31 Reasons Why You Need a New Headshot
Through the entire month of March, I shared a post on LinkedIn every single day (phew!) explaining why you need a professional headshot. Sometimes the reasons were funny. Sometimes the reasons hit a nerve. But they were all (painfully) true.
And the hardest pill to take is that they were all “crimes” I’ve personally seen committed on LinkedIn by business owners, managers, directors, presidents - you name it. I didn’t make up this list purely from my imagination.
Before I share all the reasons why you need a new headshot, let me ease your stress - getting headshots taken is not something that has to be feared, painful or put off any longer. Just think of me as your friend, the photographer. We’re just getting together… for some fantastic new professional portraits. No big deal, right?
I promise it will not only be worth it, you will end up asking yourself why you waited so long.
31 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT
#1 If your profile picture looks like this, it's time to call me.
#2 If your LinkedIn profile picture is a selfie, it's time to call me.
#3 If your LinkedIn profile picture is cropped from a group photo, it's time to call me.
#4 If your LinkedIn profile photo is a vacation photo, it's time to call me... UNLESS… you're a travel agent, work in the travel industry or you're retired.
PS If you work in the travel industry and want some on-location photos at your next exotic destination, you should DEFINITELY call me. ;)
#5 HERE'S A QUIZ:
1. Look at your LinkedIn profile photo.
2.Look at your reflection in the mirror.
---> DO THEY MATCH???
If not, it's time to call me for a new headshot.
#6 HAIR CHECK:
1. Look at your LinkedIn profile photo.
2. Look in the mirror.
Is your hair longer, shorter, a different color, a different style or do you have more/less of it than in your photo? Then it's time to call me for a new headshot.
Photo of me playing with my hair... just because. 🤷🏽♀️
#7 FUTURE PLANNING:
Do you want to be a speaker at a conference or workshop? Are you going to be on a panel of speakers at your office?
Don't get caught without a professional photo. PLEASE don't be that one person who sticks out... for all the wrong reasons. It's time to call me for a new headshot.
#8 Does your LinkedIn profile picture NOT show your face? Unless you sell shoes for a living, eyes up here! It's time to call me for a new headshot.
#9 Pets in LinkedIn profile photos.... Are you a vet, a dog trainer, a cat groomer or in the pet industry? Do you work at the zoo? Will your pet actually answer the phone when I call?
As much as I adore your pooches, unless you can honestly answer YES to the questions above, share a picture of your pet! Just NOT as your profile picture. And it's probably time to call me for a new headshot.
#10 POP QUIZ!
What year was your LinkedIn profile photo taken?
If the answer is not 2023, 2022 or even 2021, it's time to call me for a new headshot.
#11 It's been 2 weeks since I mentioned this one... I'm repeating it for the people in the back.
If your LinkedIn profile photo is a selfie it's time to call me for a new headshot.
#12 Children (or grandchildren) in your LinkedIn profile picture... Are they officially part of your business? Will they answer when I call your company? (on purpose) Do you work in the business of children - daycare, children clothing, etc.
I love my kids. I love your kids. I love seeing pictures of your kids (I'd really like to TAKE pictures of them, hint hint) ...but NOT for your profile photo. It's probably time to call for a new headshot.
This is my youngest, David. He'll be graduating from high school soon and LEAVING ME 😭 .... to go to college. (and yes, he has a current headshot!)
#13 Celebrities in your LinkedIn profile photo. Just. No. Although... please DO share, because that's just lots of FUN! And then call me for a new #headshot.
Yes, that's me and Ed Sheeran. 🧡 Aren't we cute?
#14 Did you just workout? That's FANTASTIC! I'm so proud of you! But it doesn't need to be your LinkedIn profile photo. Even if you work in the athletic or fitness space, you can still get a professional photo BEFORE your WOTD. Call me for your new (non-sweaty) headshot.
#15 If this is your LinkedIn profile photo... please call me for a new headshot.
This was someone's ACTUAL LinkedIn profile photo. No joke.
#16 Are you looking for a new job? Whether you tell me in confidence or it's publicized on all your social media accounts, you MUST have a current and professional headshot displayed in your profile. Potential employers will see it.
I know, you're going to say that you have no money - you're LOOKING for someone to give you a paycheck! Well... the cost of NOT having a professional photo may be more than the price of the headshot. Why wouldn't you want to demonstrate to potential employers that you can present yourself if the best way possible - even when unemployed? They are then more likely to believe in your professionalism and hire you. Heck, they may even offer a better salary! Just for the price of a professional headshot? That's totally worth it!
