Do You Have A Professional Photo?

Posted by Sean Harry

If you don’t already have a professional head shot photo, the obvious question is, “Why would I need one?”

Well, you DO need a professional photo, and here’s why:

  • In your job search you are going to be posting your profile in several places on the Internet – i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.
  • You want to present a professional appearance when you post online. A grainy photo cut out of last year’s family trip to Disneyland won’t do.  Besides, what if your Photoshop skills aren’t good enough to completely eliminate the Mouse ears?
  • One set of Google search results will be photos of you that are posted online.  Really. Go to Google right now and check it out by searching for yourself.  We can wait. . . what did you find? If you didn’t find any pictures for yourself, just type in my name – Sean Harry.  Scary, huh?!
  • A professional photo can help you look your best even when you don’t feel like it.
  • You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  What if that firt impression is online? You DO NOT want to look like an axe murderer!

Just because you aren’t a movie star or a professional politician doesn’t mean you don’t need a professional head shot for your job search.  EVERYONE needs a professional head shot these days!

Here are a couple of tips for getting that perfect head shot:

  1. HIRE A PROFESSIONAL.  This is one of those job search expenses (like a good suit) that is essential and worth it! Check with your accountant, because it might even be a tax deductible expense for you. We’re talking $50 – $200
  2. Have them give you at least three digital copies in different sizes – small (100×100, about 10 KB),medium (250×250, about 50 KB), and large (500×500, about 250 KB).
  3. JPEG is the most commonly accepted image type.  Your professional may also suggest another format for your needs.
  4. Get a referral from someone you trust. When you see a professionally taken profile photo that you like, ask the person who’s picture it is for a referral to their photographer.  Here are a couple of folks who I trust and who’s work I REALLY like: Pete Wright (Fifth and Main – hey! He even made ME look good!), and Aaron Hockley (A Hockley photography).

Yes.  You need a professional photo.  This is perhaps one of the simplest and most cost effective job search tip you will ever receive. What are you waiting for?

Happy hunting!

30 Day Blogging Challenge – day 2.  Tomorrow’s post: “Getting Paid: An Interview with Lori Hensel of Paychex.”

Category : Career Advice / Personal Brand

One Response to “Do You Have A Professional Photo?”


William @ DIY Video Marketing December 2, 2009

And if you just absolutely can’t afford to hire a pro, do this:

1) Borrow a friend’s camera and tripod. Someone out there has a good one. Borrow the friend, too.
2) Use a long lens. For a full-frame 35mm camera, an 85mm lens is commonly used. For the new digital SLRs like the Canon Digital Rebel, use a 50mm. If it’s a zoom, set it to about that length.
3) You’ll sit relatively far from the lens. That’s cool.
4) Don’t use the flash– use sunlight, reflected gently from the floors & walls. Early morning & evening work best, when the light slants.
5) You want the background out of focus. Set the aperture open wide, to like 2.0 or 2.8 or so.
6) Take a bunch! Like 40 or 50. Digital’s cheap. Print the best.