Madison’s Professional Headshots
Spokane portrait photographer
The “Headshot Refresh”
Madison came to me earlier this year with an issue that I feel many business women have encountered at some point in their career. Her headshots were * less * than ideal. They were not high quality and more importantly, they didn’t represent her. She needed a headshot refresh.
In this blog post I will cover ways that you can make your headshots unique, why your brand matters, and how getting your professional headshots done can be a simple and FUN process.
Adding the “personal touch”
When looking to book a photographer for professional headshots it is so important that your vision comes to life. This can be as simple as being intentional with the outfit you pick out or as complex as designing an entire set for your photographs. I am a natural light photographer which means I am usually taking my clients to specific areas around Spokane.
For this shoot Madison and I explored a local coffee shop in downtown Spokane and then popped over to Gonzaga University where we knew we would find beautiful architecture and plenty of space to shoot. Madison graduated with her Masters degree from Gonzaga so this was a perfect opportunity for her to create a personal touch with her headshots. By using multiple locations and allowing time for an outfit change, Madison’s brand was brought to life with quality images that she can use for future marketing and social media purposes.
“Meredith, I don’t have a brand.”
Yes, you have a brand.
Just because you may not own your own business doesn’t mean you don’t have a brand. Your brand is the style, professionalism and expertise that you bring forward into your career- and this is important. Whether you are looking for a new job or being recruited for your dream position your headshots could make or break whether you land the gig. Companies do some deep diving into the internet to figure out if you are the right fit and this begins with that tiny little photo you uploaded into LinkedIn 10 years ago. Your brand deserves more than a grainy photograph of you in a mediocre shirt.
Your LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter or even Facebook is the first place a potential employer is going to look when they see your name on a resume or application. Professional headshots set the tone for that employer’s interaction with you and can set you apart from other candidates immediately. You didn’t even have to try!
How about that business card? Is it just a boring rectangle with numbers on it? Spice it up with a quality headshot that leaves a personal impression.
What does a session look like?
My headshot sessions are client-specific. The theme of your session is completely up to you. We work together to bring forward your profession, interests and style in a way that accurately portrays you and your brand.
Madison is an accountant but is also SO fun and playful. We combined both of these traits to make her session traditional, yet unique and fun in so many ways.
When we first jump on a call to discuss your headshots we will run through your priorities- do you need a new LinkedIn picture? Are you drafting a business card? Those specific must-have shots will be at the top of our priority list and from there we can work together to decide on a location, time and discuss outfits if needed.
For many people, being in front of a camera is not natural- especially a larger camera with an intimidating lens attached to it. I get it. It can be awkward. That’s why I am so impressed by all of my clients who triumph over that discomfort, book a session and persevere to capture their memories. That fires me up and it’s why I love portraiture.
For Madison’s session the priority was a new LinkedIn photo. As soon as we knew we got a few options in each outfit for that, we had FUN. This where I do all the work and you just sit back in that cute outfit and be the model that you totally are. I promise, you are more of a natural than you think.
As a portrait photographer I am the most excited when I have my camera pointed at someone. It is my own personal way of storytelling and creating. While I love the outdoors and a beautiful sunset over a mountain there is nothing quite like getting to document a season of someone’s life.
Taking photos can be a way to celebrate your style and your career. Looking back, you will be SO glad you had them.
I hope I could give you some inspiration for your next headshot or I have convinced you that you are so, so worth the headshot refresh. If you have any questions about your next round of professional headshots, feel free to fill out a contact form here and I will get back to you ASAP.
Looking to see more of my work? Click here to view my galleries.
Thanks for hanging out with me!
Cheers,
Meredith
