OUR NEXT PROFILE PORTRAIT DAY FOR PROFESSIONALS IS

Tuesday 13th of March

 

Facebook, Twitter, Website and LinkedIn Portraits

About once a month we run special shoot days for business people who want a strong online profile and presence. Doing it this way means that we can fill a studio day, making it cost effective for people who are sole or small operators. I particularly love doing these sessions as I get to meet people from all kinds of businesses and entrepreneurial backgrounds.

We’ve photographed lawyers, consultants, graphic designers, authors, health practitioners and even a psychic! Even though our clients come from all kinds of industries, the one thing they all have in common is that they want to have a strong online presence, as their clients often find them this way. They want to stand out in an over saturated and busy online world.

They don’t want cheesy or stock-standard corporate head shots. They want relaxed, natural, personable and professional. They want photos that say “he/she looks friendly, professional and someone I want to work with, I’m going to pick up the phone and call them”.

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Why should you get professional head shots done?

• It’s very likely that you will have an online presence and you may interact with many potential clients this way. How you look online is how people will perceive your brand, personality and what you do. People use images to make snap judgements. A poor quality headshot might give the impression that your work isn’t of high quality.
• In a saturated market does your profile stand out? A professional portrait is clear and sharp. It stands out compared with mobile phone selfies!
• A professional photographer will talk to you about your target market and what you’d like to represent. The use of backgrounds, body language, clothing and colors can help you send the right message to your potential clients about the type of creative professional you are.

 

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What other people have had to say about a Lizzy C Photo Session.

Simon Dowling
Facilitator, trainer and speaker

Lizzy is a fabulous portrait photographer. I got her to do some shots that I could use for my website – and I couldn’t have been happier with what she produced. The shoot itself was a breeze. I’d never met Lizzy before, but she connected quickly with me, made me feel at ease, took the time to understand my brief… and then the shoot was over in a flash! I’d have no hesitation in using Lizzy again next time.

Caroline Cameron
Executive Coach , Facilitator, Author and Motivational Speaker

Lizzy is a highly creative photographer who did a super job creating great portrait shots that capture the look and essence of my business.
Her photographs are excellent and she has a rare talent for making the ‘shoot’ easy and painless!

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About Me.
I’ve been doing this photography thing for a long time now. It all started back in high school when I built a darkroom in my parents’ laundry. It was love from then on. I’m serious about photography. It’s what I do, all the time. It’s my career but, most importantly, it’s my passion. I’m a very sociable person and I love photographing people. I love the stories, the connection we can form and the trust people put in me to document who they really are.

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Profile photo rules you should know

If you’re confused about what looks professional and what doesn’t, we’ve put together six basic tips what makes a great LinkedIn profile photo.  They’re just recommendations, but if you follow these rules you’ll end up with a better profile photo than most of your connections.

1. You should be the only subject

Photos of you with a friend or colleague are confusing – if the viewer hasn’t met you before they won’t know which one is you. Also resist the temptation to include your pets in your professional photo – save those ones for Facebook.

2. Keep your head straight

A slight tilt can signal interest, but avoid any postures that look too unnatural. Sitting upright with your head looking at the camera is the safest bet.

3. Your face should be in focus

If you’ve decided to ask a friend to take some photos make sure they know what they’re doing. Nothing says unprofessional more than a photo that’s out of focus.
Avoid the risk altogether and get your photos taken by a professional photographer. If you need further convincing check out our post ‘why should I pay a professional to take my portrait?’

4. Use a recent photo of yourself

Remember that one day you might meet the people you connect with online, so it’s a good idea to post a current photo that looks like you do in real life.
As a rule of thumb, aim to update your photo every two years, or sooner if you shave your head or lost a lot of weight.

5. Wear appropriate attire

Think about the kind of people who will be looking at your professional photo. They will likely be colleagues, employers, business partners, and potential
employers and business partners. In your profile photo you should dress as if you were trying to impress these people an important meeting or job interview.

6. Use a pleasant facial expression

LinkedIn is a networking site, and, while it’s in a work context, there is still a social element to it. You should look relaxed and approachable, as if you would when you were meeting someone for the first time. This is where a professional photographer will come in handy, as they are experts at getting the best expression from their subjects.

What do you do? Tell us a bit about what you do.
I am a financial adviser and partner at Sofcorp Financial Services

Tell me about how you got into your field.

