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commercial photography
Professional headshots are important to me because I believe it is crucial to have a good looking representation of yourself. Whether that is in a suit and tie or everyday clothes. I think it is smart to have a professional's point of view and skills to help you best stand out.
Why are professional headshots important to you? “They are the face you put out to the world, so you want them to be an honest reflection of how you look and how you present yourself to prospective clients and opposing counsel.”
Everything on the internet - but especially headshots - represents your brand. Reputation is tremendously important and that really starts with the first image that people see of you. If “there is no second chance for a first impression,” it’s all the more important that your headshots portray a positive and professional image.
“I am passionate about this profession because I enjoy being a listener and source of support for those sharing stories of trauma, life challenges, resiliency, hope. Making a human connection with others while providing a space for individuals to be vulnerable in an otherwise world that can feel chaotic and unsafe at times motivates me to show up for them consistently.”
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I value being good at what I do. Trusting someone else to take on a big role in my business was a little scary at first. But I have a desire to grow this business and to serve a larger clientele base. Making the choice to bring in an associate who cares just as deeply about being good at what she does, working hard, and creating lasting memories for clients is the logical next step for this business.
“I love what I do because I'm able to help people when they are in need. Someone who's too sick or injured to work has their entire life upended. Giving some type of security to that person is an incredible feeling.”
“Rebecca gave me an opportunity to see myself in a way that I never had before. I had an image in my mind of what I expected to see in the photos, but instead I saw a happy, successful entrepreneur who was living a really great life. Rebecca you captured my space beautifully and I'm so excited for the next photoshoot!”
Some feel hesitant to take new headshots because they might think they see some new wrinkles, a few additional pounds, slightly thinner hair… I want to remind you that what prospective clients actually see in your photo is your friendly smile and your confident posture. They see someone they may feel comfortable working with, comfortable trusting.
Having your employee’s faces on your business website can help your office to stand apart. As I peruse many websites for local businesses and services, I am disappointed at how many do not include the faces of their staff, owners or management. Putting real faces with your brand’s name helps to convey a sense of trustworthiness and responsibility to potential clients.
“Rebecca was filled with motivational words, which is what several people need during this pandemic. The world felt uncertain to me, and she reminded me that I certainly deserved an opportunity where I could leverage all of the experience I have gained.”
Being a small business owner in Toledo means I know how much work goes into successfully promoting yourself in any career. Having a great headshot means potential clients and customers know exactly who they will be working with. A person gets to put a face with your name and that can build trust and create a consistent client experience. Having a professional headshot is a really important part of any brand.
“I’ve been told I have a very warm, calming presence which is really beneficial because most clients come to my chair really nervous for a big event or shoot that I’m getting them ready for. I help them focus and calm their nerves either by talking or using tools/products that help them relax.” -Amy Lewis
Is there a piece of professional advice you received that has stuck with you on your career journey? Every call counts. Every day counts. It's easy to allow negative experiences and failures to discourage you, especially early in your career. However, we can learn from every experience and grow. I believe that failure is essential. I don't fear failure for this reason - I'm actually motivated by it.
“Femininity appears to be one of those pivotal qualities that is so important no one can define it.” -Caroline Bird
Today marks four years since I filed for my business license with the state. Four whole years!
If you hadn't noticed, I have learned a lot in that time. I work really hard to be very good at what I do. I am not a half-ass kind of person and I am going to make sure I can do a good job. I take every opportunity to learn something and I invest in my education. Skill and practice are integral to doing my job well.
Working with my Amy to pursue the creative things she loves has been such a fun experience. We have photographed outfits in snow, in rain, in summer heat. We have made some tricky locations look great and working with Amy has taught me new things about my own craft as well. Fashion photography is very different from portraiture or event coverage. I thrive on the textures, patterns, colors and flow of each outfit. I can’t wait to see the next ensemble she has for me to photograph.
I was contacted by Stacey a couple days later and we set up a networking meeting. As a business owner, it is so beneficial to make connections and grow relationships with other local professionals. I highly value having a list of service providers that I trust to refer my friends and clients to. Stacey explained how passionate she is about changing the face of her industry and calling her peers to a higher service standard. She hopes to see more diversity in the professional world, specifically more women entrepreneurs. Stacey enjoys using her time to network and invest in the community as well.
What is one tip you would give other self-employed professionals who are just starting out? Business can be rocky, especially at the beginning, so it’s important to keep developing ideas—to be innovative, to try new things. Don’t become stagnant. Keep learning—attend conferences, workshops, webinars. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Observe and learn what your clients want, and adjust your services accordingly. I’ve learned in life that things often don’t go as planned. This is true in business as well. Don’t fight it; go with it! Being stuck in one certain mindset can be damaging to your business’s success.
Every business need a strong brand. A large part of building an iconic brand is having professional images that show off your services, products or people. Check out a previous post I wrote about this topic here: “Commercial Branding Shoot. Why You Need One”. Working with local Toledo professionals to create high quality branding images has been a rewarding experience and I enjoy seeing how my services can make a difference in their business.
Commercial photography makes up a good portion of my business. I work with a variety of businesses and professionals in different fields. Some need branding images for their websites, some need social media content, and others are looking for headshots. Every business needs documentation of their product, service or professional faces. High quality commercial images play a large role in marketing to potential clients. I really enjoy being able to offer this service to Toledo area businesses. I love getting to know more about other professions and brands as I work with them on their commercial photos.
