Tag: headshot photography

The importance of booking a professional photographer for your headshots

Author profile shoot by Naomi Lloyd Photography

Headshots are an important tool for professionals in many industries. From actors and models to business executives and entrepreneurs, a professional headshot is often the first impression you make with potential clients, employers, or collaborators. While it may be tempting to rely on a quick selfie or have a friend snap a photo with their smartphone, booking a professional photographer for your headshots is a worthwhile investment that can make all the difference in your career.

Professional Headshot taken by Naomi Lloyd Photography in Portsmouth.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider booking a professional photographer for your headshots:

  1. Quality of the final product

Professional photographers have the skills and expertise to capture high-quality images that showcase your best features and convey the message you want to convey. They have the right equipment, lighting, and technical knowledge to create a final product that is sharp, clear, and visually appealing.

  1. Image consistency

When you book a professional photographer, you can expect a consistent level of quality and style across all your headshots. This is especially important if you plan to use your headshots across different platforms, such as your website, social media, or printed marketing materials. Consistency in your branding is key to creating a professional image.

  1. Creative input

Professional photographers can provide valuable creative input and suggestions to help you achieve the look and feel you want for your headshots. They can advise you on the best clothing choices, backgrounds, and poses to ensure that your headshots represent you in the best possible light.

  1. Time-saving

Booking a professional photographer can save you time and hassle. You don’t have to worry about setting up the shot, adjusting the lighting, or editing the final product. Instead, you can focus on what you do best – preparing yourself for the shoot and bringing your best self to the session.

  1. Professionalism

When you book a professional photographer, you signal to potential clients or employers that you take your career seriously and are willing to invest in yourself. This professionalism can go a long way in building trust and credibility with others in your industry.

In conclusion, booking a professional photographer for your headshots is a smart investment that can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace. It is an opportunity to showcase your best self and make a lasting impression on others. So, whether you’re an actor, entrepreneur, or business executive, consider investing in a professional headshot to elevate your career to the next level.

To find out more about the headshot and profile photo shoots I offer click here:

https://www.naomilloyd.co.uk/professional-profile-and-online-dating-portraits

Professional Headshot taken by Naomi Lloyd Photography at Stansted Park

Professional headshot taken by Naomi Lloyd Photography at The Square Tower, Southsea

Visual content is important for your personal brand – Naomi Lloyd

Your image. Your personal brand. Your story.

The first time I heard the phrase, ‘personal branding’, I was less than impressed. I had just finished reading ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ – a book set in a dark version of the future, where fertile women are branded with ear clips and poked with cattle prods – and I was particularly sensitive to the concept of human branding in general.

Today, I am a huge fan of this term.

Why, you may ask?

Because, jumping off my storytelling chair for a moment – please bear with me, I’m an author as well as a photographer – I now realise just how important personal branding is. In fact, I actively embrace the term.

I just prefer to add a tagline to it:

Personal branding: taking control of your story

In this new world we are living in, it’s vital that we take control of our personal image and our story online: who we are, what we do and what we can offer.

Think of it as the book cover for your story – with you as the one and only designer.

What is a personal brand?

You may not be aware that you already have a personal brand. Well, trust me, you do. If you don’t believe me, try googling yourself and see what pops up. And then, ask yourself if the profile image you selected for Linked In, Facebook and other social media reflects you in the best light possible?

Or perhaps a better question might be: how would a potential employer judge you from what they see on their screens?

Would you be happy with what they saw?

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but believe me, they do – I’ve changed my books covers twice already. And it’s exactly the same with your online profile photographs.

Personal branding and professional headshot photography is about taking control of your story, your narrative – the images that will attract people to you, rather than passing you over: the kind of people who will appreciate what you have to say.

My personal brand

Image One

Image Two

This is my brand. It’s taken me a while to work it out, but I can honestly say that I’m finally happy with these images and what I believe they say about me.

Like many people I wear more than one professional hat. Image one is Naomi Lloyd, the photographer. Image two is Naomi E Lloyd, the sci-fi/fantasy author.

In the first image, my occupation is obvious. The camera is an easy prop! In the second image my branding is more subtle. I am wearing the bespoke neckpiece I had designed for my book series (Tandro) and yes, this is the same neckpiece that appears on my book covers. Subtle, but hopefully it is reflective of the image I want to portray: a metaphysical, other-worldly theme.

If I google my name, I am happy with my images on social media and other photographs that are connected to both my photography and my author businesses. To me, they illustrate that my career is spent chasing the light – both through my stories and with my camera.

When I look at these images together, I feel two important things:

focused on balancing two creative and complimentary professions; and, confident about who I am and what my skills and creative passions provide.

This is my story. But what is yours?

A professional headshot: A narrative

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

I’m sure you have heard this quote before. It’s one that always makes me smile.

On my writing days I aim to follow Stephen King and write 2,000 words a day. And on my photography days, I may not take as many photographs as the words I write, but the ones I do are all focused on telling a person’s individual story – and in the most attractive light.

Taking control of your online story

As already mentioned, your personal brand is already online so now is the time to take control of it. Don’t let the guys at Silicon Valley tell your story for you, because if you post the bleary-eyed photo of you from that night you can barely remember, that’s exactly what they (or their algorithms) will do. That version of you had fun but he’s not your every-day brand. At least, I doubt he is anyway.

There’s never been a better time to take control of your online personal brand and tell your story.

Visit Naomi Lloyd to book a photo session for your

LinkedIn and other business profiles.

Samples photos can be seen on this page.