La Femme Boudoir Photography

LinkedIn: Why Having a Professional Headshot is More Important Than Ever

April 29, 2019

You should replace Your Smartphone Photo with Professional Headshots on Linkedin.

So a couple of months back I signed into LinkedIn for the first time in years. I was stunned to see that it looked a lot like Facebook. The look of the platform had completely changed since I first joined and, in my opinion, for the better. I felt like I actually knew what to do on LinkedIn now and how to interact with my connections.

The Importance of Professional Headshots for your LinkedIn Photo

I realized that tons of people I knew had tried to connect with me over the years but I'm pretty sure I spammed LinkedIn emails a while back and that's why I didn't see them until now (disclaimer). I started going through them and other suggested connections and I was astounded at how many professionals and entrepreneurs were using cell phone photos as professional profile photos. Nevermind the ones where they just cropped their own face out of a photo with friends. Whoa. I thought Maybe they're just not active on LinkedIn and don't care what their profile looks like. I get it. I wasn't on LinkedIn for years until just now and my profile was very outdated. I move past that thought and start reading to see what everyone's been up to.

The Professional Headshots Made me Click on a Profile

I came to a couple of realizations once I was through.

1. I saw that many profiles do have professional headshots.

2. I tended to only be clicking on profiles that had professional headshots, skipping over most of the others.

3. Even those who were active on LinkedIn and in prominent positions were going without a professional photo and it was throwing me off big time. Even business owners!

Professional Headshot by Christina Wesley Photography

"Whether for a social profile or your company’s website, the quality and style of your headshot conveys a lot about you as a person and signals how you conduct business. ... 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 a sloppiness and a lack of attention to detail that carries over to your organization’s reputation."

- Forbes

A Solid Professional Presence Starts with a Professional LinkedIn Photo

This day in age our online presence, including our social profiles, can make or break us. It could decide whether you get that position, next sale or client, or the other guy does. Even if you are currently in a career you love and aren't looking to change companies, there's no knowing who might be scouting you out for a more interesting, better-paying opportunity. There are so many reasons you should not go a day without a solid, professional presence especially on a platform such as LinkedIn.

Did you know that in Germany a headshot is required as a part of your resume?

You, your image, and your interests can be just as important as your skills when it comes to landing the job of your dreams. When a company is looking to take on a new team member and pay them lots of money, they want to know who they are bringing in and how you will be representing them. If you were applying for your dream job at Trek you'd want to include a clean, professional image of yourself showing some kind of interest in bikes, wearing attire that is relevant to their company and its culture. Not an iPhone photo taken by your girlfriend at the last wedding you attended. Who you are, what you do in your free time, and how you present yourself on social media platforms could significantly set you apart from the rest of the applicants.

la-femme-boudoir-professional-headshot-lifestyle-portrait-humanresources

So I had to ask, and I did. On my Facebook page I polled,

     What is keeping you from having a professional headshot?

And you all answered:

    Too expensive, and too time consuming.


And born was the Drop-In Headshot Day.

Breaking The Myth of the Expensive Professional Headshot

I decided that twice a month I would spend the day in the studio ready to take on quick portrait sessions for anyone who stopped in. Professionals, business owners, real estate agents, salesmen... Anyone could drop in on their lunch break or whenever they found free time in their day, no appointment needed, and have a new headshot without breaking the bank. They would spend a few minutes being photographed, choose their favorite image right on the spot, and have their shiny new headshot sent directly to their inbox within 24 hours.

Voilà!

Drop-In Headshot Day at Christina Wesley Photography, West Hartford, CT. Looking for a quick, inexpensive new headshot? Come by, no appointment necessary

Your Portraits Needs to Convey Who You Are

And let's just get one thing straight. Headshots don't have to be stuffy, superposed, and rigid. This photo is meant to convey who you are as a person, so your personality should shine through. If you a serious, determined, hardworking individual and that's how you got to where you are today, then, by all means, be photographed that way. But if you're a bubbly, bright, talkative person then you're going to want to showcase that side of you. Again, potential employers and even those who might be seeking you out as a mentor want to know who they're contacting. They want to know what you are all about! Have fun with it and let this be a chance to show your true colors.

