For some of us, just the title of this post will have us running.
The last thing we want is photos of ourselves.
Yet we need good, professional photos.
Headshots for LinkedIn, a bio, or the internal org charts.
Images taken when you are speaking, working, and going about your day.
These images complement our work in the “scrapbook” of our career.
We use them on personal websites and portfolios.
Having a set of pictures to choose from can make the task of using them less daunting.
If you only consider three things, take the following into account.
3 Tips for Professional Photos
Clothing
Wear a solid color vs. a print. This keeps the photo clean and puts the focus on you, not your outfit. The color itself can be carefully selected to ensure it fits in the locations it will be placed.
Will you use it on your website? If so, what are the colors of the site?
Considering the placement of the photo before it’s taken can make a big difference.
Environment
Another consideration is where to take the photos. Having some on a white background will give a lot of flexibility. You should always have a headshot on a white background for use in a variety of situations.
That said, the rest of the shots can show your personality and working environment.
The most authentic images are those taken in the places where you spend your time working – in your office, at a coffee shop, in a meeting room, or any other location that is natural for you.
Shots
Try to go beyond the headshot. Do some searching online to find images you like.
What are the environments? How are they posed?
Consider working at a desk, having a cup of coffee, giving a presentation, or writing in a notebook. Not all the images need to have your face in them. You could consider your hands typing or a photo from behind of you looking out the window.
Your Turn
When you consider professional photos, do you think beyond the headshot?
What colors would represent your personal style?
Are there environments that are unique to where and how you work?