The Importance of a Business Selfie!
- Aug 12, 2016
- 3 min read
The selfie has been regarded in recent times as the most photographed subject in our everyday lives. Generally will too often say “I hate having my photo taken” but we seem to have a turned a corner and now it’s a much loved past time. Enter the selfie stick! According to a recent report and staggering 1.2 billion selfies were taken in 2015 in the UK alone.
A slightly disturbing fact.
Many of these images are now appearing on our social media platforms. Is it time to ask if this right place for them? And more importantly what message are we sending in the professional business world if you are using them inappropriately. Here are a few examples where the selfie might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The person who climbed a skyscraper and grabbed selfie of the city scape below.
The selfie on the trip down the rapids in the Grand Canyon
The selfie in the pub on a Friday night
Why are these being used on our professional profiles?
Don’t get me wrong…as a photographer I am a huge fan of all styles and genres of photography. Taking photographs the best way to share our experience’s in life with friends and family. The key is however to consider the most appropriate use of those selfies, just don’t use them as profile photos. The business profile photo of you thrashing down the rapids may send the message that you’re a bit of adventurer with a tendency to act more spontaneously than desired or you may be sending a message by climbing skyscraper and grabbing the city scape shot suggests you’re a bit of a risk taker with little regard for safety, as for the Friday night out in the pub selfie, well it has its own very obvious message too. Unless you are specifically working, or promoting that type of business profile don’t use them.
Do not underestimate the importance of your selfie used in business situations.
Companies turn to social media to build a preconceived profile of the person or company they may be looking to hire or do business with. You can argue at this point that these adhock profile searches will find all these images anyway and that’s probably true, but having a professional headshot on your business profile apart from looking professional helps “balance” any judgement that might be made. Recent research suggests having a professional headshot is supportive to your business profile. Investing in a professional headshot photo shows that you might well like to take risks or enjoy a good night out in your social life but you also know how important your business profile is. It shows integrity and honesty.
A great headshot does influence how you are perceived.
The style, lighting and clothing in a professional headshot really enhances your image and it does it on many different levels. Your personality and brand can be recognised from a well taken and presented photo. Working closely with a professional headshot photographer, building a relationship to create the right headshot is key. Spending some time discussing and reviewing images to match your style and brand is a key part of the photography process.
Take a look at your own professional profile photo, ask your colleagues, friends and family to comment. You might be surprised.
Contact me for more advice or take a look here for more information on just how important you image is particularly on LinkedIn.
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