7 secrets of successful business portraits – tips for those who want to build a professional image

The profile photo we choose on Linkedin and other business portals is of great importance. You should be aware that it is not only our business card, but above all an extremely effective tool for building a professional image. Before we accept a profile photo, we should be aware that a good photo will work for us, but if taken unprofessionally – it can seriously harm us. For this reason, it is worth finding out what a business session should look like, what features an effective business portrait has and what mistakes should be avoided when choosing a photographer.

Characteristics of a good business photo

In business photos, unlike ordinary photos, every, even the smallest, element counts. Facial expressions, body position, styling, hairstyle and makeup, background and even small accessories are important. If any of the above elements are not consistent with the rest, there is a risk that the recipient will consider us unreliable. For example, when the president of a large company (from whom we expect self-confidence, independence, and the ability to act efficiently in stressful situations) has a terrified face in the photo or seems absent – we will think that something is wrong. The person in the photo will not be convincing to us, we will not trust him.

We must be aware that business photos of people operating in different industries may differ significantly. We will also notice significant differences in business photographs of women and men operating in the same industry and holding the same position. Only an experienced photographer has the knowledge and experience to create a business portrait for a client from any industry.

The secret to successful business portraits is proper facial expressions

People who decide to take a business portrait do not always realize how important facial expressions are. It should be consistent with our image, otherwise the recipient of the photo will not evaluate us positively. Some photographers try to be original by asking their clients to present different, often not very good facial expressions. When we look at unsuccessful business photos, we see that one of the common mistakes is, among others:

1). Too stern face. This is a serious mistake, especially when we present the photo in places such as Linkedin, where it will be viewed by many people who have never seen us in person. Such facial expressions may scare them away and make them consider us unlikable.

2). Absent eyes. If the recipient notices that our gaze is absent, he may come to the conclusion that we do not take our professional responsibilities seriously, which will certainly make a bad impression on him.

3). Terrified look. This is a big mistake, especially when it comes to business photos. Such photos should exude self-confidence (regardless of our position). Uncertainty or even fear will certainly not encourage anyone to contact us.

4). A face without emotion, a look without expression. – are what should be avoided at all costs in business photos. Such facial expressions do not make a good impression and do not encourage closer contact.

Body position. Pose like a supermodel… in the corporate world!

The position of the model’s body is also of great importance in business photos. The attitude of the person being photographed is immediately noticeable and influences the recipient’s subconscious. I do not include sample photos here, but I will briefly describe the most common mistakes:

1). A hunched silhouette. Slouching is a problem for a large part of society. We must be aware that a hunched person gives the impression of being insecure and weak, which will certainly not go unnoticed by the recipient. Remember that only an upright silhouette is a signal of self-confidence and courage. We attribute greater knowledge and skills to upright people.

2). Hiding your hands behind your back. This is an extremely unfortunate attitude. We must be aware that a person who hides his hands behind his back is perceived as hiding something. A person looking at such a photo will certainly not trust our competences. Rather, he will ask about what we have to hide.

3). Exaggerated gestures. Theatrically exaggerated, artificial gestures make us unreliable to the recipient. This attitude can create distance. For some it will be downright repulsive. Artificiality is not what will convince potential customers and business partners.

4). Crossed arms. This is a defensive posture often used by people standing in front of the camera. For the recipient, it is a signal that we are not open and self-confident. By crossing our arms, we subconsciously protect ourselves from contacts with the outside world.

Styling in business: When suit meets haute couture!

Styling is another extremely important element of a business photo. There are photographers who don’t pay enough attention to it. Analysis of business photos shows that the most popular styling mistakes are:

1). Ruined clothes. Some people posing for business photos do not pay attention to the fact that their outfits are a bit worn. Any dirt, damage or abrasion on the sleeves is unwelcome. Remember that the recipient of the photo will notice even minor flaws in our clothing.

2). Clothes not ironed. When posing for business photos, we must be aware that the camera lens is able to highlight the smallest wrinkles in our clothing. Even those we probably wouldn’t notice in real life. Before leaving for a session, make sure that all items of your wardrobe are well ironed.

3). Wearing clothes that are the wrong size. Wearing clothes that are too large and fit poorly is the domain of men. Men often put on old clothes, not paying attention to the fact that their figure changes over time. A common mistake among women is to wear clothes that are too tight, which looks equally bad. An outfit that fits perfectly in terms of size is able to hide many imperfections of our figure.

4). Bad style of clothes. You should be aware that not all clothes available on store shelves are suitable for us, even if they are in our size. The style of clothes should be adapted to our figure. Otherwise we will look bad.

5). Low quality fabrics. We should not save on clothes, especially when our professional position is high. We can be sure that an attentive recipient will notice that we are wearing an outfit made of poor quality materials. It will certainly not make a good impression on him and will be contrary to the image we are trying to create.

6). Styling not suited to the nature of our work. It is a huge mistake to wear clothes for photos that are contrary to the dress code in our workplace. Even if we feel good in such outfits (because, for example, they highlight the advantages of our figure), we will be perceived unfavorably.

7). Unfortunate choice of colors. Let us remember that properly selected colors emphasize our beauty and make us look good. If we have no sense of colors, ask a stylist for help. It is also important to avoid bright colors that distract the recipient’s attention and cause problems in graphic processing.

Magic makeup tricks for business photos: Mattify and shine!

Regardless of whether we are women or men, it is worth taking care of makeup for a business photo. In the case of men, it is usually limited to mattifying the skin (this way we will avoid unsightly shine). Ladies must remember that well-chosen makeup will highlight their beauty and add self-confidence. At the same time, if done incorrectly, it will make a bad impression on the recipient. The perfect makeup for a business session is:

1). Subdued. Let’s avoid exaggerated makeup. Flashy colors, artificial eyebrows, very strong emphasis on the eyes and lips – perhaps it will work well during carnival. Let’s remember that good makeup is one that highlights our beauty. Changing facial features or enlarging lips is inappropriate in this case.

2). Precise. Let’s spend more time on precise makeup application. If we lack skills and experience, let’s entrust this task to a professional make-up artist. If we decide to draw lines, paint eyebrows or draw lips, it must be done carefully. Symmetry is of great importance.

3). Mat. Regardless of how shiny we like cosmetics, makeup for a business photo should be matte. Only then will it look professional and highlight the advantages of our beauty.

4). Tailored to a specific person. There is no one universal makeup that will suit everyone. The colors and makeup technique must be selected individually.

Business photography secrets: when the background screams louder than you!

The background may seem like an insignificant element of a business photo, but this is only an illusion. A well-chosen background will enhance a positive image, while a poorly chosen one will ruin our efforts.

There are photographers who choose a plain background. This certainly has its advantages. A portrait on a plain background is more universal and can be used in many places – for example on a CV. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a light or dark background.

A popular solution is also to take business photos in the office or another place that suits the nature of our business.

When looking at the effects of business sessions, it is easy to notice that the background is often chosen inappropriately.

A common mistake is too intense a background that distracts the viewer’s attention from us. Remember that the primary purpose of a profile photo is to familiarize the viewer with our image. The background should therefore highlight it and present it in the best light.

A serious shortcoming in business photography is choosing a background with background characters. This is an unforgivable mistake. Let us remember that we should play the main role in our portrait. Only then will we make a good impression on the recipients.

Photoshop in the service of business: how to avoid becoming another meme on the Internet?

Overly processed photos are nothing new to us. We often have the opportunity to observe them in newspapers, billboards, advertisements and the illustrated press. This behavior is justified because graphic designers want the photos to be as attractive as possible. However, excessive graphic processing may cause unplanned effects.

Looking at photoshopped photos of models makes many people dissatisfied with their appearance. In young people, this often causes serious complexes. When we see corrected photos, we may want our photos to be heavily retouched (we think that only then will we be able to keep up with the competition).

It’s hard to imagine a business photo without graphic processing. However, it is extremely important to exercise moderation when retouching the image. It is natural that there is often a temptation to make minor corrections. However, you must remember that a business photo is a type of document – the person viewing our portrait on the Internet must be able to recognize us in real life.

Unfortunately, overly processed photos distort the truth about what we look like. When, during a live meeting, it turns out that our appearance does not match the image captured in the portrait, the person meeting us may feel disappointed. In such a case, a business portrait does not fulfill its most important function – it does not strengthen trust in us.

Business portraits with an expiration date: when your photo screams “it was in the 90s.”

We already know what the most important elements that influence the positive reception of a business portrait are. It is important to focus on another key aspect – the timeliness of the photo.

Let’s imagine that we have a perfect business portrait that meets all our expectations. Such a photo works for itself, it makes us stand out in the crowd, it strengthens our professional position, and we simply like it. We took care of our professional image and now we can focus on other aspects of our business.

However, nothing is given once and for all. Life passes, business develops dynamically. We achieve goals, get promoted, and expand our businesses. We are changing, so at some point we should think about updating our business portrait.

If we have been using one proven photo for several years and we are extremely satisfied with it, replacing it may be a difficult decision. Why change what works well?

However, you should realize that a business portrait serves as an important document and its main task is to present the current appearance of our person. This is very important because the validity of our image translates into building trust.

At this point, I could give various examples where an outdated business photo worked to the disadvantage of an entrepreneur. However, let me tell you a more personal anecdote: each of us knows the proverb very well: “a shoemaker walks without shoes.” How I used the same portrait for ten years. Fortunately, this photo has already found its place in the archive.

Professional business photos reflect our dynamic nature and show the world our best sides. The prestige and trust we build thanks to a real, professional image may prove crucial to our professional success.