Intolerable punishment
The cruelty of seeing one’s own face
Headshots, Zoom, unexpected reflections, and other zoos of postmodern existence.
We need them. Those images and recordings of experiences and expertise. Whether we seek to add some personal touch to a resume (perhaps that our career coach asked us to?!), fill out the branding of our website, up a social media game, invest in an amped LinkedIn, or even take that mid 00’s circle image off our Gmail account. Regardless, it is necessary. Any way you slice it, you need headshots and selfies if and as you desire to engage in a certain level of professional exposure.
Of course, as there is a grain so there are those who may and can (and should!) go against it. However, most of us will accept that, yup, we need to either hire or learn to take pictures of ourselves that make some sort of acceptable ‘impression’ upon a variety of parties who might view them. Among the mix are recruiters, bosses, friends, clients/customers (current, former, possible, and pending), partners, lovers (again: current, former, possible, and pending), and our kids (the WORST of all critics!). This brings forth a HEAVY dose of ‘why bother’, no? For me it certainly does, I mean Hell if I could just write and talk then not only would that expedite things but too, I would be extremely safe. Happy to do what I am assured I do very well with little need to trip upon the challenges I am so joyful to be able to avoid.
Not all cop outs are worth forgoing - in that no coach or facilitator - add to that seller & educator - does NOT do well to reserve their image. Why? Because we seek and secure our community via trust and transparency. That applies to pricing, services, terms, and face time. If we seek to serve and see our people we are to be seen, and that, dearest reader, is hard and raw and real. Why (I say again)? Because I, too, hate my face. I have bad teeth and greasy hair, and hate to show that as much as I am thinking (practicing empathy here!) my people loathe having their personal prejudices looked upon. Yet, if I leave the house of my shame and say what - indeed - may feel as, at first, an unbelievable or feelable, so what then we may two be a bit even, yeah? Open and on the same page, for as what is most winning and loyalty-building is an even coming-to-the-table energy that is both sound business and personal growth that we can (yes!) get paid to engage in!
So ... how might we best create and utilize our photos? Oh, thank you for asking! I am most honored to be invited to the table of how to best be of service and aide in the nitty gritty admin whatnot of what we are to seek in the three most essential images a professional - at any level - needs to be able to come to the table in a professional discourse:
Headshot
Action shot
Wildcard
PLEASE have more pics than the above, but do know those are the most paramount ones we are to have, to gather above all and use again and again to garner both the trust and engagement of current and future clients/customers.
The Headshot:
Aims:
Fun
Open
Acceptably ‘attractive’
Earnest
Curious
How:
You need not ‘smile’ but do use your face or posture to portray something similar to a jovial manner - I cannot tell you what this is, no. You need to, rather, choose as a reference example of images - via your own or those you find of other personal or professional connections that appear positive without doing a full dental show-off shot.
Be clean. I don’t care if you are ‘trendy’ nor ‘slim’ or any of that BS, what is needed above all is a scrubbed and hygiene-conscious appearance. Thus, only wear the amount of makeup that highlights vs hides your face and body. Perfection is not the objective, clarity is.
Don’t EVER face away from the camera. An angle is cool but a backshot will get you an F!
If you don’t know what trustworthy looks like - well, you aren’t and I can’t help you…
Look at the camera and think “tell me more” or “what if”
The Action Shot:
Aims:
Getting a feel
This is fun (I am fun)
This is professional (as am I!)
What we do is accessible – but there are boundaries (a/k/a, fun and inclusive is a do with rules)
Defining of culture
How:
Show you “doing” your work – a/k/a talking to a person if you are a public speaker; at your desk if you are writer; walking a dog if pooches are your jam!
Think about stress – a visional example – a/k/a the “Scream” – and create/pick the opposite
Again, clean – lines, hair, top all are easy ‘professional’ signals
Open body language – aka facing out, full face shot, top arms, smiling face (with or without teeth) – anything that says “you are welcome”
Are you a therapist? Show your office. Herbalist? Be in the garden. Dancer? The studio or on stage, and so forth…
The Wild Card:
Aims:
I am a human, too!
I have things and am a person within and apart from my work
I am imperfect and that is fantastic
The impression of candor – a/k/a honesty goes down, kindly, and consistently
Falling in love is the secret to our successful work
Oh yeah, and I am (again) super fun
How:
Show your pets or plants
Look goofy, and polished
Spines of book
A domestic shot – or a workspace that looks comfy
Soft lighting
An outdoor shot
Smiling with downcast eyes
It is hard to find play when you are in the existential exercise of presenting yourself in ‘hard’ (a/k/a a website or CV) or “soft” (a/k/a social media) professional manner. That is OK. Don’t worry about feeling it – show it and create a home for levity during your shoot. Also, don’t either do your makeup or dress yourself alone. Pick a pal who doesn’t think you are perfect or have a particularly strong eye, but look to a person to join you that day, or even Zoom along, who makes you feel seen and super. A friend you do not sleep with, but do have a history of spending days doing nothing or something and having a great amount of fun either way. A road trip buddy, your sweaty moving day advocate, the one who checks on you both when you are down and also when you are up. An external reminder of your value is a great way to steer back the ego from dark to light. You see, pride is a great way to get you both shoot-pumped, but also can get in the way of your being and doing you best, NOT for vanity, but for a theme, a sense, and image creation of availability.
Please, do know this is a LOT and doable but also it can be daunting. That is real and that is also something you are so wise to admit. I am happy to talk out the nuances and offer know-how geared to your hopes, and wants, AND bottom-line. Get on the line, shutterbug – I can’t wait to meet you!
