Your Online Profile: How to Get a Good Headshot

Recently, I had a new headshot taken by Aimee Giese of Greeblemonkey. My last professional photograph was taken in 2006 and I had been using a picture a friend took two years ago in all my online profiles. I was way overdue for an update.

What makes a good headshot
Your picture is part of your personal brand – what does it say about you? For example, if you’re blogging to support your accounting business, you should look smart and professional. (Keep those reading glasses on!) If you’re running a personal blog, your photo can be more casual. Think about what you want convey – friendly, funny, serious, professional, geeky, adventurous, etc.

The next step is to find someone to take your picture. You may have a friend or relative who’s a good amateur photographer. Try some shots indoors and out. Remember to keep the backgrounds simple and use natural lighting when possible. Smile, have fun, act natural and be yourself!

Editing your portrait
You can use a photo editing program to get rid of redeye, blemishes, glare and shadows. I used an online picture editor, Picnik ($24.95/year for the upgrade) to smooth out the uneven skin tone in my headshot. (And to get rid of a few laugh lines as well, if you really must know.) Finally, make sure that your photo looks good as a small avatar. If you’re barely visible it may mean that your photo has to be cropped to show just your face.

Hiring a professional photographer
You may decide hiring a pro is the way to go. Ask around to see where business people in your area have their portraits taken. You can also use BetterBusinessShots.com to find photographers nearby. Ask if they have a studio or will meet you at an outdoor location if that’s what you’d prefer.
The cost for a typical headshot will start in the $150 to $200 range and go even higher. Inquire about sitting fees, getting digital copies loaded on a disc or jump drive, having  prints made, and touch ups. Also, don’t forget to include the cost of a trip to your favorite salon for professional styling and makeup – or having your stylist and a makeup artist come to the shoot.

Portraiture ownership
Find out before the shoot if you can purchase full rights and ownership of your headshot to use in any manner that you like. According to the Local Focus Photography blog,

…typically the photographer retains all rights to the image…and that includes all associated fees and costs.
Unless you have specified in a contract that you are purchasing exclusive rights to the photo and, the odds are…you don’t actually own the image.

Full rights may be too expensive. Instead, find out how much it will be for a low to medium resolution digital copy that you can use online. You may also want to purchase a few prints for your husband and mom. Make sure that all charges are specified in writing before you have your portrait taken. That way there aren’t any surprises or extra costs.
If you have purchased rights to make additional prints from a digital file, make sure you have a release form from the photographer. Believe me, the clerks at Walgreens will ask for it, so bring a copy with you when you pick up your photos.
More on having a professional portrait taken

• Projecting the right image: 5 tips for having a great professional portrait taken
• Why All Business Women Should Have a Professional Portrait of Themselves
• Professional Business Portraits Portraits of Distinction – some good tips from a professional photographer

Anne-Marie Nichols is the Social Media Manager at Mom Central Consulting. You can also find her blogging up some healthy recipes at This Mama Cooks!

Anne-Marie Nichols