I have been in the financial services industry for 16 years. I went straight out of school and studied via correspondence. Made the move to Sofcorp in 2004 and have not looked back, starting as a junior adviser then became partner in 2006. I just love helping people making financial decisions and removing the worry /stress from their lives.

Why did you choose to have professional profile photos taken and what will you use your portraits for?

We needed to get some new shots for our website and social media profiles to build our online presence

Why did you choose to hire Lizzy C Photography?

We found Lizzy C online and like the natural look and feel of the shots on the website

Tell us about your experience working with her. Were you happy with the results of your shoot?

I am very happy with the results and the photo shoot was very easy and relaxed. I was putting it off as my last shots did not take into account glasses and the finished results were very disappointing.

Why should I pay a professional photographer to take my portrait?

We get it. Paying someone else to take your photo seems silly these days when cameras are so good. Surely you can just get a friend to take a few snaps for your LinkedIn profile or website?

The secret that no one seems to know is that photography is so much more than pressing a button, especially when it comes to portraits.

Here are few reasons why.

1. You can’t teach experience

Professional photographers know all the tricks when it comes to posture and getting the best expression out of their subjects. This comes from years of working with people to ensure they are relaxed and comfortable. After photographing thousands of people, professional photographers also know what pose will suit you best and how much smile will suit your face.
These instructions are delivered in a clear and friendly way to ensure you enjoy your portrait session, and walk away with a set of photos you are happy with.

2. Professional equipment gives a professional result

Amateur cameras are getting really good these days, but they’re still no match for high-end equipment.
We spend a lot of money on our equipment. Like, a lot of money.  This is because we care about our clients and want to produce the best images we
possibly can for them. A professional photographer with professional equipment will give you much better photos than someone who dabbles in photography using entry-level equipment.

3. Showing that you take your online presence seriously will show others you are invested in your career.

People can tell when a photo has been taken by a professional photographer.  Using photos taken by an expert for your LinkedIn profile page shows that you care about your professional image, and sends a message that you are committed to your career.  Potential employers and business partners will respond well to the investment you show in your image, creating a positive first impression.

How to achieve the Perfect LinkedIn Photo

A great LinkedIn photo is essential to creating a good first impression for the people you are connecting with.

Obviously, your photo choice is up to you, but there are a few rules we think should be followed to maintain a professional online presence.

1. Pick the right photographer

There are a lot of photographers in Melbourne, but there aren’t many who specialise in professional portraits. Pick a professional photographer as an experienced photographer will help you get the most out of your photography session and will know all the tricks to achieving a great LinkedIn profile photo.

2. Tell your photographer what you want

An experienced photographer is a great start, but if they don’t know what you want they can’t give it to you! Do some research before your photo session so you a really clear about what
photos you would like.

For some help, check out our ‘what kind of portraits do I need’  post

3. Use a head shot

LinkedIn photos appear quite small, and you want people to recognise you the instant they see the image.  The best photo for LinkedIn is one that clearly shows your face, which should fill about 80% of the frame.

4. Dress professionally

LinkedIn is a professional networking website, so it’s important you look as you would at work for an important meeting or job interview.
Potential employers will check your LinkedIn profile if you are applying for a job, so in many ways your profile is part of your application. Dress appropriately.

5. Keep it simple

Generally, people looking at your LinkedIn profile just want to see what you look
like. Your profile isn’t a place to be funny or try anything outrageous (unless you are a comedian).

Stay away from filters, selfies, holiday photos, and keep your pet out of the photo
(no matter how cute they are).

6. Be consistent

Your LinkedIn profile represents your personal brand, and branding is all about
consistency.  Look at the language you’ve used when filling out your profile and consider the impression it’s making on the reader.

Are you serious? Relaxed? Enthusiastic?

Think about what your professional personality is like and create images that match this.

What do you do? Tell us a bit about what you do.

I shout about brilliant business ideas and their founders’ success, building profiles in the media and positioning people as thought leaders in their field. As a publicist I’ve worked in PR for more than 8 years, on everything from cars to chocolate – eventually finding my niche in business and entrepreneurship, across a variety of industries to keep things interesting. I started my own business a few months ago and have been lucky to work with digital marketing experts, artists, book launches, property experts and even a wine retailer.

Tell me about how you got into your field.

After completing a double major in Psychology and Public Relations at Monash University and a few internships, I landed a role working at Honda Australia where I helped launch some exciting hybrid cars and learnt from some very talented people. From there I picked up the pace and moved to agency life. I even moved to Sydney for a few years before returning home to Melbourne, the land of great coffee.

Why did you choose to have professional profile photos taken and what will you use your portraits for?

While I live for the rush of seeing my clients faces in the news, I admit I’ve been slow to warm to the idea of putting my own face and name out there. I’m currently building a website for my new business and wanted some photos with personality.

Why did you choose to hire Lizzy C Photography?

I looked at a few photographers, but fell in love with Lizzy’s portraits of people who looked kind, friendly and whom I’d want to do business with. They were corporate without feeling too staged and all looked like lovely people.

Tell us about your experience working with her. Were you happy with the results of your shoot?

Lizzy C Photography was definitely the right choice! I had lost a bit of sleep in anticipation of the shoot and turned up a bit flustered after my GPS wanted to take me on a 5 hour detour, but Lizzy made me feel instantly relaxed. It was easy and the photos turned out great. I’d highly recommend her to anyone looking to get professional portraits taken.

Things to consider when planning your portrait session.

Portrait Style

If you’re revamping your professional look, portraits can be a confusing area. Should you look serious or happy? Shoot indoors or outdoors? A headshot or waist up?

To help you make some of these decisions, we’ve put together a few portrait style ideas to consider when you’re planning your photo session.

 

What profession are you in?

Look at other successful people in your field, what kind of photo do they have on their LinkedIn profile?

Professionals like lawyers and accountants tend to favour polished studio headshots, because that matches their job environment.

However, if you’re an artist or a life coach you might opt for something more relaxed outside.

Do some research and see what fits best with your field.

Where is the portrait going?

Think about all the places where you need to have a professional photo of yourself, like LinkedIn, Facebook, your website, or conference programs.

Each scenario might require a different looking portrait.

For example, LinkedIn portraits are usually a square headshot, but if your photo is a website banner you’ll need something wider.

Before you have your portrait session write a list of all the different portraits you need and talk to your photographer about how you can achieve each one.

Indoor or Outdoor?

Indoor and outdoor portraits can say completely different things about you, so before your shoot consider whether indoor or outdoors would suit the photos on your portrait wish list.

You may need a mix of both.

You can read more about this topic in our indoor studio portraits post and outdoor portraits post.

Outdoor Portraits Photographed in Melbourne

While indoor portraits can offer a higher level of control and polish, outdoor portraits are great for people wanting a more relaxed professional image.Within a few steps of the Lizzy C studio we have a park, tree lined streets, Victorian brick walls, and a beautiful view of the Melbourne skyline.

Not mention the fact that a cloudy Melbourne day creates the best light for natural candid portraits. All of these elements combine to create images with depth, texture, and colours that are hard to achieve indoors or in the studio.

These locations can also help your profile stand out.

If a potential employer is checking through a lot of applicant LinkedIn profiles, a beautiful textured background could be the thing that sparks their interest and encourages them to read more of your profile.

The kind of outdoor photo you require is worth thinking about before your photo session.

A photo in a park looks relaxed and natural, whereas a photo in front of a textured wall will appear edgy and urban.

The decision between the two is completely up to you as you’re the one in charge of your personal brand.

Have a look at the examples we’ve included in this post and consider what suits you best.

Visit our studio portraits info page for inspiration and image examples of studio portraits.

Staying inside, doesn’t mean a lack of options for studio portraits.

Indoor studio portraits offer a higher level of control in the shooting environment – there are no dogs to creep into the background, or gusts of wind wreaking havoc with your hair.

This control often results in a more polished look, which is exactly what you want in a professional portrait.

But staying indoors doesn’t mean a lack of options.

If you’ve chosen an experienced  studio portrait photographer they will have a bunch of ideas up their sleeve to give you good variety during your studio portrait session.

Different backgrounds

Changing the background you’re standing in front of is a great first step to changing the look and feel of your portrait.

At the Lizzy C studio we have access to background with different colours and textures, from a very Melbourne charcoal to a white brick wall.

Different props and furniture

Perhaps you’re an artist and would like some of your tools or work in the image. Or you’re a writer and think a computer or pen and paper might be useful in a few shots. Maybe you’d like to be standing, perched on a chair, or sitting at a table.

There are many variations you can choose to create the perfect image that will represent your brand.

Different outfits

Another trick is to bring in a variety of tops, jackets, ties, and hats to help change up your look.

Just adding a colourful scarf to an outfit can introduce an element of fun and relax the entire photo.

So before you have your photo session have a look through your wardrobe and see which pieces of clothing will achieve the looks you are after.