yes! As you said, invest in yourself! Nonverbals (visual communication) such as headshots often speak more powerfully than words. If your photo is someone's first interaction with you (as is often the case with social media and websites), then you are that single two-dimensional snapshot for that person. That's the only story that they know about you. And while all human beings are multi-dimensional, that photo can be the thing that will or will not get you a face-to-face interaction where you can better get to know the full person.
Fashion Stylist & Speaker showing individuals how to showcase their value, visibility, and vibrancy with style. Savors fine art, food, flowers, fragrance, travel, dancing, philanthropy, poetry & Paris.
2 年It's so true Joya Dass ! An individual's "headshot" is more than just a "headshot" It's how one communicates to the world their value and expertise, and you've got 1 shot to get it right. Thank you for having me as the personal stylist for this photoshoot event! It was so rewarding styling each woman and showing them how to own their unique style and project that image of confidence aligned with their goals.