Is your headshot photograph hurting you?

This questions comes up often. We all know that the first thing we look at when checking out a profile is the photo. You make a first impression within seconds. First impressions are hard to shake. Someone may not even both reading through your qualifications if they don’t like your photo. If you understand this, you need to make sure that the first impression is good. So let’s take a look at some statistics that are very telling. Below is the number of people that have selfies as their professional headshot photograph. The numbers are by the JDP analysis performed in 2018.

We all have a pretty good understanding that a selfie is not a good headshot photograph. So going by these numbers, and depending on the industry that you are in, you know for a fact that you are going to be ahead of the curve by a significant distance. Let’s have a look at another statistic.

These are the percentage of people that have cropped a group photograph and are using that as their professional corporate headshot. These numbers are even worse. When you put both of these charts together you start to see a picture that just by having a good photograph, you will stand out as more professional. This is the photo that is going to speak for you and against your competition when you are not there. Given this, why would you not want your headshot photograph to be the best it can be?

If you’d like to know the 7 best tips for mastering headshot photography click HERE

Want to know more about how you get get an amazing headshot photo that will make people want to work with you? CLICK HERE

Why would they pick you?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? Step into the shoes of your potential customer and imagine why they would pick you? What is so different about your product or the service you offer? Most often, just like in social life, people like to blend in and adapt to their environment and the people they associate with. This is a natural human condition that served us well hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Being part of a tribe was safe. Conform to what everyone else is doing and you will survive.

However, in business, conforming will get you on a trajectory to the bottom. You do what everyone is doing and you provide the best possible price. You are now part of this large group of business and individuals that provide the same service. What we sometimes fail to see is that when all else is the same the client will almost always make a decision based on price. This means undercutting your competitors to the point where you make very little profit if any.

The key to solving this problem is based on your USP (Unique Selling Proposition or Unique Selling Point). Why would you spend so much more on a MacBook when you can get a similar laptop from another brand at nearly half the price? Because you can’t get a MacBook from anyone other than Apple. They are the only ones that make them so if you want one you need to buy if from them.

We should all identify or develop a USP. It could be as simple as having a "Never give up” attitude at work. This makes you the go-to person when it needs to be done right. This could be your USP.

If you are looking for a job it could be a fantastic, and rare qualification that nobody else has. It could be a professionally written CV, or a professional headshot to represent you and help you stand out.

If you are a business it could be your 100% Money back guarantee that nobody else offers, or your incredible support structure with a call centre based in Australia, or maybe, that amazing product that you have exclusive rights to. Whatever it is, this is the reason they will hire you, book you or purchase from you.

Whatever your USP, it needs to be the reason someone picks you.

In my instance, I provide my clients with imagery that they cannot get anywhere else. I know I won’t be outworked and my style is just that…… my style.

So why would they pick you?

Learn more at www.dancanteroheadshots.com.au

HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY Do I really need a professional headshot photograph?

The short answer is a big Yes! It is now understood that when reading anything the first thing you will look at is the photo. It doesn’t matter if this is in print, on social media or just a website. The image is the first thing we notice and it is the main contributor to your first impression of what you are seeing. Because of this, you want to make the best first impression possible. This is where it is really important to have a professional headshot photographer help you with your photo. You see, all photographs are not created equal. Simply smiling to the camera or asking someone to “say cheese” does not work. Your expression, smile, lighting, camera position, lens (and more) need to work together to send out the correct message. Have you ever looked at someone’s photo and said to yourself “I don’t trust them”. This may not be an accurate representation of that person but it may be the one they are projecting.

So the answer to the question is YES. If you have a presence on social media, website or anything else that requires a photo you need to take this seriously. A professional headshot photographer will help you get the exact image you are after.

If you would like to know more about this (obligation free of course) please contact me and I would be happy to have a chat with you and answer all your questions. You would be surprised how affordable it is to get an image that will represent you correctly and make you money!