email print article rss feed share on Close Bookmark and Share This Page Save to Browser Favorites Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo! Email This to a Friend Copy HTML:  Powered by Bookmarkify™ More » Powered by Bookmarkify™

Humans are wired to memorize, identify, and sort the faces we encounter. Equipped to read subtle nuances of expression, we can judge a person's emotional state-and even their motives.   That's why portraits are so valuable: they communicate our personality, motives, and character.

Following are some tips to help you as you create a portrait for your success.


CHOOSE A PORTRAIT STYLE

Portrait styles vary widely: from classical to contemporary, staged to candid, and full-length to headshots.  The headshot is an accepted modern format for a professional portrait-the contemporary equivalent to a sculptural bust.

Headshots originated in the acting world. Even today, casting directors use headshots to identify an actor's personality.  An effective portrait-no matter the style-will capture the essential you, authentic and natural.



HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER

There is a big difference between a candid snapshot and a professional portrait.  Aside from color, lighting, and composition, the biggest difference is in the attention to detail. Remember, quality makes a statement about you.  Your portrait is a formal declaration of how you wish to be seen.  When your prospects are ‘casting' for a business role, you are also their prospect.  An effective portrait can help you be remembered positively.

It is more important to find a photographer you trust and with whom you feel comfortable than to find the perfect setting.  Your interaction with your photographer will be visible in the final image.  If you are uncomfortable with your photographer, that will translate in the image. And viewers will think you are uncomfortable with them.

DRESS THE PART

Most photographers provide free consultation on the best clothing to wear for your portrait.  A professional portrait is more about capturing your personality than it is about your wardrobe; however, you should dress appropriately for the role you are advertising.  That look will vary depending on your profession. Generally, solid colors photograph better than prints or patterns, as the latter tend to "date" images quickly and distract from your face.  Also, larger stripes photograph better than thin ones, though a pinstripe suit is always a timeless and classic look.  Darker colors contrast well with lighter skin tones; lighter colors generally work better for darker complexions.  Most importantly, your face should be distinct from your outfit and from the background.



BE YOURSELF-AND SMILE!

You don't have to be a model to create an effective portrait. Just relax.  Discuss with your photographer any feature about which you are self-conscious.  They're not magicians, but photographers are skilled at accentuating your best features while diminishing flaws.

And don't forget to smile honestly. To see an unnatural smile, just point a camera at someone and say, "Cheese!"  Most of us are conditioned to make a face that we believe our smile looks like.  This hyper-conscious expression looks fake, because it is fake.  An unnatural or uncomfortable looking pose or expression can erode the impression of trustworthiness you've worked so hard to create.

YOUR IMAGE-YOUR BRAND

A portrait amplifies your marketing efforts by making abstract stories come to life.  Customers recall the benefits of working with you.  A well-made portrait helps potential customers relate to you-and trust you.  Once an audience begins to believe they know you, having only heard stories and seen photographs of you, you've established the foundations of well-marketed popularity - also known as "fame."  This is the essence of "celebrity" and the basis of becoming a symbol of your own brand: the collection of emotional impressions customers have about you and your products and services.



HOW A PORTRAIT WILL WORK FOR YOU

It takes ongoing effort to build a brand to which customers are loyal.  Establish your brand by doing what you do well - solving problems, making people feel good, and, of course, marketing it well.

You are what you say you are until you prove otherwise.  Market yourself in the way you want to be perceived and then back it up.  Integrate your portrait into your marketing and become real to your audience, linking a face to the stories they hear about you.  In doing this, you will cement your likeness in viewers' minds as an expert in your field, and they will associate you with the positive feelings of having their problems solved.

---

More To the Next Level articles

One Response to “Create Success with a Professional Portrait”

1. Tracy Bookman Photography » Are Business Portraits Necessary? Says:
   February 6th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

   [...] never thought of having a portrait done for yourself for your business needs, check out the this article here from SuccessNet Online to see why you may want to consider one. Following is an excerpt from the [...]