New Headshots? Plan How You'll Use Them.
TL;DR
Getting new headshots is only part of the process. Before your session, think about where you'll use them. From your website and social media profiles to email signatures and business cards, a little planning ahead of time helps you get more value from your investment, while ensuring your new images actually get put to work.
Booking a professional headshot session is a smart step toward presenting yourself and your business with confidence. But while you're thinking about what to wear and how you want to look, there's another question worth asking: Where will these photographs actually be used? Planning for those decisions prior to your shoot can help you get more value from your images once they're delivered.
I've noticed over the years is that people often purchase new headshots to update their images in one specific place or for one specific usage, for example, a requested piece of press. However, after fulfilling that initial use, they overlook everywhere else it appears. And understandably so. Life gets busy, business responsibilities take priority, and suddenly that new photograph is on LinkedIn while your website, email signature, and other client-facing materials still feature an older image. It's rarely intentional. More often, it's simply the result of not having a plan for where those photographs need to go when you receive them.
Start with your social media profiles. LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook are obvious places to update your image, whether you're representing yourself or your business. You might also use your new headshot in a simple introduction post, reminding people who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.
Next, look at your website. Is the photograph on your About page current? Would a new portrait help visitors connect with the person behind your services? Depending on your business and the way your site is designed, a photograph may also have a place in a homepage or hero section. Thinking about those placements before your session can help you identify what kind of image will work best. Being in conversation about those needs prior to the shoot will also ensure you get the exact images for your placement.
Don't overlook the smaller, everyday touch points. An email signature, business card, proposal, or even an invoice might seem like a minor detail, but these are places where clients encounter your business repeatedly. Updating them helps create a consistent, recognizable presence. Ultimately, the goal is to build and maintain a consistent brand across all of your client interactions.
You don't need dozens of photographs or an elaborate marketing campaign to make a new headshot worthwhile. You just need a plan. Before your session, take a few minutes to identify the places you'll update when your images arrive. That way, instead of wondering what to do with your investment afterward, you'll be ready to put it to work.
Start with a simple inventory of your professional touchpoints. Make a list of your website pages, social media profiles, and other places where clients or colleagues encounter your personal or business brand. Identify which already feature your photograph, which are outdated, and which might be missing an opportunity to make a more personal connection. From there, create a final checklist of everywhere you'll want to update your imagery once your new headshots are delivered.
If you're planning to update your professional image, South Atlanta Photography offers professional headshots and portraits for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses throughout the Atlanta area. Whether you need a single headshot or a more comprehensive collection of personal branding photographs, we'll help you create images that are purposeful, versatile, and ready to represent you wherever your work takes you