A Small Investment that Improves Your Overall Image

Have an extra $99 to invest in your career and 30 minutes to spare? Problem solved, people. The reasons have been given and the obstacles have been addressed. Technically speaking, our online presence (including our LinkedIn profile) should be considered our digital storefront and baby, you are the main commodity. We are not mailing in resumes these days; we are being scouted and our profiles scoured. If your LinkedIn profile is being passed by because the first thing a potential client sees (your photo) isn't appealing then you've already lost the opportunity. You aren't even being considered. Game over. Don't be that guy. Be game. Just do it.

I sincerely hope that this post has helped you move in the direction of booking yourself a much-deserved headshot session.

You deserve it!

Looking for some professional headshot inspiration?

Check out my portrait page for my portfolio where you can find lots of inspiration from my studio and others!

- Christina

INTERESTED IN BOOKING A BOUDOIR SHOOT?

First, please read through the FAQ here,
and if you'd like move forward with a phone or studio consultation to discuss a session further,
please fill out the form below!

Tell me everything you envision in your Boudoir Shoot.

What are you most excited to capture & celebrate?

I will get back to you within 24-48 business hours!

How Much Do Album Collections Start At?

Album Collections start at $1050. Each collection includes 10+ images in a beautiful custom designed album.

How Much Is Required To Lock In Your Session?

$500 is required to lock in your session date, and payment plans are available.

Are Payment Plans Available?

Yes, payment plans are available! I'll help you plan your payments so you can stay comfortably within your budget.

I'm So Nervous! Is A Boudoir Session For Me?

Girl, everyone goes into this being nervous in some way, shape or form. If you weren't nervous I'd be surprised. I'd be nervous! The good news is that those nerves will dissolve within minutes. This session is all about you. We work together to stay within your comfort level, focus on the aspects of you that you're most proud of, and the whole session will feel like a woman-to-woman hangout. You're going to be stunned at how beautiful you look through my lens, and I can't wait to see your reaction! I work with mothers, single ladies, newly single ladies, brides, nurses, girls in their 20s, women in their 50s, and everyone in-between. I'm even hired to photograph other boudoir photographers! A boudoir session is for you, and your grandma too. Read 15 Reasons you deserve your boudoir session if you need more convincing.

How Long Have You Been A Boudoir Photographer?

I've been surrounded by photography my entire life. My parents are Master Photographers, and my brother is also an amazing photographer who specializes in weddings. (You can read more about this in my bio.) I started photographing weddings with my parents when I was a young teenager, and from there I fell in love with portrait photography. Especially portraits of women. I find it so interesting that each woman I work with is so different than the last but at the same time we share so many similar experiences. I knew I wanted to photograph intimate portraits of women long before boudoir photography became a thing. I focused on women's portraiture in early 2011, started La Femme boudoir in 2012, and the brand officially became an establishment in 2017. I've photographed hundreds of women and it never gets old. When I'm not photographing women, I'm photographing past boudoir clients' families and new babies, and I wouldn't change that for anything. You can see some of those non-boudoir portraits here.

What Is Your Retouching Process Like?

While Photoshop is our friend, I’m not going to over-retouch and make you look like someone you’re not. I will use lighting and posing to accentuate your best assets and make you look like the best version of yourself. Photoshop is there to rid the eye of distractions, minimize flyaway hairs, get rid of a light switch or two, and other non-life-altering functions. I will also use Photoshop to smooth out skin, minimize pores, and get rid of lint & wrinkles within reason. Once we narrow your images down to your favorites for your album, we'll go over my retouching process and look at each image a bit more closely. That being said, YOU are beautiful and so are your curves. We are women, our skin is soft, and our bodies are capable of miracles. Let's celebrate all that!

Will You Help Me Prepare For My Shoot?

Absolutely! I'm here to help you from the moment you contact me until the moment you get your products, and beyond. As soon as we lock in our date I'll send you some resources I've written especially for clients of La Femme Boudoir, as well as a Lingerie Guide with tons of links to lingerie shops and blogs for guidance. I want this experience to be as fun, exciting, and stress-free as possible and I do my best to make myself available for any questions and concerns you might have. After our session, I'll have you back in to guide you through the photo selection process. Many times, this is a same-day viewing so you won't even have to wait more than a couple hours to see your images! After our viewing and ordering session, I'll design a custom album layout based on your favorite images, which you'll be able to approve prior to production. Clients have told me that my process is incredibly helpful and stress-free, and that's why they've kept me as their personal photographer since!

What Can I Expect When I Book A Boudoir Session With You?

Fun, excitement, empowerment, and a whole new sense of confidence. Jump over to my blog to read more about What to expect from your boudoir session.

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