Why should I get my head shot done at a location outside?

Questions of the Day!

One of the many things we get all of the time is, “You know, I just want a studio shot for my business”, “I just need a shot with a background to put on my website, social media, and business card”. These are all great in certain circumstances like if you want to travel back to the 80s and start a business. Or, maybe you want to start a dating profile for kicks but you don’t actually want anyone to be interested. All kidding aside though, the reasons for getting your head shot done at a location outside, or in photography terms, “on-location” are important for you to realize for yourself and your business.

Learn from my pain!

So here is a story of pain that I have gone through, but I am hoping it will benefit you through reliving my experience. About three years ago I was commissioned with the important job of scanning notebooks full of business cards into a database for someone. Why did I do it? I really don’t know, but that’s neither her nor there. I started to notice the different business cards and realized that there were some I could care less about and others that would actually make me stop and look at the card. When I finally realized what it was that was making me stop and look, I came to a great realization. I found that there were head shots on the cards of the ones that grabbed my attention more than others. How were they different you ask? Let me explain. A lot of the cards had no image (if you’re one of those, then we really need to talk), then there were the ones that had the typical, arms crossed or to the side, body slightly turned one direction, and head facing towards the camera with the same smile that was plastered on the business cards before it. These had become so common place that they didn’t even faze me when I flipped through them. The ones that did capture my attention were the ones that, seemingly, drew me into their personality and professionalism just through their image! And can you guess where THOSE images were shot? You got it. On location. The one that I think of immediately was of a man sitting on the brick stairs of a porch to a home with potted plants. He used this whole image to take up the whole of his business card, rather than chopping it to a small square around his face and chest to squeeze into the corner of his business card. I concluded that if I were ever to have a business, I would want my head shot to capture people’s attention like that. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what are we communicating to people with our thousand word first impression of us on our business card, website, or social media?

So, why does it matter, right?

Why it matters #1: First Impressions matter

Whether you’re meeting a potential client for the first time or you’re meeting a potential date for the first time, how important is your first impression on them? HUGE, right? So, then what are you communicating to your clients, partners, family, friends through your images? If you look at your image and you find it looks like everyone else, then are you communicating that you are like everyone else? If you look at your image and you find that it doesn’t communicate who you are and what your brand is, effectively, then it’s time to re-evaluate your image.

Why it matters #2: Your image communicates YOU

When people view your image, you are communicating to them through it. Like I mentioned earlier, a picture is worth a thousand words, so what are you communicating to them? We like to find a location that fits you and that you are comfortable at, because how you feel shines through your image. People want to see someone who looks comfortable, confident, and approachable. By shifting your images to an on location shoot, the parts of you that you want to come through and be conveyed to your potential clients,partners, family, and friends will represent you and your brand a whole lot better than the everyday head shots of others.

Why it matters #3: People are able to relate to you better

Why do people hire you to do what you do? Because they like you and feel a connection to you. More and more, when you notice TV ads, they try to find ways to relate to people. I think about the Apple Facetime commercial that came out when Facetime was first being launched. It highlighted the lives of 3 different people, but for what purpose? So, that people could relate! When you do an on-location shoot, you relate to others. Say a guy who is a potential client sees a photo of you on the beach. Maybe they just happen to LOVE the beach. Subconsciously, you’ve just communicated to them that you are alike. I’m not saying that this is magic, but what do you think the chances are that he will contact you verse someone else who is posed like everyone else in a studio with lights pointed at them? I would say you’ve at least increased them a little and any sort of increase in that direction is great for competing against other companies, right?

Our Heart in This

Our heart in this is to truly communicate to you how important your images are to your business success. Whether you go with us or you find someone else to do your head shots for you, we want to know that we’ve encouraged you in some way to do something different. You are different from every other person out there and your unique personality has the ability to change people’s lives for the better. Start communicating who you are and what you stand for with others and see what amazing things happen today.

If you would like to talk to us more about what we do for our clients and their head shot sessions, you can contact us at info@kincannonphotography.com or by calling 714-485-8958 to set up a consultation. Have a blessed day!

Orange County Family Photographer, Kincannon Photography is a professional photographer in Orange County, California capturing newborn, seniors, dog, children and family portraits.

Kincannon Photography is based in Yorba Linda, and serves all surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Irvine, Corona Del Mar, Brea, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Villa Park, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, and other surrounding Orange County metro areas.