The Empowering Possibilities of a Professional Headshot
When you look at photos of yourself, what do you notice? The clothes? The hair? The necklace that isn’t quite centered? So often we think about photos in how they represent our physical appearance.
But who is the person in that photo? Is she someone you want to get to know? Someone who looks capable of taking on the world and ready to take on all that life has to offer?
A good professional headshot does more than show what you look like, it tells a story. It’s like that phrase, “a picture is worth one thousand words.” It gives people a sense of who you are, what you are about, and where you want to go. It’s like an introduction, but even more, it’s a vital point of connection.
The potential for a photograph to make a difference with a viewer is commonly understood. But equally important, though less recognized, is what the difference that same picture can make for the subject – you.
Tapping into the Potential of a Photograph
That photo can send a message to the subject as much as the viewer. It shows you in a different light. It reveals you from a new perspective. It’s not like looking in the mirror. It’s a deeper – and in some ways – more accurate reflection of you.
One of my clients explained it well after a shoot when she saw the final product. She said it was the first time she’d ever had a professional headshot taken and felt like it was her looking back through the camera.
“This photo says it all, “ she explained. “I’ve got bright eyes that are inspired by new ideas, a ready smile, and lines on my face that remind me I’ve proved my mettle more than once.”
Having a photo that captures your essence is empowering. You can see more clearly your own confidence, resilience, and brilliance.
Another client said her headshot inspires her to push her boundaries and take on more challenges. She explained the headshot embodies the boldness that she aspires to. In that photo, she sees the talented, capable woman that she is.
Fighting Imposter Syndrome and Taking Charge of Your Life
You would think that getting the promotion, winning the big contract, or landing the dream job would be validation enough that you have all the talent, skills, and expertise. Yet women too often doubt themselves or what they’ve achieved. It’s labeled imposter syndrome. it’s that nagging feeling that someone made a mistake. It’s that doubt, that fear that you don’t really belong where you are.
It can hit at any time in your career, even after years of documented success. An astonishing 75% of female executives reported experiencing Imposter Syndrome according to a KPMG survey. It’s an indication of an internal dialogue that can hold women back from achieving their full potential, or at least make it more difficult.
How can a photo make a difference?
For starters, in getting a professional headshot, you are taking charge of life and putting yourself first. You’re making a statement to yourself that you are important and that you deserve to have an image that promotes you.
And then, there’s the image itself. In looking at that professional photo, you can see more clearly what others see in you. You can see for yourself your confidence and capabilities. You will see how much you look the part and that can give you the assurance that you absolutely belong in the role you’re now in as well as the one you aspire to.
What a Professional Headshot Can Do For You
Whether you’re a leader looking to expand your horizons or an executive working to grow your company, having a headshot that captures your charisma and essence helps you achieve your goals. It helps you stand out from the crowd. It’s an invitation for the viewer - a potential boss, an investor, a partner, to find out more.
When you have a great photo, the viewer won’t be thinking about the outfit, noticing your hairstyle, or getting distracted by the jewelry you’re wearing. Instead, they’ll be focused on your confidence and approachability.
How To Get the Empowering Headshot You Want
Many people think that to get a great headshot, they need to wear the right colors, have their hair set in a certain style, and get into an elusive pose. They stress over their outfits, their accessories, and their makeup. One client told me she would practice different smiles for days before getting a headshot taken.
Let me assure you that you don’t need to practice your smile and there’s no one right color. Every person is different, every photo will be different. It’s about capturing you and highlighting what makes you uniquely you.
Prior to a photo shoot, I have a personal styling consultation with my clients. This is a time for me to get to know them and understand what’s most important to them. I want to know how they plan to use their headshot and what their professional goals are.
We’ll talk about outfits, colors, hairstyles, accessories, and makeup. We’ll review what they have on hand and what they might want to purchase.
It’s important to know that while one single color isn’t right for everyone, each person has a color or two or three that’s best. Those are the colors that make you feel empowered. The ones that bring out your eyes and make your skin look vibrant.
Choose your outfits based on your goals, your profession, and your personality. During my shoots, there are several outfit changes so we can try different things and see what works best.
We’ll also try different poses and smiles. This is when my clients relax and start to have fun and that leads to the best photos. They stop worrying about how they will look and start to be themselves in front of the camera. The key is that they stop trying to be someone and instead they’re just themselves. The result is an authenticity that makes the photo endearing.
About Alissa
Alissa is a professional headshot photographer who creates photos that capture your essence. Alissa is based in New Jersey and provides her headshot services in NJ and NYC. Check out more of Alissa’s portfolio on the homepage, and read more photo stories on the blog.