After posting headshots of my sweet friend Morgan yesterday, got a few questions about headshots and their importance for all people who own their own small business (focusing you boss babes today!).  Whether you are a photographer, a private editor, a florist, or own your own KEEP, 31, POSH, etc company, I think it is so important to share yourself as a part of your business. Friends, there are so many people doing what you do.  There are many others putting you in a sea of talent, even though there are many different levels of what you do.  What sets you apart is who you are.  And in the social media age, who are is linked to YOU- to your smiling face!  I think this is a tricky concept for people because they are either uncomfortable with what they look like or they thing it shouldn’t have to be a part of their business.  But when there are so many others doing what you are doing, setting yourself apart becomes about who you are.  Your “why” to your business, the way you serve and give to your clients differently, how you build relationships with people.  And having a few high quality professional images that show that can really help people identify with you and put a face to that story.  And therefore be much more interested in supporting you.

3 tips for planning your headshots

1). Make sure they are genuinely YOU.  Whatever you choose to plan for clothing and location and style, make sure that they are genuinely things that represent you!  As a small business owner, all of your online presence and branding should speak to who you are as a person.  I use a fair amount of sparkle and glitter in my branding because it makes me feel the joy that I feel when working on the musical stage with my students.  I utilize triangles because they represent many different important sets of “3” in my life.  And my branding colors are my very favorite colors that are represented in my home and wardrobe as well. So when I get my headshots taken- I make sure these and more areas are represented!

2). This might be a little bit controversial, but I also think your headshots should also represent your style. So as a photographer, my headshots need to be taken by someone who takes joyful and bright images, and possibly using some of that beautiful glowy light I love…because that is what MY images look like! That doesn’t mean I can’t love many other styles (and I do!).  But it would be confusing to see headshots on my website that are dark and moody and matte when that is not what any other piece of my website will look like.

3). Make sure you are in an environment that you can be most comfortable in, even though the situation might not be so comfortable, and choose someone who makes you feel like you!  I think it can be helpful to have someone you know take these sorts of images, since they are all about you.  It would only make it easier on you for the environment and photographer to be familiar.

I include headshots in all of my mentoring sessions for photographers and small business owners because I think they are such an important part of your business!  The strengths in my business at this point lie in social media use and client interaction- and these are topics that apply to small business owners of all sorts.  I am booking mentoring sessions for 2017 now- reach out to me if you are interested in more information about how a session like this can change and improve your business immediately.