5 Business Headshot Mistakes to Avoid

To make a lasting first impression online you need great visuals. What do potential clients or employers see when they put a face to your name? 

If you use your professional headshot session to your advantage, it will be a sound business investment for a number of reasons. Is it time for you to renew your professional headshot? Then read on to find the mistakes you should avoid.

1.       Taking the Photo Yourself

If you are serious about building your brand, then investing in a professional headshot session is worth the effort and cost. Of course you could try to place your cell phone on a stand and take a few headshots yourself, but chances are they won't look as professional as you were hoping. And your employer may reject them!

2.       Selecting the Wrong Outfit

You want to choose an outfit that matches your personality and that you would wear on a day-to-day basis. Unless you are rebranding, then it's not the time to try a completely new look. And choose more than one outfit to take to your session, just in case you decide to go for a few more looks.

3.       Not Practicing Your Facial Expressions

No one wants to see a fake smile in their headshot. Practice your smile and facial expressions in the mirror at home, prior to your session to ensure your photographer can capture the best results possible.    

4.       Using the Wrong Background

The focus should be on you, so your background can be anything that helps portray who you are. But stay away from distracting backgrounds, or something that may be outdated looking. Keep the focus on the main subject, you!

5.       Following Trends

Your headshots should last at least 2 years, ideally, but if you go too trendy, it may be irrelevant and unrelatable in six months. 

Keeping in mind these tips of what to avoid, you can start your search for a professional headshot photographer who has the skills to light and direct you to creating a great headshot that you will love to showeveryone.