Photography can serve as a powerful vehicle of forward momentum, a personal and professional act of optimism and action. The energetic exchange that happens at my sessions fills me and my clients with such a feeling of purpose, connection, and possibility. Often it serves as a celebration of the present and a commitment toward the future. As I’ve been told from many clients over the years, a great photo session can be one of the best investments you can make for you and your business.

If you still need encouragement to make the leap, here are some key reasons why you should update your headshots now.

STAND OUT.

No matter what your industry is, it’s likely that the first (and second and third) time someone meets you it will be online. The ability to stand out in a highly competitive and distraction-filled landscape while attracting and engaging with your ideal audience can make all the difference when making that critical first impression. While I love a casual selfie, it may not be the best choice for supporting your business and being taken seriously. A professional photo created through careful strategy and skill can make a dramatic difference when you are competing against the constant scroll. Professionalism and attention to detail matters.

COMMUNICATE EXPECTATIONS.

How do you want people to feel when they meet you? What is the first impression you wish to convey? Are you knowledgeable, trustworthy, compassionate? Are you fun, accessible, collaborative? All of these characteristics and more can be communicated through your wardrobe, posing, facial expressions, lighting and backgrounds, and shooting and editing choices. Having images that reflect the spirit of you and your business builds a sense of rapport between you and your community that deepens connection.

BE AUTHENTIC.

Let’s be honest. How old is your profile photo? If it’s more than a couple years old, you probably need an update, so it matches with how you look and wish to position yourself. When people meet you face to face or even see a snapshot or video of you online does it match with their image of you? You want people to recognize you for who you are now. And while I understand the temptation, this is not the time for a dramatic makeover. You should look like YOU on your very best day. Authenticity matters.

BE READY.

You need to be able to make the most of opportunities. And our world moves quickly. Let’s imagine you are contacted for a prominent feature or interview with a leading media outlet in your field. How exciting! But they need a photo tomorrow. What are you going to send? Having a quality image bank that you can pull from to communicate to your audience transforms you from just another face in the crowd to a leader on the stage.

OWN WHO YOU ARE AND CELEBRATE IT.

You are amazing, and you have been through so much and worked hard to get to this point. A photography session is a significant act of love and respect, a beautiful and bold action to honor where you have been and where you are going. If you feel even a spark of intuition while reading this that you want to stand in the light of who you are and honor that with images please reach out. I would love to work with you!

Clients featured in order: Cris Ramos, Lisa Zahiya, Hannah Cole, Rachael Chatham