Who needs a head shot?
The value of a good photograph
Do you need a professional business portrait? Your first answer might be "no," but:
· Do you have a Web site? Does it include a personal bio?
· Do you publish a Blog?
· Do you or will you ever issue press releases?
· Does your company have a newsletter?
· Are you in a leadership position in a professional organization?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, a professional portrait may be a good investment (although it doesn't have to be a really expensive one).
How many times have you wondered, "Why do real estate agents put their pictures on everything?" You can come up with dozens of clever comebacks, but the fact of the matter is that a real estate agent really has only one thing to sell: themselves. The best real estate agents are true professionals and their business portrait reflects that. They make eye contact with the camera and appear poised, trustworthy and approachable - like someone that you would want to represent your biggest personal asset: your property.
So, if a real estate agent's face is their brand, the more properties they represent, the more opportunities they have to promote their brand. It really isn't any different than Dunkin' Donuts, Bank of America, or any other corporation placing their logo behind every sports figure giving an interview after a game. The real estate industry "got it" a long time ago and today more and more professionals that are ancillary to the real estate transaction use business portraits: mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, and home inspectors.
Now, your business may depend upon more than selling yourself, but any time you can connect your name and your business with a pleasing, professional image of you, the association will have a positive impact on your customers' perceptions. And if you want to change or improve your position in your marketplace, an up-to-date portrait is a great place to start.
So ask yourself again: Do you need a professional business portrait? If the answer is now "yes," here are some things to avoid:
· Never, ever stand in front of a wall
· Don't take a photo of yourself in a mirror with a mobile phone
· Avoid those little photo booths at the mall
· Don't cut your face out of a group shot
· Pass on passport photos
· Do not scan a print
And you'll have much better results if you:
· Choose a professional photographer that specializes in business portraits
· Verify that the photographer has experience creating digital files for both Web and print purposes
· Ask for images that work in both color and black & white
· Wear clothing that fits well and makes you feel good (but not solid black or white, or checked patterns)
· Have your hair cut ahead of time, so it can "settle in"
· Women: wear your "every day" make-up (do a makeover some other time)
· Get a good night's sleep before the shoot
About the Author:
Jay Groccia is the Principal Photographer for OnSite Studios(tm) in Boylston. He specializes in professional portraits and architecture, photographing top real estate agents and their high-end listings for magazine covers, brochures, and other marketing tools and is an Authorized Photographer for the OnlinePropertyShowcase(tm).
He is a member of the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, the Central Mass Business Council and the WoodSquareCircle business networking group. His website is www.OnSiteStudios.com.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments