As an author, you know how important it is to have a professional headshot. Not only does it help you look your best when meeting potential readers and fans, but it also helps promote your book and brand.

A professional portrait can make all the difference in presenting yourself as a serious author who is worth reading.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of author headshots, what makes a good author headshot, what to wear for an author headshot, and how to pose for an author headshot.

For many of us, the idea of loving our bodies seems like an impossible feat. We're bombarded with messages from society telling us what we should look like, what we should eat, and how we should exercise. It's no wonder that we often feel like we're at war with our bodies. But it doesn't have to be this way. 

As someone who once struggled with self-esteem and body image issues, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to love your body. But I also know that it's possible. It all starts with a decision to nurture feelings of confidence and self-love. 

There’s a difference between great personal brand photos and good-looking headshots. Brand photos… 

• Tell the entire story of you and your brand through images. 

• Capture your personality 

• Bring all aspects of your personal brand together. 

• Help your clients and customers know who you are, what you can offer, and why they should hire you. 

When it comes to dental practices, it's easy to overlook the importance of headshots. After all, you might think, what difference does it make? However, as it turns out, headshots can be a powerful tool in building your practice's brand and attracting new patients.

Our time spent at Custer State Park this summer has been truly delightful and filled with new experiences.

One particular highlight has been having the magnificent bison as our neighbors, gracing our campground with occasional visits. These majestic creatures never fail to leave a lasting impression, reminding us of their symbolic significance to our American identity.

Moreover, their presence in this park is a testament to the remarkable conservation efforts that have brought their population back to a thriving and healthy state.

Naturally, as a photographer armed with my trusty Canon R5 and 100-500mm lens, I seized the opportunity to capture some images of these extraordinary animals, which I am excited to share with you.

I’m naturally shy and definitely an introvert. I thought taking strangers’ portraits at the 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, would be scary and interesting. It definitely put me outside my comfort zone.

There were many strangers that I let slip by, and there were some that I dared to ask. Everyone said yes, except one person. Everyone was very nice.

My husband and I showed up one day before the Rally officially started. I wanted to miss the typical riff-raff that is notorious for this annual event.

I used a pancake lens called a Lensbaby 28 Trio.

As a business person, you have to rely on some level of marketing in order to be successful. Marketing feeds new clients and customers into your business. It keeps you visible, which positively impacts your reputation. 

And for most of us, it totally stresses you out.

That’s often because you’ve been told (and probably believe) that there’s a certain “right” way to market yourself online. Online gurus invest a lot of money in marketing they target you with, and most of it is designed to make you feel inadequate and totally lost. That’s how they sell you their programs, many of which teach techniques that might work for some people but won’t work for everyone.

#1: “You have a great camera, which is why you take such great photos.” 

This is the one I probably hear the most often. I honestly don’t think people realize this can come across as an insult, so I try to say jokingly, “...and Babe Ruth had a great bat!” Some get it, and some don’t. 

One of the best parts about having a professional branding photoshoot is the fact that you end up with lots of great photos of yourself. My clients may walk into their shoots with me nervous about how their photos will come out, but because of my proven process, they are always excited about the results. I do a pre-branding session so we can customize their session and get key images they know they need. We also figure out if there are any props the client wants to include to help tell their brand story. 

I also love that these parties bring together the coolest small business owners and entrepreneurs in Richmond (or wherever I’m doing them), and that they’re an awesome networking opportunity. Even though the appointments are 30 minutes apart, you still get to interact with the other participants, creating a fun and supportive atmosphere.

lI ove what I do, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can take great photos of anyone. You may not believe that. You may be saying, “Anyone but me. I’m not photogenic, and I hate having my picture taken.” And you’re not alone. I hear this all the time. I even wrote a blog post last year about photoshoot insecurity. I’m always looking for ways to change your paradigm about having your picture taken.

We’ve lived in our RV for more than two years. We have a Grand Design Solitude 390RK. While we love almost everything about it and will keep doing this awesome adventure, just like everything, there are drawbacks to our RV lifestyle. I thought I’d outline a few for you here so you get an idea of what our life is like on the daily: 

talk a lot about how important great, branded headshots are for your business. It’s one of the most important business assets you have. Professional photographs are also expensive, so making sure you’re getting the most out of your investment is crucial. 

Here are my top three tips for making your headshot work for you.

A photoshoot is a bit like a dance between me and my subject. When we first start out, we’re learning how to dance together, and we need time to warm up to each other. I hardly ever take a great portrait with the first shot (or even the first several shots). My client needs time to relax, and I need time to check the back of my camera, look at the first several shots, and adjust either my client or something in the background. 

Here are four questions I have my clients answer that might support you before your next brand photo shoot.

As a brand photographer, clients ask me for guidance regarding when to get new brand photos and which ones they need to capture. These aren’t black-or-white questions; my answers always depend on specific details about each client’s needs. 

Here are four questions I have my clients answer that might support you before your next brand photo shoot.

I’m not an online dating expert by any means, but I know that pictures are essential in dating profiles, and the best online dating profile photos have a lot in common with great business branding photos. They need to communicate with the viewer and share who you are at your core. They need to be current and engender a “know, like, and trust” feeling in the person who’s looking at them. And, of course, you need to feel great about them so you’ll exude confidence. 

Here are five locations that would be perfect for YOUR next branding photo shoot. I’ve broken them down into interior and exterior options so we can choose the perfect “space” for your unique branding needs.

Branding for your business (no matter how big or small it is) has never been more important than it is today. That’s because the online world, where we do most of our promotions, is so visual. Just “any old photo” won’t work anymore. Having great, branded photos is the key to your success.

Here are five compelling reasons why you must have several great, up-to-date brand photos at your disposal for promoting yourself or your business online: