New Year, New You, New Headshots

Happy New Year everyone! How many times so far have you been bombarded with January meal plan advertisements and fitness recruiters trying to get you to join the gym (which by the way, you should!) Well, I have one more thing to add to your new year's resolutions – new business headshots!

North Haven, Connecticut

I was initially fearing the dead of January (as a photographer, this time of year can be a little slow) but instead, I've been pleasantly surprised with the large turnout of business photoshoots I've been receiving. And it makes sense; not only is it a new year, but it's an entirely new decade. Just looking at the date "2020"– doesn't that feel a bit futuristic and surreal?
And in this new era, where the vast majority of all businesses require an online presence to gain traffic, visual first impressions are more important than ever. Once upon a time, you used a giant telephone book to schedule an appointment and walked into a law firm without having any idea who you were meeting. Now, you search for law firms online. Who has the best and most reviews? Whose website is the easiest to navigate? And, who has the most welcoming headshots?

Middlefield, CT

New Haven, CT

During simpler times, it was a little bit easier to gain clients strictly through word of mouth; your cousin knew a guy who lived a couple towns away and did a decent job fixing his porch steps. And while this is still a small way to gain leads here and there, your online presence can dictate even further how widespread your audience will reach. When someone clicks on your website, they're looking for great ratings, visually pleasing design, and a personal touch from the owner and staff. This means a few words about yourself, and a friendly, professional headshot.

Durham, CT

Durham, CT

Also, headshots go far beyond websites and business cards! Have you ever applied for a scholarship? Do you have a profile on LinkedIn? Have you ever needed to send out applications while on the job hunt? If you've done any of these things in recent years, you'll know that more often than not, many applications and resumes these days require a photo. And this is a little bit of a test of your professionalism – they're looking to see if you attach a selfie from your Instagram, or if you use a professional headshot. 
Because the reality is, they want to see how competent and detail-oriented you are. If your photo is a selfie or candid from social media and/or you're dressed casually, you may risk it hindering your application, rather than helping. But even more so, a professional image does more than simply help you look qualified – it will also make you stand out! Subconsciously, we humans love looking at beautiful things, so the more eye-catching and visually appealing your photo is, the more likely it is that it may grab the attention of your future employer. So when they receive several resumes, but only one of them has a professional headshot, whose do you think is sticking out among the rest? The one who is already showing they made an effort!

Hamden, CT

And possibly most importantly, your photo tells a little bit of a story about you, and who you are in this world. If you're sending out applications, you may want to show off a bit of your style and personality. Maybe you sell life insurance, but you want to wear a quirky tie and show your clients your goofy side. If you sell jewelry on Etsy, it would look great to model a couple of your own pieces. Whatever it is, you get to put a piece of yourself into these photos and in the business world, a headshot is worth a thousand words. Whether you're a physician, a teacher, a pastor, a chef, or a carpenter – it's 2020, and it's never been a better time to update your professional image!

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Morgan Ofsharick specializes in business headshots, proposal, engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, and family portrait photography, servicing New Haven, Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex, Litchfield, and plenty of other regions around Connecticut!  –MEO Photography