They say it only takes seven seconds to make a first impression during an in-person introduction – but what about online? As a financial advisor, you get one chance to grab a potential client’s attention, and a headshot can be a great way to do so.
Having a good headshot allows potential clients to get a sense of familiarity and professionalism from your website or social media profiles. Conversely, a bad headshot can also show a lack of attention to detail and sloppiness, which could reflect poorly on your firm.
People want to know who they are doing business with, so it’s important to have a high-quality image that they can make a connection with. Getting a good headshot doesn’t have to cost you much, but taking it on your own with no guidance can also end badly if not done correctly. To help you out, we’ve outlined some of the most important aspects to focus on to get that picture-perfect headshot for your website and/or social media profiles.
1. Background & Lighting
For starters, you need to have the right background. We’ve seen this differ across the board among advisors depending on the firm’s branding. You want to be sure to show your unique personality so it stands out to clients.
Outdoor Shots
Outdoor shoots are great for a more casual feel. If you choose to go this route, be sure you have the best possible lighting and are using a more simplistic background. Try to find a place where you are facing the light and be careful to avoid shadows.
Indoor Shots
If you choose to shoot indoors, use a solid color and spend time getting the lighting just right. Taking photos indoors can sometimes result in harsh lighting resulting in unflattering headshots. You may also want to use a brighter color for the backdrop so it stands out in smaller profile pictures.
Combining both indoor and outdoor shots is also a great way to illustrate both a fun and professional side of your team. Twenty Over Ten’s hover-state feature is a fun touch that allows you to show off your firm’s culture.
Twenty Over Ten client, Peace of Mind Financial Planning has some fun with their headshots, combing both inside and outside photos with beautiful scenery.
2. Clothing
Professional, tailored attire is a must when taking a good headshot. But that doesn’t mean you have to wear all muted colored clothing. Depending on the color of your background, try wearing a colored shirt or tie for men to make your headshot pop more. This also helps convey more personality.
However, busy patterns and larger jewelry should always be avoided for headshots as they can become distracting. You also want to be sure you have clean but simple hair and makeup. Don’t worry about spending money to have your hair and makeup professionally done as long as you take the time to showcase your best appearance.
In the above image, Twenty Over Ten client, Clint Sorenson of WealthShield, chooses a more professional headshot look.
3. Framing
When shooting, be sure you are framing from the chest up. Shooting from the chest up ensures that you can tell who it is, regardless of the photo size. Eye contact is also another important aspect of your headshot. You want to look directly at the camera for the most effective picture. Some other things to remember are that you should practice your facial expression beforehand so they look and feel more comfortable and relaxed.
In the above image from Alexander Wealth Planning, Financial Planner Don Alexander has a strong headshot used in both his LinkedIn photo and the one on the website. The image is taken from the chest up, looking at the camera with neutral colors and a dark background.
Key Takeaways
Just like when you create content for your website, you want to portray you and your team as professionals, yet want to “humanize” your firm and show that personal touch. It’s important that you do this with your headshots as strong photographs really stand out as prospects want to see who they will be working with before making that commitment. We hope that these simple tips have helped and you can utilize them when taking your next professional headshots for your website.
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