#17 If your LinkedIn profile picture is from a wedding... then it's time to call me for a new headshot. (Especially if said wedding was 23.5 years ago!)
#18 Unless you're an actual clown, if your LinkedIn profile photo is too silly... then it's time to call me for a new headshot.
This was someone's ACTUAL LinkedIn profile photo.
#19 If this is your LinkedIn profile photo... please call me ASAP for a new #headshot. Unless you work on the Dark Web, I guess. (shrugs)
#20 HERE'S A TEST:
Are all the headshots of your staff completely different (and not in a good way)?
-different backgrounds
-different camera angles
-different perspectives
-different tones (black and white/color or… gasp… filters)
-from a cell phone
Then you ALL need to get new LinkedIn profile pictures. I can even come to your office and get them all done in one day. Call me for your company's new headshots.
#21 Is your LinkedIn profile picture from a cell phone? It may be cute, but it's still not a professional photo worthy of representing you and your business. It's time to call me for a new headshot.
#22 Is your #LinkedIn profile photo an action shot?
-behind the scenes
-speaking/presenting
-sitting at your desk
-in the audience
It's SO fun to see you hard at work, PLEASE share these pictures with your audience! But call me ASAP for a new headshot.
#23 Have you recently shaved off your beard? Or maybe you just grew a beard? If your profile photo doesn't match your current state, it's time to come see me for a new headshot.
I am proud (lol) to say I personally have no photos of myself with/without a beard to share for this post. I guess you'll have to just use your imagination?... 😂 😜
#24 Is there a drink in your hand in your LinkedIn profile photo? (Or even a whole bottle, lol!) Unless you own a brewery, winery, a coffee company or drink ware company, put the drink down and.... please call me for a new headshot.
#25 Congratulations! You've been promoted! I'm so excited to hear the fantastic news! Do your company (and yourself) a favor - when the press release is sent out, use a freshly updated professional headshot. You don't want to want to diminish your value right off the bat, do you?
Be prepared and call me for a new headshot for your next press release.
PS For the love of Pete, if you send the PR department a selfie, I will personally grant them permission to demote you on the spot.
#26 Your company logo should NOT be your profile photo. To be clear - if you have a business page IN ADDITION to your LinkedIn profile, sure, that one can be your logo. But your actual profile should be a headshot, not a logo. All a logo says is how good (or bad?) your graphic designer is.
Let's talk TODAY about new headshot and branding photos to go along with that excellent logo of yours.
#27 Look, I understand that not everyone loves having their photo taken. However, if your profile photo makes you look ANGRY, well, we need to turn that frown upside down. You don't have to smile like a happy clown if that's not your personality, but we don't want you to look MAD and UNFRIENDLY.
Let's get you scheduled for a new headshot. I promise to walk you through the process, help make your smile look as natural as possible... and not make you appear as though you want to strangle someone.
#28 If your profile photo was taken in or around your car and you don't sell, make or repair cars for a living, please call me. It's time for a new headshot.
#29 If you're wearing a tuxedo in your profile photo, please call me. It's time for a new headshot.
Fun fact: I photographed Liam's senior photos. Fast forward to last week, he was hired by Realty Executives and guess what? I'm their headshot photographer! It was so fun to see him again and create his new headshot portrait.
#30 Senior photos are not headshots....unless you're currently a student in high school. If your LinkedIn profile photo is from your high school senior portrait session and you're not a member of the Class of 2024, it's time to stop living in the past. Call me and let's get you a fresh, updated professional photo.
(I do also specialize in senior portraits, so if your son or daughter is in the class of 2025, let's talk soon!)
#31 And the final reason you need a new headshot - which is also the first reason ... if your current photo was taken with a cell phone and you don't want to appear as though you're cheap and careless with the rest of your business and life, PLEASE CALL ME.
If you have made it all the way through the list and found at least ONE thing that you’re guilty of, I think you know what to do. I will pass no judgment, I am here to help. I want you to make the best impression possible., Surely you’ve gotten a clear picture after all these examples of awful pictures of me (eek!). Click that cute little button below. Book your next headshot today.
Perhaps you need a quick fix? I’m bringing back Headshot Happy Hour! Learn more about the April 11 event here.
