Head Shot or Personal Branding- What’s the difference?
Head shot or branding…
There’s a difference in a head shot and a personal branding session. I will actually take it one step further and say, there’s a difference between a selfie, a head shot and a personal branding strategy.
But, what’s the difference and why should I care?
When you scroll through your social media accounts, you will see many ill-lite or filtered selfies representing professionals. Think about how they make you feel. Do you trust them? Would you go to them for advice or with your business? Would you hire them? I’m not saying you won’t get the job or be asked to speak if you have a selfie as your image - but, is that how you want to represent yourself?
I was always taught to put your best foot forward. And I know I’m guilty of using a cropped in family photo as my profile picture too. I liked how I looked back then - I was younger and thinner and no one could tell, right? Wrong! In fact, I was even called out for my photo by a VP at the company I was working who asked if it was a cropped picture. Good Lord, even he could tell.
What is Personal Branding?
A personal brand gives you a chance to stand out in the crowd. It works with a marketing plan and online presence. Think about it, if you want to do business with someone, you want to see their face, you want to see behind the scenes. You want to know WHO or WHAT you are working with. This involves a color scheme, a look and feel, posed and natural images that involve you and your product/service. It includes a head shot, but also provides more coordinated images you can use.
Just like head shots, personal brands need to be maintained and refreshed. Clients get tired of seeing the same images over and over. You start to look stagnant. But by switching out pictures or knowing when to use color vs. black and white. You can use images to tell your story over and over again.
Five Tips for Head Shots
Sometimes, all you need is a head shot. But there are tips to making sure you have a great head shot. The most important thing is that you represent yourself as you are now and put your best foot forward. Below are my top tips when considering your profile picture.
Know your purpose
There are different poses for different scenarios. If you are using a photo to gain clients, you might need a relaxed inviting pose. If you are using photos to find a job, you might need a professional shoulders up only pose or something that is more creative.
Know your audience
Just like when you’re interviewing, you need to know your audience and the vibe of the clientele or business you are pursuing. Does your look need to be relaxed or professional so you can display your knowledge.
Use a photo that shows your personality
When most people think about a head shot, they think dark suits and a blue or white background. Not everyone fits that mood. If a stiff photo in a suite, is not you, don’t do it. Find a photographer that will listen to story, what you want to portray and your brand or personal purpose.
Use a recent picture
Don’t use a picture from a decade ago - use a current image of you. The right image and angles can help you feel younger if you want, but acting your age is helpful. You want people to know what you bring to the table, and you bring more now than you did 20 years ago.
Use a professional picture
I know it’s tempting and, as I mention above, I’ve done it too. But don’t use a cropped family photo or a photo from your wedding to indicate professionalism. People do notice and it’s not professional. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on this, but you do need to get dressed and have someone snap a new profile photo .
Head shot or personal brand?
This leads me back to the question that we started with - do you need a head shot or personal branding?
A head shot is great for managers that are coming up in the ranks or employees that need a professional image. Head shots are for professionalizing your image when you are representing a larger entity. They are one or two pictures that can be used so that current and future employers see you.
A personal brand is something more. If you are you a small business owner, a freelancer, a speaker or entrepreneur (or want to be) you need branding. Do you have a website or social media presence? Do you have speaking engagements? Are you trying to sell your services or your products? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you need personal branding.
