Professional Headshots for Financial Advisors

Financial Advisors usually spend much time at the office handling the monetary needs of their clients. Whether it is stocks and bonds, insurance decisions, tax laws, or virtually any type of investment, a Financial Advisor must look at the situation in whole to make the best decision for the long-term financial success of his or her client. In other words, you need to make sure that your client can trust you. 

© Valentina Sadiul Photogrpahy

When you meet someone in a business relationship online, what can you use as your firm handshake – the one that says, “I’m confident and can take care of your investments as if they were my own?” - Your headshot! 

Your headshot can either draw in clients or send them running. Therefore, having a professional headshot is so important. After all, who would you trust more with your financial assets – the one with the selfie photo on a surfboard? Or the one with the professional headshot? 

Your headshot is your key to branding. It appears on your business cards, your social media profiles, the very important networking site LinkedIn, etc. When it comes to Financial Advisors, trust is a must. Many in this position receive referrals from others within their network. If you present yourself well and do your job with confidence, you will go far. 

Now that you see how important a professional headshot is, let’s look at a few tips that will help you achieve the image you desire to portray:

• Dress with confidence. For men, dressing in a solid, classic, dark-colored business suit tends to work best. For women, solid, dark colors in a shirt or suit-coat will work well. 
• Avoid bright colors. Unless your company is known for a particular bright color, try to keep your headshot more mellow. For example, you can never go wrong with blacks, browns, grays, etc. 
• Avoid big jewelry. It is definitely ok to wear jewelry, but keep it to one large piece. When in front of the camera, a little goes a long way. 
• Avoid big patterns. While they may look great in person, they don’t do so well for the camera. Stick with solids. 
• Plan. Make sure you do any prep work in advance of the headshot photoshoot. For example, sunless tanning, waxing, shaving, hair dying, etc. 

In short, it is the way you present yourself that is going to help you succeed in your career. People are attracted to those who are poised, confident, charismatic, and bold. Let your corporate headshot show off your top qualities!

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

Tips on Choosing Accessories for Your Headshot Session

Professional headshots are very important for highlighting the profiles of the career-oriented people. Because of this, it is important to give these photos the best shot – by dressing carefully with the right attire and, though they are often overlooked, the proper accessories. Together, these can make their personalities more impressive for the viewers. 

Here are a few tips on those important accessories that you may otherwise overlook:

Right headshot accessories for men

• Tie – Lots of company executives or businessmen prefer to wear ties in an attempt to appear formal. They present with a polished look, often seen among professionals such as lawyers, financial advisors, and real estate agents. But headshots without a tie are also welcomed by people who want their professional portraits to look a bit informal or portray themselves as easily approachable. This are common among new businessmen owning startup companies. 
• Bow tie – A bow tie is a more informal form of neck accessory for men. Musicians, politicians, actors, and some businessmen seem to prefer the use of the bow tie as a mark of their style.
• Pocket square – This is a traditional fashion of men, creating squares or stylish designs with hankies placed visibly in the suit coat pocket. 
• CLICK HERE to see more examples

Most suitable headshot accessories for women

• Jewelry – When it comes to jewelry, minimalism is key. For example, a pair of small ear studs, instead of large earrings or a simple chain can be used instead of a broad necklace. However, if the woman is a jewelry designer, she can wear some selected sleek jewelry pieces that are designed by her.

Suitable headshot accessory for both men and women

• Glasses – The glasses are recommended to be used by both men and women who wear glasses on a generally. It is preferable for the glasses to have anti-glare coating to avoid the reflection of the light. If you wear glasses, make sure you take all the pairs you own to your headshot session to see which work best. 

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

My Signature Editing for Your Professional Headshot

As a headshot photographer, I work with real people from the classical music and business world. They are not professionally trained fashion models and most of them feel uncomfortable on front of the camera. 
The major difference between an amateur portrait photographer and skillful one is not only a strong knowledge of lighting and equipment, but also having skills in directing and editing. 

The process of the headshot photoshoot in my studio includes a guidance on how to pose, professionally set-up lighting and equipment, shooting tethered, so clients can give me feedback during the session to ensure that we achieve the best results in short time. The crucial step of final look is retouching favorite images. Keep in mind that photographers who provide unedited images to the clients are delivering unfinished work. This is not accepted in business of professional photography. 

My signature editing includes:

• Improving color, contrast and sharpness

• Retouching skin by clearing up blemishes and reducing wrinkles as needed

• Removing flyaway hairs and adding volume to the hair if needed

• Enhancing eyes

• Fixing the wardrobe shoulder line, editing underarms in sleeveless headshots.

Additional editing service can be provided by request for additional cost.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

Why Lawyers Need a Professional Headshot

Nowadays, every professional person needs to have a professional headshot that will act as his signature mark in the online commercial world. The lawyers need their headshots as much as the other professionals, as it increases their reliability in the eyes of their clients and thus help them make progress in their career.  The attorney headshot is extremely useful for posting in the business pages of social media sites, like LinkedIn and Facebook.

Enhances the trustworthiness

© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography

When people find the image of the attorney in different websites impressive enough, they feel more inclined to approach those lawyers for solving their legal problems, even if they do not know them very well. The profiles of the lawyers should always be accompanied with their professional headshots, for making their career smoother than others who do not bother to use one.

Increases the fame instantly

The attorney headshot can successfully become the brand signature of a good lawyer and speaks more about his confidence and professional success than what is written in his profile in words. Moreover, it makes the job of easier for their clients, when they are searching online to get in touch with that specific attorney for discussing their legal matters. Websites and social media profiles without headshots are usually passed over the one hired is someone that does have one.

