Thanks to Chris Durban for suggesting this post topic!
Let’s say that you want to hire a professional services provider: maybe a business accountant, a copyright attorney, a web designer or a marketing consultant. You’re clicking through that person’s website, and on their About page, you see a photograph. Great! It’s always helpful to get a visual image of the person you’re thinking of working with. But then you notice that the person’s photograph is clearly from 20+ years ago, or was obviously taken in a drugstore photo booth, or features them and their pet ferret, or you can’t really tell what the person looks like because they’re facing away from the camera and their hair is in their eyes. Problem? Maybe! Let’s ponder the issue of professional photographs for a second.
I had never used a professional photograph until about a year ago. My previous head shot photos were decent (hair brushed, facing the camera, no ferrets) but clearly not taken by a professional. I told myself that a) it doesn’t really matter, I’m just a freelancer; b) a professional photo session is outside my budget and c) how different will the photo look anyway? Then, Judy Jenner gave our local translators’ association the idea of hiring a professional photographer to do head shots of a bunch of our members during one session. Eve Bodeux organized this and it was a huge success. Our photographer did head shots of 12 people in two hours at a cost of $40 per person, and we were really pleased with the results. Since then I’ve been using the picture I had taken during that session, and I do think that it’s an asset to my marketing materials. So, why should you consider a professional photograph?
- It shows that you’re willing to invest in your business. I am very frugal. I don’t own a clothes dryer and I wash Ziploc bags. But when someone hands me a business card with “Get your free business cards at…” printed on the back, my immediate reaction is that this person is not even willing to invest $25 in their business in order to get real cards. Ditto with the professional photograph: it shows that you care.
- It conveys an impression of you as a person. Let’s face it: working with a freelancer is a very personal relationship. And if people don’t have a positive impression of you, they are less likely to work with you. A professional photograph can help establish you as approachable, personable, likable and other qualities that are desirable in a business associate.
- It’s what other people do. I hate to play the “everyone else is doing it” card, but there’s some truth to this. If you consider yourself on par with other consultant-type service providers, your marketing materials need to be at that level.
When you’re having your photo taken, it’s also worth thinking about the image that you want to convey to your potential clients. For example at our local photo session, at least one member was concerned that she looks too young (clients think she is inexperienced/don’t take her seriously) and at least one was concerned that she looks too old (clients think she is outdated). Our photographer had some good suggestions on how to stage and pose the photograph in order to counter those impressions. In addition, I think that professional photographers really are better at putting you at ease during the photo session. I dislike having my picture taken and I don’t think I’ve very photogenic, but I was very happy with the photos that I got from this session.
Any other thoughts on professional photos?
Jamie McLennan says
Great post. I agree a good photograph is essential. With the rise of social media, avatars are now everywhere, appearing with every Facebook update and Twitter post. Using your photo as your avatar personalizes your ‘brand’ by adding a human element to your online presence.
It can also bring more attention to your posts. People are naturally drawn to faces. As an experiment, visit a blog comment page and see which comments you are more likely to read first – I bet it’s the ones with a face attached! In this age of internet anonymity, I think people who attach their name and face to their words automatically seem more trustworthy.
If you have a good-looking photo you can use it across a variety of platforms. You’re well on your way to building ‘brand recognition,’ even if that brand is just your smiling mug!
Incidentally, I went with a bow-tie, not because I consider myself a hipster (ugh!), but because it makes for a slightly more memorable image, and hey, I actually wear them in real life.
And yup, I tied it myself. 🙂
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Jamie! I like the bow tie; there’s actually a realtor in my neighborhood whose marketing slogan is “The big guy with the bow tie”! You are so right about the appeal of a face to go with the name; I always feel more drawn to people’s websites when they have a good profile of themselves with a photo. Your picture looks great!
Margalida Ramis says
Hi Corinne,
thanks for explaining your experience. It’s a good idea. I’ve just changed my profile image in ProZ to something simple and close to the visitor (no ferrets!), but perhaps a professional view could improve it.
By the way, very interesting blog!
