  by Skip Cohen I've written about this topic a few times over the last ten years, and it's still one of the great mysteries of photography. I don't understand how so many professional photographers miss the mark on their headshot. As a pro, wouldn't you want that portrait of you on your "About" page to be the very best? Instead I've seen everything from bad selfies, to portraits that somebody's kid captured. They don't convey any level of professional skills in imaging. Meet Bev Walden - I've been friends with Bev and Tim Walden for easily twenty-five years, catching up at various industry events. She's a remarkable photographer and artist, and when I got one of her business/marketing emails a few years back, I noticed this portrait and grabbed a screenshot. While she's not using it currently, it's the perfect environmental portrait of an artist. It captures Bev's love for the craft. It's inviting and, combined with the work she shares on the Walden's Photography website, delivers a message of passion for the craft, trust, and expertise.  Captured by Howard Rosenberg Kay Eskridge is another artist who should be on your radar. I shared this image of Kay at least 4-5 years ago, but it makes another point. Use a headshot that shows you in action...AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.
My suggestion has always been a side shot of you with a camera in your hands and in the background, just beyond the depth of field, is your subject. Use your headshot to convey a great message about what you do as an artist. A great portrait alone doesn't demonstrate what you do for a living. This image of Kay might not have her subject in view, but what a kick for a client to see how much she loves the craft. Personally, I love the fact that it's black and white—it pushes the point of diversity in her creativity a little more. Neither of these two headshots are being used currently, and that makes another point - KEEP IT FRESH. Mix things up now and then, and even use a collage of three images - an environmental portrait, a shot of you working with a client and even a grab shot that relates to your work, for example, you editing an album. Your "About" page: Your target audience doesn't care what awards you've won, what gear you shoot with, or even how long you studied to be a photographer. They want to know WHY you love being a photographer, and for "Mom," she's looking to see if you can be trusted to capture images of her family the way she sees them. It doesn't matter how many awards you've gotten in print competition through WPPI or PPA - most of your clients don't even know what those associations are! So, stop writing long, boring bios about your awards, how many cameras you own, or how you got started in this business—cut to the chase and talk about your love for photography and helping clients capture great memories. Then, back it all up with a headshot like Beverly's or Kay's or a collage of several images that tell your story. Remember, you're message to convey being a professional photographer - that means a portrait better than Uncle Harry would capture!
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