How to get the best headshot for a professional lawyer

• First of all, it is best to hire a professional photographer, who is experienced in taking headshots with latest photographic equipments, because any unprofessional work will fail to draw the attention of the potential clients, as a properly done headshot should do.  So every ambitious lawyer should be ready for the expense of hiring a reputed professional photographer for this work.

• The lawyer should make sure that only his/her face is primarily shown in the headshot, to make it instantly noticeable, as one looks at the photo. So the background of the photo needs to be absolutely professional, without anything that may distract the viewers’ attention.

• The lawyer should wear only professional or any formal attire that suits best his personality and what other successful lawyers are seen to wear in their headshots. 

• The pose of the lawyer should be impressive while taking his headshot that will make him look smart and confident. So it is better to consult the hired photographer, who can suggest the best in this regard.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

Headshots for Luxury Real Estate Agents

A luxury real estate agent headshot on a website or business card is your clients’ first impression of you.  They look to you as a representative of the lifestyles that you can provide them. You will be expected to carry yourself with poise, and to be an iconic example of elegance.

McGuire Real Estate | Raymond Ho | http://raymondhosf.com/ © 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

What is most important is that you polish your personal brand. Ensure this with the perfect real estate headshot, which will be used for your business cards, your webpage’s “About Me” section, and your LinkedIn. This will make you much easier to find on the Internet, as well as highly recognizable and memorable. You will be the first step to buying a property before a client even opens a door, so you must be prepared to always impress. You walk a fine line: you must be sophisticated in order to dazzle a client, but also approachable in order to encourage a solid business relationship.

Since clients will be prepared to make a large investment on a property that exceeds what many can afford, they expect someone who exudes success and business acumen. In order to never be confused with an amateur, avoid images taken on an iPhone or any other low-quality device, which will negatively impact your brand.

Similarly, refrain from relying upon images that are either over 2 years old, or that include drastic changes in your appearance. Clients will be confused if they do not recognize you when they meet you in person, and will likely bring their business elsewhere. If you are intelligent about investing in a professionally taken real estate headshot, your media presence will be a profitable asset.

When you take self-presentation seriously with your real estate headshot, you will have a real advantage over your competition. By appearing charismatic, self-assured, well-dressed, and well-groomed, you will give a client the sense that you are highly experienced. Appearing appropriately stylish and well-to-do will earn their respect. They will get the sense that you regularly sell luxury real estate and have created a prosperous business

Here are some tips for your luxury real estate headshot:

McGuire Real Estate | Angelica Santamaria | http://angelicasantamariasf.com/ © 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

• Choose solid colors and prints, as they convey professionalism and directness. Patterns that are too “busy” can be distracting, and can detract from the refinement you’re selling.

• For women, consider a jewel-toned blouse in a flattering color. The subtle splash of vibrance will distinguish you, yet will still remain appropriate with the right business attire. For men, pay attention to which business suit-cut is on trend. Clients are likely to avoid someone with an outdated suit, which suggest an inability to keep up with the times.

• Opt for one upscale accessory in your headshot: a luxury watch or a classic necklace. This will show that you have a profitable business that you are secure about. Too many adornments suggest you are desperate to prove yourself.
 

Also remember to:

• Work with a skilled hair and makeup artist for your headshot in order to showcase your best self. It is advisable to have smoothed (not tousled or heavily styled) hair, which implies a commitment to professionalism.

• Maintain a friendly but assertive demeanor. Focus on looking attentive to a client needs, yet relaxed.
 

• Have 2-3 additional headshots prepared in addition to your primary real estate headshot. These will add variety to your potential publications and blog posts, as well as keep your social media content “fresh” and attractive to clients.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

5 Clothing No-no's For Your Business Headshot

Business headshot is now dubbed the new handshake as it is the first introduction of your business to the audience. Business Headshot can make a big impact for your business and choosing the right outfit determines how the portraits turn out. It doesn’t have to be a difficult thing to do as the easiest way of knowing what to wear is by knowing what not wear on your business headshot. 

Avoid logos and branding

The business headshot is seen by your current and future employees, customers, colleagues and investors. Having one with logos and branding makes it look awkward and unprofessional. Make your business headshot look friendly and approachable by wear plain colored professional clothes to make people focus their attention on your headshot but not the logo or branding.

Distraction in a sexy way

Your headshot is not a fashion show. Stay away from showing too much cleavage and tight fitting outfits. Your goal should be looking attractive and approachable, not as sexy as possible. Make sure your clothes are fitting but comfortable, not too tight and not too baggy. Make sure you can’t see through them and become overexposed.

Avoid clothes with patterns or stripes

Clothes with polka dots, busy floral, plaid or stripes do not look professional on a business headshot. Wear clothes without any distractions and those that suggest professionalism. Stay completely away from patterns or stripes since they tend to dominate the image more than your face should.  

Faded, wrinkled clothes with holes and stains

In a headshot, faded, wrinkled clothes with holes and stains should be avoided. Your headshot reflects your professionalism and this type of clothes shows you don’t take care of yourself, your career or your business seriously. 

Avoid too much jewelry

Simplicity is the key to a professional looking business headshot. The focus on your headshot should be solely on you, not the distracting jewelry. Too much jewelry is a no-go. If you need to put on jewelry, you know what looks best on you, pick colors that compliment your skin tone and those that bring out your eye color. 

Of course, you want to look your best in your business headshot. Wear what compliments your body type and if possible, bring two or three clothe option for your headshot session. Let your headshot show your character, highlight your personality and project your professionalism for who you are.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212