Social Media and Your Photos

Social Media and Your Photos

Social Media is a great excuse to present yourself in the best light. If you are looking for a new job, launching a new business, or just want to have a nice image come up when people search for you, it is time to get a professional headshot!

Take a look at my before and after social media photos at the top. Though the concert photo shows I am a fun and friendly person that enjoys 90s rock (Weezer!), it doesn’t let potential clients know that I am professional and trustworthy. In the second photo, I still look fun and approachable, but it is a photo I can use across my social media and at the same time convey that I am a responsible business owner.

Depending on what you are trying to convey, you may want to wear something traditional, such as a suit or power dress.  Trying to promote a specific skill or business? Let’s take photos of you in action (dancing, singing, cooking, etc) or posing next to equipment or in the clothes you would wear to do it (scuba, anyone?).

Once your photos are all said and done, choose one or two of your favorite photos to use across all of your profiles to create a familiarity with potential clients or employers.

Wondering what to wear?

Color

What you wear depends on what you are trying to convey. If you are a creative entrepreneur, you may wear clothes that are the same as your business colors, or something that shows your are trustworthy or confident. To get an idea of the psychology behind color, check out this great blog by Jason Athen.

If you are job hunting, or will be in the future, wear something similar to what you would wear for a job interview. Check out this survey from Careerbuilder.com for the best and worst clothing color choices.

Style & Fit

Everyone’s style is different, so choose a style that fits you well. Wear your most-polished look. No matter what style you decide on, you want to make sure that your clothes are clean, hole-free, wrinkle-free, and fit well.

If you are an entrepreneur, check out “Tips for Business Headshots that Fit Your Brand”, a very helpful blog by Urban Bliss Media.

For corporate headshots, check out “What to Wear” by Corporate Headshots LA.

Preparation

Finally, here are a few of my favorite tips on how to prepare for your photo shoot:

The night before/morning of:

• Plenty of rest the night before
• Keep your sodium and alcohol intake low and your water intake high for a natural glow 🙂
• Lay out your outfit choices. Try them on! Wash/steam/iron as necessary. Buff out any scuffs on shoes
• Gather accessories: Belts, ties, jewelry, scarves, or anything you do not want to forget to bring with you
• Pack your props: You don’t need any, but if you sell a product, bring a sample to pose with!

The day of:

• Women: Apply makeup as usual, but add a little extra – this will appear on-camera better!
• Men: Shave the morning of the photo shoot if you normally shave

And most importantly, prepare to have fun!