I'm Michele

It’s true: Getting your headshot taken is not at the top of your to-do list. In fact, I’m guessing it’s the one thing you keep putting off, even though you know it’s time for an update.

But when it comes to your online presence, updating your headshot is one of the quickest and easiest ways to immediately improve your professional image.

In this article, I’m going to give you 10 reasons to update your headshot today.

Reason #1 to update your headshot: Your look has changed!

It goes without saying that you want people to recognize you! If you’re sporting a new hairstyle, it’s time to get a new photo.

If your current profile photo on social media is even two years, there’s a good chance it looks dated. And it also gives the impression to potential clients that this person is not concerned with staying relevant in their business.

I always say your headshot should be such a great representation of how you look that if someone sees you at your favorite Rapid City coffee shop, they’ll immediately know who you are.

(And while I am a huge fan of going to the store in pajamas, I don’t recommend them for headshots.)

Reason #2 you might need a new headshot: Your background looks dated.

If your background hails from a decade ago, it’s time to change your background.

After 12 years in the headshot photography business, I’ve seen headshot background trends come and go. Trust me when I tell you: Nothing screams still-living-in-2012 than a stuffy mottled-gray background.

If you want to appear relevant to your clients, make sure your background looks fresh, modern, and well-lit. True-to-life colors will never go out of style, and I’m a huge fan of white backgrounds (which make it easy to create cutouts to use in your Canva marketing).

New headshot reason #3: Your website isn’t consistent.

This tip is mostly for the website and HR departments: One of the best ways to build trust with your current and future clients is consistency of team member headshots on your website.

A website where everyone is against the same (or similar) background makes your company look more professional than your competitor that lets every employee submit any photo they like, including phone photos or a family photo cropped down to one face).

The quickest and most efficient way to do this is a schedule a single on-site headshot day at your office (or a nearby studio) where everyone can get their photos taken with the same background and lighting.

Bonus tip: Hire a photographer who has experience with large groups and your day will be quick, easy, fun — and DONE! (Me: Raises hands and jumps up and down!)

Reason #4 you might need a new headshot: You’re still using an iPhone Photo

I get it. Your company’s marketing department requested a headshot, and they needed it right away. So you sent the only recent one you had, which just happened to be an iPhone photo. And now it’s been years, but you promised yourself it was only temporary.

Trust me. I know the drill.

I was in the marketing world for years, so I know how easy it is to let that one iPhone profile pic slide into the mix just to meet a deadline.

And — let’s face it — phone photos have come a long way. (And one of my favorite lines is “the best camera is the one you have with you.”)

But when it comes to your professional profile photo, especially on a company website, your business’s social media profiles, or professional networking sites like LinkedIn, there’s no substitute for a professional headshot.

Is it time for new headshots? Yes, and here’s reason #5: Your current headshot was created with AI

Yes, AI photos have come a long way. And they’re one of the best ways to feel flattered. (I mean, even those of us who hate having our photos taken look at our AI photos and think, Wow, I look good!).

But even to the untrained eye, there is something disingenuous about AI headshots. They’re not you.

And in business, we want to build trust. So that AI photo really needs to go. 

Reason #6 it’s time to get a new headshot: White balance or exposure is off

This reason may sound foreign to you if you’re not a photographer, so let me put it in layman’s terms:

If your headshot looks like it has a filter on it, or if your skin isn’t, well, skin-colored, there’s a good chance your just-starting-out photographer didn’t know how to correct white balance or expose correctly.

There’s both an art and a science to creating a flattering headshot, and a professional who has spent years photographing thousands of headshots is going to know which settings will best flatter the person on the other side of the camera.

Reason #7: You’re changing companies or careers

Many of my individual headshot clients come to me when they’re changing companies or careers. They are updating their resume and their professional profiles, so it’s the perfect time to update that headshot too.

When you walk into your interview, you’ll be professional and polished — just like in your updated headshot!

Reasons to update your headshot, #8: Keep a pro headshot on hand for board and networking opportunities

You never know when you’re going to be asked to join a board, be featured in a company magazine or marketing newsletter, or give a presentation to a professional or networking group. But when those opportunities present themselves (often without much notice), you’re probably going to be asked to share a headshot.

And having one on-hand for those occasions is always a good idea. It’s far less stressful to schedule a session when you don’t need a right-this-minute headshot than scrambling to schedule a headshot session when you’re up against a timeline! (Kind of like buying a new pair of jeans, am I right?)

Please don’t make them stalk your Facebook page trying to find photo that can maybe, sort of, halfway pass as a headshot. Not only does it not look professional, but it reflects on the organization who invited you to speak as well.

Reason #9: Your social media needs a refresh

We’ve all been there. People meet us in person for the first time after seeing our social media profile pics and say, “Oh, hey, I didn’t even recognize you!” or “Wow, you look prettier in person!”

Those comments are your sign that it’s time to book a new headshot.

While you’re at it, if you’re active on social media, consider booking a personal brand session too, so you have a library of images to choose from. (Want to know more about creating a personal brand? Read my last article here.)

Reason #10 to get new headshots: The more you do it, the better you get

I’m one of those people who hates to get in front of the camera. Not even kidding — it’s almost as painful as the thought of someone forcing me to sing karaoke (think Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding). But I had the best photographer once who told me that way to overcome my fear of getting in front of the camera is to actually get in front of the camera more.

And guess what? She was right. What we’re really afraid of is not getting flattering photos. So part of that is working with a photographer who knows how to flatter every face and type of body. (Me: Raises hand again from over here in the back!) But also, every time you get in front of the camera with a talented photographer, you learn better how to pose, how to move, and what angles of yourself you do, actually, really like!

Trust me — I’ve taken thousands of headshots over the years, and I believe everyone is photogenic. It’s just a matter of using the right lens, setting up the right lighting, and finding the right angles that flatter. Every one is different, so it’s important to learn what works best for you.

And when you do — trust me, you’re gonna love the way you look in photos!

Want more info?

For more tips on looking fantastic in front of the camera, download my free guide now: 10 Ways to Instantly Look Better in Photos.

And if you’re ready to book Rapid City headshots or brand photography, here’s a link to my most popular services: https://michelewithonel.com/services.https://michelewithonel.com/services.

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