19 Jul Professional headshot photographer in San Jose, CA
Gone are the days when professional headshots were used almost exclusively by company executives and actors. Anyone interested in promoting their business or brand, or advancing their professional careers, will benefit from engaging the services of a well-qualified photographer to take their professional headshot. Whether your headshot is used on a social media platform, your business’ marketing materials, or a company directory, you have a vested interest in looking your best. The easiest way to look your best is through the lens of a professional headshot photographer. Shellee Fisher Photography & Design is the premier professional headshot photographer in San Jose.
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San Jose professional headshot photographer
Investing in a high-quality, professionally taken headshot is an investment in your personal brand. It shows you at your best, which is how you want prospective clients and peers to see you. To make sure your headshot captures a high quality image that conveys a message about you and your brand, it is critically important to select a well-qualified photographer for your professional headshot. Amateur photography can produce a photograph that barely resembles what you look like in person and often does little to capture you at your best. A professional photographer in San Jose that specializes in headshots, knows how to position you for the photograph, how to choose the best backdrop, how to use lighting to get the best shot possible, and how to edit the photograph to make you look your professional best.
In that social media has taken on such a significant role in how we promote ourselves, our business, or our brands, having a professional headshot is now more important than ever. Since you have the ability to use a professional headshot as your profile image on most social media platforms, you have a real opportunity to market yourself to a broad audience. Your internet presence, coupled with the more traditional uses of headshots (think business card), means that a lot of people are going to see that photograph. You have every reason to look your best.
Make your first impression count with a professional headshot. Having a polished professional image speaks volumes about both you and your brand. Look to Shellee Fisher Photography & Design as your headshot photographer of choice in San Jose.
Professional headshots photographers in San Jose
You’ve probably heard of the saying it’s best to “put your best face forward“, especially during the beginning of or while promoting your career. Simply put, people decide all kinds of things about you within the first few seconds of seeing your picture – from your level of intelligence to your socio-economic status and even sexual preferences. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
So you may be asking yourself if you really need a professional photographer to take your headshot just to make a good impression? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” You are making an investment in your brand and that investment pays dividends. Do you want to send a message that you are approachable or determined or well-qualified or something altogether different? Then having a professional photographer will make all the difference.
So why are professional headshots in San Jose so important
Your headshot is like the logo of your personal brand. Everything you do should be done in concert with your brand. For instance, if you are a fly fishing guide, having a picture of you in a suit and tie does very little to promote your brand. A photograph of you alongside a stream wearing a fishing vest with a fly rod in hand does promote your brand. Sometimes, simply getting a new headshot to replace one that’s a little dated can be a boost to your business or your brand. A new headshot is a good way to get noticed by both those around you and a whole new audience of prospective recruiters, clients, and even those seeking a romantic relationship.
A professional photographer makes a difference. Your photographer is an expert at their craft – they have the right equipment, understand composition and lighting, know how to “shoot” the subject and are skilled at post-production editing. It is your photographer’s job to make you look great. Don’t leave that task to a friend with a camera on their phone – you are not going to get the same results.
A professional businessperson in San Jose requires a professional headshot
Being a professional has as much to do with one’s image as it does education or salary. You need to well represent your business and your brand (whether you’re an actor, real estate professional, doctor, lawyer, financial services provider, or entrepreneur). Whether you use your headshot on your company website, social media, or even on your business card, you are always representing your business. Make sure your image is polished by utilizing the services of a San Jose professional photographer for your headshot.
It’s the age of social media and networking
It’s no surprise that, in today’s world, social media is the go-to source for connecting with others for personal and business purposes. You certainly need to look your professional best for your LinkedIn profile if you are sincere about marketing your talents. A professional headshot lets people know you are committed to your brand and the work you do.
Who needs a professional headshot photographer in San Jose
Anyone and everyone can benefit from having a professional headshot at their disposal. Here are some groups of people who typically require the use of a professional headshot.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are always looking to get ahead with their brand and business. A professional headshot is definitely a step in the right direction since it is often the first impression others will have of you and your business. A professionally shot photograph identifies you with your brand and connects you to your consumer. Confidence in your product can often be conveyed in something as simple as a headshot – so make it a good one.
Those in professional services (i.e. lawyers, doctors, consultants, real estate agents, financial planners)
As with any industry, competition among professional service providers can be extremely fierce. Have you ever seen a gimmicky photograph of a car salesman and said to yourself “I’m never buying a car from that guy.” Well, don’t be “that guy”. First impressions are critical in marketing professional services. Your image, your first impression, conveys a specific message about who you are professionally and the quality of the services you offer. Would you want to hire a lawyer who is unprepared or a physician who is not qualified? Your image represents the quality of the services you offer. Don’t undersell the quality of your services with a photograph that is not from a professional photographer.
