What We Already Know
It’s clear that as a business professional, you need to have yourself presented in a professional way. You secure your branded domain, you dress clean and tidy when networking, you have your logo and branding values worked out.
But what about the visual side?  I know that you know that you should have a collection of branded headshots at your disposal for showing the world what you look like.  But in this blog, I want to talk about what to do when a headshot is just out of the question for you right now.
 
WTF Is a Branded Headshot Laura?
Before we jump into some tricks, lets quickly clarify the current standard in headshots right now in the world.

You should be renewing them at least every 2 years.
You should be renewing your headshots at least every 2 years with a new shoot. Think for a minute about how much your business changed in the last two years.  Then AFTER that, you can go into the thoughts around your different hair and crow’s feet.
A headshot is to show the world you in your CURRENT BUSINESS.  We now need to see what you do now.  Not then!  Go and take a look at the recent #oldheadshotday on Twitter.  Everyone is doing this.

So Long Adult School Photo!
Say goodbye to that £25 special from the expo you went to that time in 2012. You are sitting in front of the brightly lit white backdrop the same as the other 49 people that tramped through to the sad little pop-up set.
Sounds as dull as you can imagine.  I promise you now that the photographer was unable to pull out your true authenticity as you sat there with the passers-by swan necking.  The smell of cheap instant coffee and roll up banner sealant on the air.
49 other people have your exact same headshot baby.  Ditch it now or fade away into the blank beige noise whilst eating the cold porridge of yesteryear.

The Bar is Here Now.
All the best photographers have been working away for the last few years.  What we do when we shoot a branded headshot involves a lot more consideration and attention to your uniqueness. The planning of a headshots session means analysing your brand, your business goals and looking together at things from more of a narrative context.  The headshots that actually convert are the ones that have been thought out, planned and executed with all of these things in mind.
 

 
It's a great time to be a headshots photographer, I love to call this our “digital renaissance”.
 
Yeah Yeah… Nice Luv
You may have just read all that and given me some guffaws from your phone or desktop.  Maybe you just muttered something like,
“Lovely sweetheart…. Who’s paying for that then?”
Or
“Chance to find the time to prance around with the likes of you would be charming I’m sure.”
 
It’s cool… I know.
 
No really
 
I do.
 

via GIPHY

 
Investing time, money or even the will to set about getting some fabulous headshots taken may be far off ahead into the distance for you.  But, we can’t escape the fact that there is a whole world of prospects out there who are just dying to know that little bit more about you before taking the plunge and putting that booking in, making that first appointment with you, or even just hitting that “buy” button on your site that you lovingly laid out for them on your website.
 
Houston We’ve Got A Problem
So, what to do?
How can I help you right now to get more things rocking and rollin’ in your business so that the fabulosity headshot moves quickly from that titchy horizon and into our current field of vision?
 

via GIPHY

 
For the last year or so I cannot tell you how many times I have been DM’d, stopped mid-shoot when I’m working with my camera or even emailed about selfies.

Houston We’ve Got Some Questions
About 6 months ago, I was so interested by the continual questions that I set out about conducting a little research for myself.  I started trying to gauge how folks used and felt about selfies.  I did this in person, with total randoms waiting in queues or mid-flight.  I went around some different forums in social media too.
The results were fascinating to me.  Turns out people feel a very strong way about selfies!  Now it’s not necessarily a torch blazing Brexit type opinion here. 

 

 
Houston We Have Some Answers
What I’m saying is if you are going to take a little time and think about your current views on selfies for a minute then the chances are, you will fall into one of these three categories:

a)    Love ‘em!  Selfies for breakfast, selfies for lunch, selfies for dinner.  “Let’s do a selfie now to mark this moment shall we?”.

b)   A definite Hmmmmmmmmm.  (read this with the voice of Marge Simpson) Selfies are for you, “Are only appropriate in the way I’ve decided they are.”  i.e. “Just for Kids”, “Just with the kids”, “only for business”, “only when I’m out with friends”.  When in this camp chances are you have also got a set way of where you share them on social media too.

c)    Bleurgh! You think about selfies and it’s like nails on a chalkboard, that weird honeycomb fear (Trypophobia) or squeaking cotton balls (Sidonglobophobia)
“There is no way on God’s Green Earth you will ever catch me in a blessed selfie.”
You put a special tone of disdain when even saying the word “Selfie”.
When we scrape the surface, or in some cases, get a combine harvester to break this hard crust of disdain, it turns out that really.
(i) you haven’t the foggiest how to go about doing the taking of a selfie.
Or
(ii) You're embarrassed and self-conscious about it.  This may stem from that time in 1987 when that stonewashed denim school photographer ruined your life and your ponytail came out looking like the handle they have to wind to get your brain working.
 

via GIPHY

 
Let’s Go Back To That Headshots Horizon Again
So now you have identified which of my selfie opinion camps you fall in, or which two you have a single foot in and are traversing between…
 

Why don't we come back to the original issue?
 
Now I’m willing to take a bet that if you are in camp C, you may be pushing me and my Fox Force 5 glam team way away on that horizon for reasons other than money or time.  For you, it’s all about will.  I’m a straight-talking sister, but I’m no meany.

80’s Trauma
I don't wear stonewashed denim and if you called me up today to talk about headshots there is a good chance that after chatting about your feelings, I would tell you that I don't think you are ready for a Full Sch-Whammy Headshots Session.  I am not going to force you into it.

via GIPHY

 
 
Firing on All Cylinders?
If you are in camp A and you are rocking the selfies use them in your business, and they are converting well for you and your established brand, then I don't think you need to read on.
Instead, I’d love for you to download my latest headshots brochure, read through it and contact me to discuss full-scale pro headshots.

 

 
For everyone else: The Traversers, Camp B and the “unsures” of Camp A (maybe your selfies don't convert). This next bit is for you…
 
Learning to Love Ya Selfie
Following my research, I’ve decided to set up a 5 Day Challenge.  I want to find out even more detail from you and your selfies.  I’d love it if you could come along and join me to take part.
In this 5-day challenge you get:
-      Some expert pointers on how to shoot better selfies
-      5 unique challenges to open your selfie perspective and composition techniques (and ideas).
-      Regular lives to check in with me real-time so we can address any pitfalls or questions along the way.
 
If this sounds like something you are intrigued to test out to challenge your views on selfies, then enter your details below to join the party.
 


 
As an immediate Thank you, you will get my ‘Top 10 Tricks To Kissable Selfies’ download delivered straight to your inbox.
 

 
This is a free and fun way to take your headshots horizon bull by the horns and drag him into your foreground.
 
Let’s slay this baby!