Margalida
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Margalida! I agree, ferrets are totally out of the question! And you’re right, something simple and professional is always best. Thanks for visiting!
Simone says
It still baffles me that even some of the experienced folks have profile pictures (on Proz or similar sites) that seem to come straight out of their webcams.
One additional option for people who don’t feel comfortable in a professional studio or who are afraid that the result may not be worth the money (I’ve been there): ask friends/acquaintances who have some Photoshop skills. You can indeed create decent CV photos with the program. You can take various pictures at home, try on different clothes, etc. And you can discard all the crappy pictures without losing money. Just make sure that the final result looks like a real photo with a non-disturbing background etc.
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Simone, those are all excellent points. I agree; even if some freelancers cannot afford or don’t want a professional photo, the MySpace-style shots really have to go. I also really like your suggestion about recruiting a friend who uses Photoshop. That would result in a much better-looking photo than what most people seem to be using!
Caroline Lakey says
Thanks for the post Corinne. I’ve been thinking for a while about having a professional photo taken, and having read this has pushed the idea back up my “to do” list.
Now I just need to find a photographer I feel comfortabe with (I hate having my photo taken too) – and get my hair cut!
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Caroline! Yes, hair is always a source of stress when it comes to photos (or at least it is for me!). I also found that the short (5-8 minute) photo shoots that we did were less stressful than showing up at someone’s studio for half an hour or something like that. Maybe you could get together with some other translators and do it as a group?
Abigail Dahlberg says
Great post, Corinne. I had my first professional photos taken this past year. It is definitely something that I had been pushing off for a while and I’m glad that I finally made the time to do so. I really like the idea of offering something like this for local translators and might see if we can replicate it for MICATA if you don’t mind. See you in Boston!
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Abigail, glad to hear that you also had a good experience with a professional photo shoot. For what it’s worth, we paid our photographer $600 to do short (5-8 minute) sessions with 12 people who in turn paid $40 each. This included selecting 2 photos for minor retouching, then all of the participants received those 2 photos by e-mail along with a copyright transfer form so that they can make prints, put them on websites, etc. It worked out really well. Have the photographer bring a professional background and lights, that helps a lot!
Sarah Puchner says
I am so glad you posted this – I contacted a photographer a few weeks ago and will be having my picture taken next Tuesday. As long as everything turns out OK, my photo will be my brand image, for the reasons Jamie mentions above.
By the way, I also wash Ziplocs.
Sarah
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Sarah! I hope that your photo session goes well; I do really think that professional photographers do a better job than one’s spouse or roommate and the point and shoot camera. Keep up with the ziplocs!
Andie Ho says
This is a great idea, Corinne. I’ve never given headshots much thought, but you’re spot on when you say that having a professional-looking photo or avatar makes you look more professional.
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Andie! And you’re right about avatars; excellent point!
Well Translated LLC says
Ha, ha, ha…I wash zip lock bags too!
Riccardo says
Another thing to consider: you may need a professional headshot to apply for certain assignments, such as video shoots and similar – you never know when something like that could come along.
Corinne McKay says
Thanks Riccardo; that is a great point that I had not thought of. A good headshot could open up some good opportunities in terms of on-camera work or voiceovers. Thanks!
english korean translator says
I truly agree that “professional photographers really are better at putting you at ease during the photo session.” Absolutely true in my case as well. Also, they make me look so much nicer, or better put, bring out the best of me. Now I can comfortably carry around this head shot for the next 5 to 6 years. If I had to do it myself, how long would have taken is anyone’s guess. I’d rather pay $40 to save stress.
ianesy says
I truly agree that “professional photographers really are better at putting you at ease during the photo session.” Absolutely true in my case as well. Also, they make me look so much nicer, or better put, bring out the best of me. Now I can comfortably carry around this head shot for the next 5 to 6 years. If I had to do it myself, how long would have taken is anyone’s guess. I’d rather pay $40 to save stress.
I work as an english korean translator.
Corinne McKay says
Thanks for your comment; yes, I agree that somehow professional photographers do make you look better, and that’s a good point that a head shot can last for a good amount of time. I think 5 years is a good guideline; thanks for mentioning that!