Your First Professional Headshot: The Start of a Lifelong Branding Journey

Remember those elementary school photo days when your family urged you to be on your best behavior and keep the clothes, that you probably didn’t get to choose to wear, neat and tidy until it was your turn? At my school, they usually called us in alphabetical order, so I was often captured right after recess. The hot press my mom heated the stove for early that morning never lasted, at least not until I made it to middle school. Despite my lack of interest in being in front of a camera most times, even now, I do understand the impact of capturing milestones in your life.

The Journey to My First Professional Headshot

It wasn't until I was in my early 20s that I had my first professional headshot taken by a photographer I found on Thumbtack. I got booked for a fashion show from my Facebook photos, but they required a professional comp card or a collection of headshots. I barely did my hair, but I did get my makeup done. We’ll talk about how the MUA strongly suggested she wand curl the “just the front” of my natural hair so it would look “neater” another time. I used those headshots to book castings and as profile photos on most of my social media pages. While I received great compliments on the photo, I always felt it didn't look like me. I never wear a full glam look on a day-to-day basis, so anyone seeing that photo wouldn't truly recognize me.

The Importance of an Updated Headshot

It took me another three or four years to take another professional headshot, and it was time. My career path had changed twice – from working in labs and hospitals to becoming someone who captures narratives. It was time to showcase my new interests and share my new business, Captured Canvas. This time, I had a much better experience as it was a familiar face and friend who I trusted to make me look like me and reminded me to shine! Thanks, Eddie! I have used these photos often and always felt great showcasing them on all my websites and social platforms. Check out the behind the scenes below!

Why You Need a Headshot: Reflects Your Current Self

As you grow and evolve in your career, your headshot should reflect your current self. Regular updates ensure that your photo accurately represents who you are today, not who you were years ago.

  1. Professionalism and Credibility A professional headshot signals that you take yourself and your career seriously. It adds a layer of credibility and can make you stand out in a competitive job market or business landscape.

  2. Personal Connection People connect with faces. A headshot humanizes your online presence, making it easier for others to relate to you. It can help potential employers, clients, or collaborators feel a sense of familiarity and trust before they even meet you in person.

  3. Consistency Across Platforms Using a consistent headshot across all your professional platforms creates a cohesive and recognizable personal brand. It helps people remember you and ensures that your online presence is unified and professional.

Keeping Your Branding Updated

Since then, I have continued to play around with getting slightly more comfortable being in front of the camera. This is not just for personal growth but also because I desire to continue sharing with my community what I enjoy creating, what I am learning, and how things are progressing.

  1. Staying Relevant and Fresh Keeping your branding updated signals that you are active and engaged in your field. It shows that you are staying current with industry trends and are continuously investing in your personal and professional growth.

  2. Adapting to New Opportunities As new opportunities arise, having an up-to-date headshot and branding materials means you’re always prepared. Whether it’s for a speaking engagement, a media feature, or a new job application, you’ll have a professional image ready to go.

  3. Building Trust and Authenticity Regularly updating your headshot and branding helps maintain authenticity. It shows that you are transparent and real, not hiding behind an outdated image. This authenticity can build deeper trust with your audience or network.

Final Thoughts

Your headshot is a powerful component of your personal brand. It’s a visual representation of who you are and what you stand for. Investing in a high-quality headshot and keeping your branding updated is a crucial step in building and maintaining a strong, professional presence. Don’t underestimate the impact of a great headshot – it’s often the key to opening new doors and creating lasting impressions.

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