You Call That a Head Shot?

10/23/2014

4 Comments

It's so hard to write about this topic and not make it sound like a rant, but here's the point. If you're following my blog the majority of you are aspiring professional or working professional photographers. Knowing that potential clients are friending you on Facebook then why wouldn't you have a decent head shot? Even worse, why would the header for your Facebook page not show one of your better images?

Aren't you tired of having a bad selfie represent what you do for a living, supposedly better than anybody else? Why wouldn't you want to strut a little and show what you're all about? Seriously, this is about packaging, yours!

I realize some of you have Facebook pages that started out as personal pages for family and friends, but over the last few years everything has changed. Everybody has access to us and unless you've done an outstanding job of controlling your page to friends only, there's a solid likelihood that potential clients are following you as well.

I grabbed a few random head shots from the Facebook pages of some of my favorite people in photography above, just to make a point. Your head shot, since you're in the business, should at least look professional. Then I grabbed a few of headers to share.

Michele Celentano is all about people. Her header along with the headshot of her daughter are all about her family.

I love the image Eddie used for the header and especially the way he brought Judy into his Facebook presence.

If you've spent any time with Sal then you know that smile is almost a trademark. Put the head shot together with a terrific image and it's simply a great looking presentation.

Here's the point...you're working so hard to build a reputation as a photographer and social media is a vital part of the equation. Don't treat your Facebook page like an afterthought. Use Facebook along with Google+, Pinterest and Twitter to help build and expand your brand.

Most important of all, remember that a picture is still worth a thousand words, maybe even more!

4 Comments

"Why?"

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Chris Smith link

10/23/2014 05:29:58 am

noted and already planning my shot now.

Cheers,

Alex link

10/24/2014 02:58:12 pm

What do you recommend for a brand that is NOT your self? For instance, we are Peach Tea Photography, NOT Sal Cincotta Photography... thoughts?

Skip Cohen

10/25/2014 12:39:57 am

When using a company logo and not the name of your business you've got several ways to go with your head shot. First, you can still use a great head shot if you're the lead or sole photographer. Second, if there are several of you, do a tight group shot. With either image, make it a point to make it a good portrait. Third, it's your call, but you can use your company logo. My preference is to always try and share a people shot, but my point to the post was more to get people to think about the horrible images they currently put up. Anything is better than a bad selfie, picture of your dog, etc.

10/25/2014 03:52:42 am

Thanks for the reply! Totally get your point about just making it professional. In our instance, my wife and I run the business and she would technically be the 'lead' photographer, while I am more focused on the business side of things (marketing, accounting, etc.). If you have a moment, what is your opinion of our page? : https://www.facebook.com/peachteaphotos

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