The first part of the new year for us is always sitting down re-evaluating what works and what doesn’t for promoting our business. Re-vamping our website. Adding new fresh photos from trendy weddings, new portrait ideas and the like… so while I’m refreshing my business I’m thinking about ways I can also help other businesses re-fresh their advertising options! Once of the main things I can think of is new headshots for you and your employees!
Marketing reports show that consumers are more likely to buy from a company if that company is likeable, approachable and has a social media presence. A professional head-shot says a lot about how a company conducts business. An outdoor shot in casual attire conveys a very different sense than a portrait in a business suit against a solid color backdrop. The type of photo that’s right for your business is a branding decision, but regardless of the business you are in, a blurry or poorly cropped picture conveys a sense of laziness and a lack of attention to detail that carries over to your organization’s reputation.
We all know it’s hard to find extra time to do things like get a new photograph taken, but putting this to the top of your “To Do” list will help you stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the main reasons it’s a good idea to update your photo:
1.) Keeping Your Image Up To Date- Aging is difficult on all of us and while we might not like the fact that we’ve put on extra pounds it is still important to have a recent head-shot. Imagine showing up to meet with a client that is expecting to meet with a thirty something person and realizing your closer to fifty. And there’s no reason your photo can’t have a little retouch done to it. A great professional will know just the right amount of Photoshop magic to use without making your image look like it isn’t you. A good rule of thumb is to not let your headshot get older than 3-4 years.
2.) Multiple Uses for The Image – While headshots were traditionally used for actors, in the digital world we live and work in today, having a great self-portrait is more important than ever. In your professional life, it could be the difference of landing the job vs staying unemployed for a few more months. In your personal life, it’s your first impression on social networks. For online dating, it could be the difference between landing a date and potentially meeting the girl or guy you can spend the rest of your life with. In a digital world, your profile picture is your first impression.
3.) Paying for a Pro – While saving money is always on people’s minds these days I would forgo the temptation to have someone take your photo with their cell phone. The old adage you get what you pay for rings true. A professional photographer knows just the right angles, poses and has little tips and tricks for making you look your best. Having the very best image of yourself out there will always be helpful in winning you the business. We urge clients to consider getting consistent headshots for your whole team so your company branding is constant from person to person and across all forms of communication. It really makes you look like you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into the professional image you are trying to portray.
4.) Consider an Environmental Portrait – Want to do something out of the ordinary and less boring than a simple one colored backdrop? Consider having your photographer photograph you in your working environment or doing something you love. Think a chef with a busy kitchen in the background or a real estate agent with their favorite home type to sell behind them. Whatever will lead the viewers to a better idea about what your occupation is or what you are selling can be used in this format.
Some years back I was hired to do video of one of my long time client’s daughter who was performing some solo pieces of music in the Lakewood Symphony which I enjoyed getting to film very much! Since I was on their radar they contacted me early last month to do some new photos for their advertising and so they could be included in the anniversary book coming out about Lakewood later this year. So not only did I get a great night of listening to classical music, but I got to capture some lovely images from the concert for them to use! I love the versatility in my job sometimes! Enjoy!
What a great day I had covering this event on a really hot day in July! Hirsch Precision asked their employees to come out on a weekend to volunteer their time to clean up a park that was in need of a little TLC and they picked East Park on Interlochen Blvd. near Hwy 36. It has a really great Frisbee golf course and large pavilion for group picnics, so if you ever have the privilege of using this park you can thank these hard workers for the beautiful work they did! I was impressed to see that it was also a family affair as most of the workers brought their family members to help out and celebrate at the company BBQ after all the hard work. While they put in some grueling hours in the hot sun cleaning up some areas that needed work they also got to enjoy the park afterwards with some burgers, salads and games! Thank you for having me there to capture this special event!
Attention to detail is what separates Beyond BodyWork from other massage clinics. Their staff works to tailor each massage session to the individual needs of the client. While they are all very skilled in a wide variety of massages, each therapist has their own niche. Theresa specializes in deep tissue work. She is very skilled at helping folks with chronic pain and stiffness issues. Courtney is skilled in reflexology, the art of using gentle pressure on the feet to create changes in other parts of the body. Rob works on both the muscles and the connective tissue to really get to the heart of the matter. In addition to massage, Beyond BodyWork also offers infrared sauna sessions to take the chill off of those cold winter days, essential oils and even counseling.
Check out the photos that we took of their office and staff a couple months ago to update their website! And of course go to their site to find out more about them! – https://www.beyondbodyworkco.com/
Courtney at Beyond BodyWork
Theresa at Beyond BodyWork
Rob at Beyond BodyWork
Employee at Beyond BodyWork
Infrared Sauna at Beyond BodyWork
Massage Table at Beyond BodyWork
Since our old Blog is still up I thought I would share a link to it in case anyone cares to look back in the old archives at anything. This blog dates from 2005 – til around 2012 or so… right up to when I had my first child! And then I took a little hiatus from blogging until I started up my new website and blog that you are now visiting! I was still working, but just couldn’t seem to find the time to blog! But I’m back! Trying to document all of the work we do to share with you amazing people! So if you want to see how far we’ve come in the past 12 years on the web check it out –
http://crystalinephoto.blogspot.com/
Feeling very blessed to have one of our photos taken of the Boulder Country Club for their marketing efforts to be published in the Wall Street Journal article! Check it out by clicking here!