Why Professional Headshots Outperform Candids as Profile Photos

Your profile photo is as much about the effort you put into it as it is about the image itself.

The profile photo/headshot you use for LinkedIn, your website, or wherever you have an online presence sends dozens of subtle (and not so subtle!) messages about you. Most importantly, it provides insight into your professionalism, your self worth, and the value you place on your work

Most people on LinkedIn use their favorite candid photo of themselves for their profile photo. It's understandable; using an existing photo or even taking a quick selfie is cheaper and less time consuming than having a professional image created, not to mention it avoids the stress many people feel at the thought of standing in front of lighting and a camera.

On the surface, this all makes sense. But you need to go deeper and understand the real purpose of your profile photo/headshot. It's to market yourself and/or your business to people who want to hire professional, trustworthy, competent people to solve the problems that are holding them back from greater success.

Here’s the bottom line. LinkedIn is a place for professionals looking for connections that will help in advancing their careers and businesses. It is a marketing platform, and your job is to market yourself as a confident, competent, and contributing member of both the network and your profession. — Charles Cotugno, Seattle Headshot Photographer

Candid photos and selfies are not effective tools to showcase what makes you a trusted expert in your industry. In some cases, candids and selfies can do more harm than good to your brand. That's why your headshot needs to be treated like any other component of your marketing. It requires the same amount of forethought and effort if you want it to do what it's supposed to do; benefit your business and career.

What Makes A Professional Headshot So Much Better For You?

By any measure, a properly created professional headshot is far more effective in attracting your best clients than any candid or selfie. What do I mean by properly created? Here are the key ingredients.

• Overall, you are well lit. People are able to read your general demeanor, your level of confidence, and you visually convey that you are approachable and open to communicating with them.
• Your eyes are well lit. The eyes are the most important part of your image and must immediately draw the viewer’s attention. So many headshots, even professionally created ones, leave the eyes too dark; they look gray voids. The sclera (eye whites) need to be white and the photographer must know how to keep your pupils small to ensure the iris and it's color and detail are easily visible and the sharpest part of the image.
• Your eyes are opened the right amount. Too wide and you look like a deer in the headlights and lacking confidence. Too narrow and we can't see the them. It's a delicate balance.
• A basic, subtle background. Backgrounds that are busy take attention away from you as do backgrounds with very loud colors. White, a shade of gray, or a subtle color work best.
• The right camera height. I see so many headshots where the camera is looking down on the subject. That means the viewer is also looking down on you, putting you in a position of weakness. You also want to avoid the camera being at such a low angle that it implies arrogance or superiority. Your headshot should have you appear about an inch taller than the viewer; enough to imply you are an expert in your field and can be trusted.
• You have a great expression. One that reveals something about your personality while also showing you as confident and approachable.

The Amazing Hidden Benefit of a Professional Headshot!

There is one other important and widely overlooked advantage to using a professional headshot; very few people use them for their profile photo! That means you have an opportunity to stand out as a much more qualified and competent candidate than the others you are competing against.

It Sucks, But...

As much as people make a best effort to place a priority on qualifications, there's no escaping the fact that how you present yourself can have a huge impact as to how you are perceived. We can't help it; it's part of every living being's defense system. You could be the most qualified person in the world in your profession but if your visual image does not immediately sned that message, potential clients are likely to move on to other options without making the effort to learn about your capabilities and qualifications.

Having a professional headshot requires an investment of both time and funds. But so does every other component your marketing. So why short change the literal face of your business, what provides a lasting impression on your the very people you're trying to attract?

If you're not using a professional headshot, or it's been more than two years since your last one, give some serious consideration to having one created.

Charlie Cotugno is the owner of Charles Cotugno Photography and is a Seattle headshot photographer/specialist. His clients range from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. Charlie is also a sought-after speaker on the topic of leveraging photography for career advancement and marketing success, as well as implementing the creative process for innovation in the workplace. To learn how Charlie can guide you through your visual imaging process, visit www.CCheadshots.com, email [email protected], or call/text 425.501.9725.