S H A R P E N I N G Y O U R C O M P E T I T I V E E D G E F O R O U R S O C I A L M E D I A W O R L D

Considerations when choosing your profile photo photographer:

1. How do you want to come across in your photo? Think about what you’re looking to achieve in how you come across in your profile photo. A good photographer/visiologist will help you with this. For example, (not an exhaustive list!) do you want to come across as:

• Professional, friendly and approachable – when your role is people and customer-focused

• Professional authoritative, more serious, determined • Professional, entrepreneurial, innovative – if you’re in a creative/dynamic

business and organisation.

NB if you have a multi-faceted role e.g. speaker, leader with hands-on and hands-off aspects to your role, having a selection of different photos of you in different scenarios is useful to draw upon and show your range of skills and abilities.

Our brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, so those profile photo first impressions tell your story, wittingly or otherwise, faster than any

accompanying well-crafted copy.

2. Find a style that resonates for you

• Look at few photographers’ websites, twitter and other social media feeds and you’ll get a feel for whether their style works for you.

• Check out their recommendations and testimonials • Check out their specialisms, what do they bring that adds value to the

finished result? • Create a shortlist of 2 or 3 photographers/visiologists.

3. Speak to your shortlist selection

A photoshoot is actually a collaboration between the photographer and subject. A good rapport means you’ll be more comfortable in the shoot and that’ll show in the results.

• An email can’t do much to establish whether you’ll have a good rapport with your photographer. Speak by phone or even better by Skype/Facetime/or similar.

Speaking to your prospective photographer will give you a good indication as to whether you'll feel at ease, easily - especially important if you typically don’t feel comfortable in front of a camera.

S H A R P E N I N G Y O U R C O M P E T I T I V E E D G E F O R O U R S O C I A L M E D I A W O R L D

• Outline what you’relooking for • Ask about their approach • Do they have a consultation before the shoot?

- How long is the consultation?

Like any business scenario, the more you understand someone’s requirements, the better the result. To discuss how best to visually convey your personal brand 30 minutes is a minimum, 45 - 60 the optimum.

For personal branding, a face to face pre-shoot briefing is imperative. I recommend this happens a few days before the shoot to add in other ideas

4. Check the price and output

• What format will I receive? - Softcopy jpgs are standard - Screen and/or print resolution downloads - Are they easily downloadable from their website?

• How many images are included as a minimum in the price? • Do they offer black and white shots?

- At what additional cost? • Are prints included in the price or payable separately?

- Are prints easily orderable via their website? • Of course, ask for a quote. • When will I be able to download my images?

Every professional photographer will spend time editing and processing.

Post-production editing times will vary depending on how busy the photographer is, so allow a minimum of a few days to a week or so.

Personally, my aim is to create depth and texture to an image, generating the sense of meeting you in person, which in our social media world, we effectively are!

Good luck, and well done on having thought ahead to get some great photos. You’ll be able to avoid that usual scrabble for a good photo when the

PR department/press team call!

If you have any further questions, I’d be delighted to assist you.

Denise Quinlan, Insightful Images denise@insightfulimages.co 07774 613224

www.insightfulimages.co