Head shots are also known as professional photographs of legal nurse consultants. What are they and why do I need them? Why do they cost so much?
These are the typical questions I receive and the commentary in conversations I overhear. Seems everyone either needs, wants (or doesn’t want) a head shot. Perhaps they are being mandated by their business development goals to acquire one. Maybe they are updating their websites. The thing is, people are asking WHY do they need one.
Image Sells
The answer is clear: Image sells. We are emotionally bound to images. An image can induce feelings deep within us – joy, sadness, confidence, fear, disgust. You get the idea? In the realm of business, it is no different. Marketers have figured this out and are playing on our emotions to promote their products and make their companies successful. If you’re in business, you need to know this!
We have become such an image-driven society. We have loads of social media outlets that thrive on images – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are some of the most popular. The world of technology is overrun with all the latest capabilities of mobile phone cameras, DSLR cameras; even point and shoot cameras have become super smart and capable of producing some amazing IMAGES. Hence, we take a lot of SELFIES.
, “First impressions have always mattered, and in the past it was all about the handshake. Now that we’ve entered the era of LinkedIn, virtual business, and online personal branding, a well-done headshot can be equally important as a firm grip”.
In today’s legal nurse consulting business world, it’s no different. Madison Avenue bombards us with our favorite brands through their print advertising, catchy graphics and clever one liners.
Professional Photographs of Legal Nurse Consultants are Essential for Marketing
Attorneys want to look into the eyes of the folks they entrust their cases to. They want to see who they are conducting business with, because if they can see a confident person, they will be more secure about having that business transaction. Of course, we know that while a picture may tell a thousand stories, some of those stories may be nothing more than tall tales!
Understand that not everything you see is the truth. Photoshop aside, the art of a good head shot is just that; an art. It is part skill, part therapy. In order to capture someone in a great confident manner, the photographer must make that person believe that she is great and confident. That takes a bit of time and a lot of coaching. Great lighting helps, as do good wardrobe choices, good hair and well applied make-up. However, the magic ingredient is the connection that you make with your photographer. That trust must be there in order for you to put that guard down and let us see you.
A Legal Nurse Consultant’s Head Shot
What is a head shot? It’s a portrait, typically taken from the shoulder line up toward the head. It may sometimes include the torso – depending on what the client needs the shot for. The way the shot is taken is very dependent on what you want the image for. Let’s say you need a head shot to promote your legal nurse consulting practice, (I do a lot of professional photographs of Legal Nurse Consultants.) You would want your head shot to convey confidence, intelligence and a trust worthiness, right?
Image creates a feeling; imparts a message. Attorneys ask themselves, “Don’t I want to trust the person I do business with? Don’t I want someone smart, capable and confident? I do!”
Update your head shot every 2 years. Costs for professional photographs of legal nurse consultants vary, depending on which part of the country you live in and the experience level of the photographer. They range anywhere from $300-$1200 (depending on how many shots you want and what they are for).
Next time you want to post a profile photograph for your business (or even your Facebook profile), think about the message that image conveys. Having a professional head shot will show that you care enough and take yourself seriously enough to put your best foot forward. Professional photographs of legal nurse consultants call for serious clothing; make sure your wardrobe is appropriate to the look you want to achieve. I always advocate professional hair and make-up personnel assist you prior to professional shots. However, if you are great at styling yourself, have at it.
Cheryl Schoen received her RN almost 30 years ago. She has had a varied career in adult critical care, that has included stints in neurology, surgical trauma icu, burn icu and emergency medicine just to name a few. She has also worked as a Legal Nurse Consultant (on and off) since 2004. At the suggestion of friends and family, her lifelong love of photography was channeled into a portraiture business in August 2012. Her specialties are contemporary women’s portraiture, boudoir and head shots.
Cheryl shares her exertise about head shots in a new webinar: “Polishing Your Professional LNC Image: Top Tips for Success”. Get the details here.