Public figures
Elected officials represent the interests of their electors. In fact, any public official or public figure deeply understands the scrutiny of being in the public eye. As such, an investment in a professional photographer for your headshot will pay dividends almost immediately. Your professional photographer will help you take control of your public image.
Those active on LinkedIn
Whether LinkedIn is being used to find a new job, or just maintained regularly for networking purposes, a professional headshot should always be the profile picture. Using candids, or low-quality pictures as the main picture is not the best practice, especially when trying to reach out to others in a professional setting. Using a professional headshot to convey your message shows others you are willing to make an investment in your image and your brand as a confident career driven individual.
Aspiring models and actors
The acting and modeling industry is heavily reliant on appearances and having a professional headshot is an absolute must. Headshots are meant to make a statement, and, in some cases, that headshot may be your only opportunity to make an impression. Following some simple guidelines before taking the headshot is a great way to ensure that you get the results desired and have a high-quality headshot to send for prospective modeling or acting jobs.
Prepare for your professional headshot in San Jose
There are many things to consider when preparing for your professional headshot. You will want to give some thought to everything from hair and makeup to posture and pose in advance of meeting with your photographer for your professional headshot. The most important tip is to relax and have fun with your photographer.
Think about what you are going to wear
You will need to spend some time considering what you will wear. It is important that your look matches the image you’re trying to convey. What you wear on a daily basis is a great place to start. Solid colors are always a good choice, as are tops with strong collars and necklines. Even though you’ll only be shot from the shoulders up, it’s important you’re pulled together from head to toe since you may want a shot or two that are pulled back a bit. Select clothes that complement your skin and eye tones.
If your headshot will be taken in a uniform, trade specific outfit, or something unique to the purpose of the headshot, you already have all the direction you need regarding what to wear for your professional headshot. Otherwise, you will want to select an outfit that is professional, photographs well, and is classically timeless. You will want to avoid bright colors and bold patterns, graphic logo t-shirts (or anything else that make you look less than professional) and stay away from clothing with shiny fabric. Also patterns and thin stripes don’t work well on camera and computer screens.
Some headshots are used both in color and in black and white; it’s important to keep that in mind when selecting your outfit. Something that may look great together in color, may not necessarily be so complimentary in black and white.
The best advice for selecting what to wear for your professional headshot is to keep it simple. For instance, a navy or charcoal suit for men are pretty much the gold standards for outfit selection for men. Paired with a simple tie and understated shirt, these color options are always going to photograph well. The same holds true for women; something simple – a business suit with a complimentary color pattern usually works best. It’s also not ideal to over-accessorize.
Shiny skin
A professional photographer will likely be using artificial lighting for your headshot. One of the downsides of studio lighting is that it will often make your skin look shiny or greasy. While some of that can be addressed through editing, you will want to take some steps to minimize how shiny your skin appears. Whether it is using a little concealer or foundation or simply patting your face dry, do what you can to make sure your face is looking its best. Be well rested!
Your hair
Photoshopping hair can be difficult, so you will want to show up for your headshot looking like you just stepped out of the salon.
Makeup
As with all decisions for your headshot, less tends to be more. You want the image to be a high quality representation of your professional self.
Glasses
It is up to you whether or not you wear glasses for your headshot. While wearing glasses can create a glare, it’s probably wise to wear them if most people see you in glasses. If you wear your glasses sparingly, you may want to consider not wearing them. I advise my clients to do what is most comfortable and most accurately reflects them professionally.
If you decide to wear your glasses, there are a couple of things that are really worth doing. Firs, make sure your glasses are good and clean and free of any smudges. Make sure your glasses have a good fit snug for your shot; you don’t want the glasses sliding down the bridge of your nose and covering, at least in part, your eyes from a clear view.
Your best side
It is important to share information with your photographer. If you have a “best side”, let your photographer know. If there is a particular feature you would not like emphasized in the shot, it’s best to communicate that to your photographer as well.
Relax
Have faith in your photographer and trust in their expertise for your headshot. Many clients come in nervously and need a little time to relax. Practice your best relaxation techniques so that you appear natural in your headshot.
Smile
Smiling can be a tricky proposition for some people. Trust me, it is easier than you think. The most important thing is for your smile not to look fake which is why it is best to relax. It helps to think of something funny that will bring out your genuine and natural smile. There are, however, decisions to be made: do you smile with your lips open or closed? Or do you avoid smiling altogether. Ask your photographer what they think suits you best. You can always select your headshot from a few options after reviewing with family and friends.
Don’t forget to look in the mirror
Lastly, don’t forget to look at yourself in the mirror before meeting with your photographer. So just give yourself the once over to make sure that you’re happy with the way you look – your hair looks good, your jewelry is properly positioned, your tie is straight, your lipstick is smudge-free, and, of course, there is no food in between your teeth. Then it’s time to turn everything over to the trusted hands of your photographer.