So you need a business headshot. Do you want to go traditional, formal or casual?
As a
Dallas business headshot photographer, I work with all kinds of professions and executives and here's me advice so you can get the maximum benefit from your Dallas headshots:
What is your profession?
This is key to everything else. Professions in the legal and financial fields require high-trust business portraits. You don't want to go casual on those. Occasionally a lawyer will get both a "serious" and a more "friendly" version of their headshots. Often times in that case the "serious" (or fomal headshot) is for the website and the "casual" head-shot is for their social media.
I have had one case in which a bankruptcy attorney wanted to appear especially approachable to his prospects and did not want to put them off, as they were probably already in a distressed state. So he chose to add to his business portrait session with me, a casual headshot as well. But this is the exception.If you are in these fields, you want a suit-and-tie headshot, wearing more formal colors, but a portrait that is well-lit and shows you are both knowledgeable and approachable.
What about Doctor Headshots and Medical Portraits?
That is a good question. Yes, this profession is also very high-trust, like a lawyer or banker. Yes, this is the ideal time to present a knowledgeable and competent image to your prospects. But doctors often have lab coats (depending on the specifics of your field and your work). So by most perception, the lab coat portrait is often used as the "formal" business portrait, for both men and women.
That leaves us with the question of what to do with the non-lab-coat head shot. My advice as a professional photographer in Dallas that works with many doctors and hospital staff is to go with the jacket and tie. So this is not a place to go casual with your business photos.
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| Dallas Casual Business Headshots |
What about headshots for Dallas real estate agents?
It depends on your market. As a general rule of thumb, go a little more formal than your clientele dress. If you are a mortgage agent, a broker, etc., you want to look like you know what you are doing, of course, but this IS a place where your approachability is KEY to your success. If you are selling million dollar mansions in Preston Hollow, go with the tie, but otherwise, many customers are currently responding better to a less formal approach. Bottom line:
go casual with your business headshots and even consider having me take them outside the headshot studio in an
outdoors location.
Commercial real estate agents, will want to keep the suit jacket on. For residential real estate agents in Dallas, you can go either way, but I'd lean towards keeping the jacket but no tie, personally. If you get your headshot with just a dress shirt, keep in mind that wrinkles and folds around the armpits are almost impossible to avoid, so while I can try to minimize them, often times the result without a blazer looks TOO casual for this reason and could work against you.
What about student / graduate headshots - those trying to get their first job or internship?
It depends on the career path of course. I photograph lots of graduates going after an internship with a law firm or a medical internship. Your demeanor cannot be too serious in these cases or you risk looking
pompous. But this is a good place to look professional while keeping it on the
casual side by not wearing a tie.
Again, from what I see day in and day out, I lean towards keeping a suit jacket (or sport coat of some kind) in the photo for any "white collar" or corporate type of job. You can always dress a little down once you and your prospective employer are on more familiar terms, but for making that first impression, show them you have a nice look that you can
rise to the occasion when called upon to do so.
What is the overall pulse in today's headshot market?
Today more than ever, companies are trying to aboice that stuffy, distant look that turns prospects away for some other firm they feel would be more responsive to their needs. As a businesspersona you should know that you have to make it all about your customer.
Professions that used to be much more formal, such as architecture, construction, and customer service are all moving in a more casual direction – so as to show they are here to serve and listen to you. If that fits you, then strongly consider adding a casual headshot version to our business headshots photo session.
Combine professional attire, with extra attention to your grooming (That means
you, men. And ladies don't go overboard on makeup), with your approachable attitude. In this way your prospective employer or customer or colleague gets the visual impression that you have
high expertise, combined with
likeability. That helps them want to
engage with you for more business deals and
profits headed your way!
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| Casual Business Portraits in Dallas |
Conclusion for Dallas Headshots
Look at this example to the left. The tie-less look is more casual, but still classy. This is your goal. But along with that professionalism, is the message that your are
friendly coming in loud and clear. Your
attitude is an essential part of a successful casual business headshot. Show you are capable and organized with your semi-casual attire, and show that you are welcoming to new opportunities with your genuine smile. Don't worry; I will help you achieve this look for best results – whether you are that CEO, looking for a raise or career transition or just starting your career.
For that likeable and confident, yet highly attractive professional image call my Dallas headshots studio at
1-877-858-0071 and visit
http://HeadShotPros.com
