A Business Portrait or a Headshot, Which is the Right Choice for You? | Durham | Raleigh | Chapel Hill

A Business Portrait or a Headshot ? Which is the Right Choice for You ?

You might be an actor, a plumber, an artist, a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a salesperson, musician or physician and you need of a new picture for your professional use.

Do you need a business portrait or a headshot?

To answer that I'd like to tell you one of the most important pieces of advice I've ever received and it's the foundation of why virtually every successful business is successful. No matter if you are an actor or doctor or baker you are an artist. What you do for a living is your art/skill/craft/vocation - call it what you will - this is your passion - it's your art. If you focus only on your art you may love doing it, but you are on a course to fail. If on the only hand you say "I own a business ... and it just happens to be a deli, or a doctor's office or creating art" you realize that you must balance the books, do marketing to get clients, dream up new ideas so that you will continue to be able to do what you love to do.

Anyway, that's where I start my thinking when someone comes in for a headshot - how is your business structured and what type of picture will best help you achieve your business goals.

The Business portrait and the headshot - The Difference

First lets look at both, how they are the same and how they differ.

Both types of images need to get the feeling that you want to get from whomever seeing the picture. Are you welcoming, commanding, solid, sincere, in charge, affluent, competent, stunning, handsome, friendly, "the buck stops here",?

The Business Portrait - formal dress, professional pose, elegant props, lit with some drama and has rich colors. This is the type of image you might see in the lobby of a hotel or on the board of directors page of a company's website.

The Headshot - To be candid, it'a a product shot and you're the product. You'll typically smile or (in the case of an actor) be in character, but the look is fairly generic and welcoming. But I suggest the headshot even for the executive so they will something less formal, maybe for a company seminar they are hosting or blog post.

And then there is the headshot which is purely for commercial use; such as a print ad, website or brochure. These are very fun and bright.

Both the business portrait and the headshot can be critical parts of every company's business marketing plan. Just a nice picture of the person without finding out what the person wants the image to convey is not enough. Today many potential clients are surfing the net and choosing their vendors on the strength of an image.

So think about how the images will be used to help you reach your business goals and you will know what types of pictures you need.

NC Headshot Studio is a premiere headshot, business portrait, and commercial photography studio located in Durham, North Carolina.  We serve Durham, Raleigh, and the Chapel Hill areas.   You can see more of his work at http://www.NCHeadShot.com

What's the Difference between a Headshot and a Business Portrait | Durham | Raleigh | Chapel Hill

NC Headshot Studio's Headshot & Business Portrait Difference

Once upon a time, a headshot was a traditional portrait

....used for marketing yourself as an actor or business person. And then the digital revolution hit. And, headshots devolved into a candid snap shot, taken with very little thought to light, background, expression etc.

It got thrown up on facebook, linkedin, myspace, twitter etc, without a thought of who might be looking at it or what it says about you. And, it became a sloppy, amateur marketing tool that was right up there, in terms of usefulness, as a driver's license photo.

Along came the Business Portrait.

A direct reaction to the vacation snap shots that are permeating the online profiles, business portraits are in demand by CEOs, Actors, and other people who are concerned about how their image is perceived by their target audience.

The biggest difference between the “modern headshot” and a "business portrait" is philosophical. Every part of the business portrait, from the light, composition, clothing, makeup, jewelry, background, expression, etc, is a conscious decision, on the part of the photographer and the subject, to create an image designed to stand out. The image that is created, is designed that way specifically because it will help your audience accept you as their choice.

Business portraits are about marketing, branding and the business of your industry.  Corporate Headshots are about the person and the brand of the individual.

They are a visual representation of your competence and reputation.

So, if you call us and ask about “headshots” for you or your company, don’t be surprised if we prob you for more understand to gain a better insight into your actual needs of the photography session. 

NC Headshot Studio is a premiere headshot, business portrait, and commercial photography studio located in Durham, North Carolina.  We serve Durham, Raleigh, and the Chapel Hill areas.   You can see more of his work at http://www.NCHeadShot.com

Business Portraits & Corporate Headshots | Durham | Raleigh | Chapel Hill

NC Headshot Studio's Business Portraits

In business, an image can be the difference between making the sale and missing the opportunity. High-quality, professional business portraits and professional headshots capture the attention of your clients by adding instant personality to marketing materials, public relations efforts, social media and more.

