• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Photography Concentrate

Learn Photography Faster!

  • Blog
  • Learn
    • Camera Skills
    • Light Skills
    • Composition Skills
    • Photo Editing Skills – Lighroom
    • Creativity Field Guide
    • Shoot Awesome Video
    • Pro – Build Your Business
      • Photography Income Formula
      • Simple Wedding Photography
      • Awesome Album Design Skills
      • Really Easy Retouching
  • About
  • Free Resources
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Business / Show Yourself

Show Yourself

Updated on March 17, 2020 by Lauren Lim

I’m a big believer in personalizing business. We live in a world filled with faceless mammoth corporations that you really can’t compete with on price. What’s a small business owner to do??

Well, we need to focus on our strengths. And our strength is ourselves. 

So show yourself. Make sure you have a photo of yourself on your website. Let your clients see the person they will be dealing with!

This is our most often used profile photo. I love it because we’re both really smiling, and we’re interacting with each other, which I think shows what we’re really like together in person.

robandlauren.jpg

Taken by our wonderful friend, James Day

Why You Should Have A Photo Of Yourself

Recognition:

When you meet a new client, or a colleague, and they recognize you as soon as they see you, that’s a win. There’s a sense of familiarity instantly, and you’ve already jumped one hurdle in getting them comfortable with you. Comfort and trust are huge when it comes to portrait photography (and many, many other businesses!), so it’s wise to find all the ways you can to build that before you even meet! If they aren’t even sure you’re the photographer because they’ve never seen your face, well, that’s not an ideal situation.

Familiarity:

If you really try to put some of your personality into the image, they will get a sense that they “know” you. They don’t just know what you look like, but what you will be like in person. We get a lot emails from people who tell us that they believe our personalities will mesh with theirs, because they feel like they know a bit about who we are. We’ve never met these people, or talked with them, but they already like us. As a photographer that is immeasurably valuable. I want clients who I will connect with, because the experience and final product will be better. Simple.

Decreased likelihood of anger:

It’s far easier to get angry with a faceless entity than a human being. That’s one reason emails are very dangerous in dealing with emotional issues. But that’s a post for another day! If people know who you are, and what you look like, they’re far more likely to treat you like another human being with feelings than just a company. We all know companies don’t have feelings, but people do. So show them you are a person!

How to Choose Your Photo

Keep these things in mind to choose a photo that will make potential clients look forward to working with you.

Show your face:

Yeah, that sounds a bit obvious, but I’ve seen many photos where it’s actually difficult to make out the face of the photographer in question. Human beings automatically respond to a human face in a photo, and they’ll connect with it. They won’t connect quite so much with the back of your head, as much as you might love that dramatic “walking into the sunset” shot of yourself.

Smile:

Along the same lines, people respond the images of smiling faces on a subconscious level. They are more likely to elicit a positive attitude towards the person in question, the company in question, and are more likely to intend to patronize and recommend the company. (Source)

Be yourself:

A nice, solid portrait is always great, but if you have the chance, think of ways to infuse the image with your personality. Like I said, our strength is ourselves, and the more ways you can show what makes you unique, the more chance you have to stand out in a very saturated market.

Make sure it’s pro:

The difference between a professional photo and a point-and-shoot image of you at your cousin’s lake is huge. If you have a business then take it seriously, and make sure that photo of yourself is top notch quality. Take it yourself with a tripod and a remote, get a photographer friend to take one for you, or hire another photographer. Whatever you do, make sure it’s a great image of yourself. It is, in the end, your first impression on a potential client.

So, if you don’t have a photo of yourself on your website, go get one! And if you do have a photo of yourself, make sure to take a peek again, and reconsider what it might be saying to your clients. Make sure the message is what you want!

Filed Under: Business

About Lauren Lim

Hey friend, I’m Lauren! I’m a photography ninja here at Photography Concentrate. I’m downright obsessed with photography, and love sharing it with super cool folks like yourself. When I’m not shooting, or writing, you can find me cooking (and eating!), traveling, and hanging out with wonderful people.

Primary Sidebar

Hi there!


We're The Photography Concentrate Team: Daniel, Kaitlyn and Kristal. Think of us as your photo friends – we’re here to help you take great photos, and have a ton of fun together while we’re at it!

Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Browse the Archives

Footer

Navigation

  • Blog
  • Learn
  • About

Connect

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Newsletter

Important Stuff

  • Comment Policy
  • Material Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Earnings Disclaimer

Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Additionally, we participate in other affiliate programs and sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

Return to top of page
Copyright © 2020 Photography Concentrate

newsletterpopupheader

Get FREE photography training today!

Subscribe to our newsletter and learn how to take awesome photos, and get tons of free stuff to make it faster, and easier!
Join today and get instant access!

Join our +48,000 photographer pals, and get our very best content and freebies delivered straight to your inbox!
Register To This Secret Photography Training (FREE but seats are limited!)
How To Start & Grow
A Professional Photography Business
And Get Paid For Your Photos In The Next 30 Days
This method works even if you don’t have expensive gear and don’t want to chase clients!

We like to keep it a small group so we can engage together.
Our webinars are always filled to the last seat.
ONLY reserved seats will gain access to the room!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkView our Privacy Policy