In today's visually-driven digital landscape, a striking headshot is your calling card. Whether it's for your LinkedIn profile, your website's "About Me" section, or your social media presence, your headshot speaks volumes about who you are and what you represent.

It's your chance to make a memorable first impression in a sea of online faces. But in the quest for the perfect headshot, some are turning to AI solutions, believing them to be a quick fix for professional imagery. However, here's why investing in a professional branding photographer is a far wiser choice.

The term, “small fish in a big pond” has never been more appropriate than it is right now in the world of small business online marketing. No matter how you market online (social media, your website, a blog, your podcast), chances are good you’re swimming in a very big pond with a lot of other people who are all vying for the attention of the same people you’re hoping to reach.

I often think it would be ideal if your best friend was an awesome professional photographer. That’s because, the more you trust the person taking your photo, the more relaxed you’ll be and the better the photos turn out.

Getting a great photo is about a lot more than the lighting or the background or even the equipment you use. All of those things are important, but I can tell you, as a professional photographer, it’s the energy and how well you and your photographer are aligned that has the biggest impact on how your photos turn out.

Have you ever needed a photo for your blog post or LinkedIn article and searched Google Photos to find it? I’ll admit, it’s the quickest and easiest way to find that perfect image to make your content pop. You may even avoid any photos that have watermarks, knowing it’s not okay to share them without buying them first.

But did you know that not every licensed photo on the internet has a watermark? If your Google search leads you to a photo on someone else’s blog, for instance, and you download and use it without a watermark, it can lead to a huge headache for you if you’re not clear about the etiquette and rules around giving proper credit for photos you use for your content.

On my recent work trip to Virginia in March, I was interviewed for a local morning television show, “Virginia This Morning” on CBS 6. It was a little nerve-wracking, but also a blast!

During the interview, I shared with Jessica Noll my top 6 tips for getting you the Perfect Picture of Yourself. These are all simple and guaranteed to make a difference in your next photo shoot.

Having your picture taken is something virtually everyone (especially every woman) I’ve ever worked with has expressed some level of anxiety around. It’s an emotional thing to do (even for me).

It seems like all of my insecurities come straight to the forefront when I step in front of a camera and I’m plagued with negative self-talk about my hair, my face, my body, my wardrobe, you name it.

If that happens to you as well and you’re not careful, those voices can be so loud they become overwhelming and they shut you down (exactly the opposite of how you want to show up to get authentic, beautiful photos that allow the real you to shine through).

I’m here to tell you that those voices are liars. I’m here to tell you that you matter.

Let me repeat that for those in the back who may still be hiding behind their hands, afraid to “smile for the camera.”

❤️ You matter ❤️

Client attraction requires trust

It’s easier for potential clients to trust you when they see a professional photo of a confident, authentic person smiling at them from your social media profile. Good branded photos capture exactly who you are and what your business represents.

The number one thing you can do to change that is to find a way to stand out from the crowd. That means your personal brand is more important now than it’s ever been. People want to do business with human beings, and the more real and authentic you are, the more people will want to do business with you.

Since social media marketing is always visual, your first step toward putting yourself “out there” in a more authentic way is to get awesome, personal, branded photos that allow people to not only see you but, more importantly, to see who you are.

Chances are good there are some areas of your online branding that you just sort of take for granted. If you’ve worked with a branding expert, “personal brand” is probably something you’ve checked off of your “to-do” list.

That’s fine for most elements of your brand (like your logo and signature brand colors and fonts that you use consistently online), but there’s one area where you need to continually stay up to date. Your headshots.

I get it. When you created your brand, you probably invested in professional headshots. Isn’t that also “done?” Probably not. Your personal image and how you look are the one part of your brand that’s constantly changing. Old headshots can hurt your brand. Outdated photos show a lack of investment in your business and damage your credibility with current (and more importantly, potential) clients.

If you use speaking as part of your personal brand, you’re an expert at showing up and connecting with your audience live (either in person or virtually). That’s great once you’re actually in front of people, but in order for your brand to reflect who you are as a speaker, you need still photos that capture the essence of your speaker persona.

You want your branding images to make people feel like they’re already part of the conversation you have with your audience from the stage. Without these photos, your dynamic speaker personality won’t come through to potential booking agents or clients who are looking for exactly what you deliver from the stage.

Key Reasons to Keep Your Headshots Updated

Here are some recommendations and reasons to make sure your headshots are always updated and on point for your brand:

• Ideally, you should update your professional images every one to three years. NEVER use a photo for your business that’s more than three years old

• Professional photos are a must if you’re doing business online. No matter how great you look in a candid, amateur shot, there is no substitute for professional-looking images when it comes to your business brand.

• Not only do your looks change over time, but so does your life experience. A good photographer will make sure your personality and interests shine through in your headshots. The only way to ensure these reflect who you are NOW (and not who you were ten years ago), is to have updated professional photos taken.

• An up-to-date anchor image (or headshot) that you love and are proud of builds your confidence, which is also a huge business asset. I've seen my clients put themselves out there more often once they’ve gotten images they’re proud of.

• Photos that are updated regularly are a clear indication that you’re active and engaged with your business, something potential clients want to know and is looking for.

As a photographer who prides myself on capturing the unique personality of every subject I photograph, I’ve loved this trend and I’ve made a name for myself in Virginia as the go-to corporate photographer for that reason.

Last June, I was approached by the senior manager of brand photography and videography for Ferguson,

With the help of the right photographer, you can catch the attention of more casting directors and agents. In fact, visuals can often make or break your chances of landing your dream audition, which is why it’s essential to get your headshots right.

Here are some tips that will help:

#1 Stick with a basic background

Let’s talk about your headshots.

I know, this probably isn’t one of your favorite topics, because having your picture taken probably isn’t in your top 10 (or even 25) list of things you love to do.

The hard truth is, though, if your current photos are more than two years old, they’re out of date and need to be updated (especially if you are a professional of any kind).

Whether you’re thinking about taking headshots for the first time or you want to refresh your current photos there are some common myths about headshots I’d like to debunk so you can book your next photoshoot with confidence and peace of mind.

Very few people in this world actually enjoy having their pictures taken. The minute a camera is aimed at us, we tend to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. I’ve even had a handful of professionals tell me they used to skip school on picture days! That can relegate “Update my executive headshot” to the very bottom of your “to-do” list (right below having a root canal or paying a late fee on your credit card bill for a mistake your bank made) headshot.

I get it! I’m an award-winning professional photographer and I feel the same way about having my picture taken. Since I specialize in executive headshots, part of my goal is to make even the most nervous client feel comfortable, confident, and as relaxed as possible. Most of my sessions even actually end up being fun for my clients.

Here’s how I accomplish this:

Nowadays, having an intentional personal brand is more important than ever.

But does that mean that everyone needs to work hard at building their personal brand? How do you know if scheduling a personal brand photoshoot is right for you and your business? Here are five great questions to help you find out.

Every quarter in Richmond, Virginia, and nationwide, I get to work with amazing leaders and companies throughout our country to help their brands to shine. I do this with my photography practice. Of all the ways I could serve my clients, I focus on creating branded portraits for executives and entrepreneurs.

Age is a PLUS for your personal brand. These four women are living proof.

Every week from my photography studio in Richmond, Virginia, I get to work with amazing leaders and companies throughout Central Virginia to help their brands to shine. I do this with my photography practice. Of all the ways I could serve my clients, I focus on creating branded portraits for executives and entrepreneurs.

Learn about how to make your personal branding session a best practice that gets your images working hard for you!