About NC Headshot Studio's Business Portraits & Corporate Headshots

NC Headshot Studio provides you and your business with professional quality, business photos that bring your image and brand into focus. With next day, high res digital delivery and Raleigh and Durham Locations to serve you, NC Headshot Studio is the perfect solution for your business photography needs. 

• Individual Headshots: Our photographers are ready to serve you today! Simply click here to schedule your session.  
• Corporate Headshots: Do you have a company or team in need of a consistent photographic look and feel? Email bookings@NCHeadShot.com to learn more about our corporate program.

Using Business Portraits & Corporate Headshots

Business photography can help establish trust with your customers while achieving greater brand awareness.  Examples of effectively using business photography include:

• Marketing, Advertising and Publicity
  Enhance your outreach efforts by adding a personal touch to marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns with high-quality business photos that reflect the unique image and personality of your company.
• Corporate Websites, Intranets, Business Cards & More
  Your website is an ideal place to add a personable touch, as it’s where initial contact with potential clients often occurs.  
• Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
  Adding professional business photos to annual reports, investor dossiers, executive presentations, newsletters and more reinforces your company's image and helps create tighter relationships among clients, investors and other stakeholders.
• Social Networking
  Utilizing resources such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networking sites, offer different ways to stay in contact with your customers.  Personalize the experience with high-quality business photos, which reinforce your image and help customers identify with your brand.
• Email Confirmation
  For service-related companies, making your customers feel confident, comfortable and self-assured is paramount, especially when entrance to a customer's home is required.  Build trust by including a professional business photo in your emails, letting customers see exactly who will be making their service call.
• Employee Recognition
  Make lasting impressions by recognizing employees with awards, personalized with their professional business photo!

Schedule your session today! If you are interested in retainers or pre-paid business certificates for your company or team, email bookings@NCHeadShot.com.

NC Headshot Studio is a premiere headshot, business portrait, and commercial photography studio located in Durham, North Carolina.  We serve Durham, Raleigh, and the Chapel Hill areas.   You can see more of his work at http://www.NCHeadShot.com

Don't Underestimate the power of your headshot!

With the rise in social platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, visuals are driving consumer engagement in both the business and corporate world.  

A business portrait or a professional headshot by a great headshot photographer is key!

There is no denying the fact that a good headshot will evoke greater trust, authenticity and greater interest in you and your business.

Customers and stakeholders love to know who they are dealing with, so with a good headshot will ensure that your first impression makes a positive impact! Professional headshots are not just for actors, celebrities or corporate heads or an expensive vanity project. In a world where anyone serious about their career or business has a personal brand (whether you like it or not); it’s important to control and manage how people see you.

Your headshot will help to take your online presence to greater heights if done correctly.  Visit www.NCHeadShot.com

It is your corporate handshake in a virtual world, so ensure that your photograph makes the right impression and sets the right tone by investing in your brand. Thankfully, gone are the days when you had to look as if you had a rod up your back. If done correctly your headshot will let your personality shine through and sends out the right message about you.

Failure to invest in your headshot is like turning up to a networking event without a business card. People want to know the face behind the name. Your headshot should encourage people to engage with you. People connect with those they know, like and trust so ensure that you look like someone that they want to engage, work and do business with. As a small business owner or corporate professional on the rise don’t underestimate how your headshot is a critical component for your personal branding strategy.

Thankfully, the formal, pen holding, over staged poses don’t work for today’s socially conscious, savvy and connected customer. They want a headshot that matches your brand, so keep your image consistent, personable but more importantly professional. So make sure your headshot enhances rather than devalues your personal brand.

See more at:  http://www.NCHeadshot.com

NC Headshot Studio is a Durham Headshot, Business Portrait, and Commercial Photography Studio servicing the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill areas.  We are your professional headshot studio!

The Power of a Professional Headshot

Value the power of a good headshot. 

“I can’t stress the importance of this investment, but please don’t cut corners when it comes to this. The photo has to be unique to you. So that means you have to know what you are selling. A great picture isn’t about what you are wearing or the backdrop the photographer uses; it’s all about what you are communicating through your eyes and the essence we get when taking a glance at your photo.” ~ Antonio Martez