A professional photo shoot is a must if one wants a strong and professional looking social media presence. By professional, I mean something that's clicked with a good camera or digital camera, that doesn't come across as a selfie from your cell phone. Deliberately dressed and posed for the purpose of projecting a competent brand/person.
When I started my business in 2014, one of the first things I did was to upgrade my wardrobe and get a photo shoot done in a studio. This helped me launch myself as a brand in the best possible light. The photos on my blog were high resolution and professional. I also used the photos on all my socials - absolutely no casual photos clicked on phone - a rule I follow to this day.
Here are a few reasons why!
- Our online presence as entrepreneurs and professionals is key to our personal branding.
And when people land on our profiles from Google or wherever, the photo serves to create a connect. When we like what we see, we make that essential human connection. There's a reason why meeting people personally will never go out of style. Or at least having the video on on Zoom calls.
- It's got an added benefit for entrepreneurs. We do business with people who like us and who are like us. Having a clear headshot helps people like us. Something fuzzy or posing with bunnies in a mall doesn't essentially scream competent professional. Hence, the time and money spent on professional photos every few years is a worth while investment if you care about your online personal branding and want it to be a strong one.
- There is no downside to a great profile picture which is professionally shot. It might seem like small thing but it always makes a big difference in the how you overall brand is projected to your customers.
So first things first, here's what I'll cover in this article:
How to choose a photographer?
What's your venue going to be?
List of tips from my experience that can make your shoot better
So, how does one choose a photographer?
There are people out there with varying experience and quotes. I don't know what justifies the cost since I haven't paid 5-figures for mine and maybe suffered due to it. I came out of each photo shoot with mistakes that an experienced professional could have helped me avoid. But from the 3 times I have done shoots, I am going to share my personal wisdom which might help make yours better and avoid the pit falls I fell into.
I don't think expensive equals good or great. So I am not sure. The quote covers only the photographer, not the studio or the venue for a photoshoot. And as a cost-conscious business person who has always kept her business lean, I would not like to spend 25-35 grand just on a photographer plus the overheads of a venue.
My first shoot was in a studio - so that worked out well. The second one also came with the space but I wasn't happy with the expertise of the photographer or the photos. But they did nicely to refresh my social profiles. The final one that I did last year was in my own home and common areas of the building.
Is there a way to know how good a photographer is? Definitely ask for previous work to get an idea. Make sure someone hasn't sent you stock photos instead. You can also ask for references you can talk to see how their working experience was with the professional. Make a list of all the questions you want to ask your photographer - about his process, how the day will go, what they'll bring along and what they expect you to provide.
The fact that you have one day when you'll go all out to get your photos done makes it high-stake. Unlike a phone camera, the professional one will follow you on one day only!
How to choose a venue
I wanted to choose a co-working space this time. But I realised that getting a professional set up into a co-working space costs extra. This is a weird rule and I am not sure if every co-work space has this rule. The one close to my place said this and I chucked the idea since: 1. It would add to the overheads 2. We'd be trapped in one room despite paying extra for it. If I pick one of the more expensive photographers, I'd want their services to come with a studio. That makes it a good deal.
Planning for the day
Here are a few things that helped me ease into the day - I'm sharing all my tips irrespective of gender. Pick the ones that apply to you
Tips
- Colour your roots/greys as close to the shoot date as possible.
- Remove nail paint in advance. You don't want a shadow of dark colours marring your brand new pictures
- Get your hair and make up done on the same day. Doing your hair the previous night will anyways need touch up the next day. I got a professional on the same morning. Saving pennies won't help here.
Wardrobe: This is my weak point and I think a professional eye would have helped.
- Do a dress rehearsal 2 days in advance. Make combinations and ensure the clothes fit well and you look comfortable.
- Commission the help of a friend/trusted colleague. During the dress rehearsal so that you have a second opinion but also during the day of the shoot. Someone to hold you jacket or help you change in and out of clothes is invaluable (It was hard doing everything on my own)
- Iron anything that you might have the possibility of wearing
Check out photos mid-shoot
One big mistake I definitely wouldn't repeat is to wait for the photos to be sent to me as a folder after the shoot is over. Ask the photographer to get a card reader along. Even if they can't show you as they shoot, you can connect the card reader to your laptop mid-shoot and check out how it's all panning out. You may feel like the shoot is going great and you've taken so many photos. but trust me! You'll probably like only about 10% of them which are usable.
If you aren't happy with certain angles/lighting you can redo them on the same day rather than living with the regret. I don't have a single photo with the right power pose and I wish I could see the photos as the shoot progressed so I could correct them. I really needed power pose photos. But alas! I am only left with regret.
If you have any tips that you'd like to add from your experience, feel free to add in the comments.
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