headshots

Personal Branding Tip 2| Dress the Part

Long over are the days of the boring old “headshot” from the early 2000’s (more than a decade ago if you can believe it) when you needed just one “decent” picture of yourself.

 

Now in the digital world with your personal Facebook page, your own website, Linked-in, featured press releases, news articles, and the list goes on; are all part of your personal brand no matter what career you are in.

 

This whole “one decent image, shot with a decent camera” is no longer a good representation of you or your business!

 

People want to see who you are and get an idea for your AUTHENTIC self!

 

It’s all about building trust with your followers, clients, and leads. You need images that speak to them, engage them, and show off your unique style.

 

Tip #2 DRESS THE PART

 

When thinking of what to wear for your personal headshots, you should dress the part. Consider who your target market is and what it is you are selling.

 

Also, consider what your current logo and brand colors are. I recommend choosing clothing that either matches or compliments those colors. Visualize how the colors of your clothes will work with your logo or look on your website.

 

Then, consider the personal image you want to represent for your audience. Do you want to appear serious or laid back? Strong or gentle? Trendy or classic?

 

For example, if you are an interior designer, you may want to appear stylish, fun, but classic. So you could choose a classic cut dress and accessorize it with a unique statement piece of jewelry. Maybe bring your funky reading glasses to add a touch of personality too. Or go with a bold bright pattern for that one-of-a-kind statement.


Your headshot is your first impression you make with your clients online. The more effort you put in before your personal branding photo shoot, the more polished your images will appear and inevitably the more high end your services will appear.

What's the Big Deal About Your Headshot? | Personal Branding Tips

What’s the big deal about your headshots any way?

 

News Flash: The days of just popping in for a quick generic “headshot” from the early 2000’s are over!

 

We are now in a digital world where your personal image is key to your brand and personal image. Not to mention, your personal images are now the first thing everyone sees all day everyday.

 

With facebook, linked-in, your website, book cover, featured articles, press releases, the list can go on. All of these need your portrait aka your headshot. Or what we in the industry refer to as your branding portraits.

 

Years ago, an everyday run of the mill “headshot” from a “good camera” shot on a white wall, would have cut it. It may have been just “good enough” for your website or “it will do for now”.

 

Well this is no longer the case NOW in 2016, your clients, readers, followers, leads, bosses, all want to see who you are and why you’re worth it!

 

What do you have that sets you apart from the rest? Are you someone worth the time, money, or the job?

 

Your portraits are now an essential part of you and your business.


So for the next few weeks I want to help you find clarity on your personal brand and your personal image. I’ll be sharing my tips and tricks for the creating the most captivating, authentic, and impactful headshots for your business.  

 

TIP #1 KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Or better yet, make sure you understand your audience. 

Who is your dream client? If you could paint a picture of her/him, what does your client's life look like? Where does this client live? Where do they shop? What are your client's major struggles?

Once you can identify who you are targeting and attracting with your website and full marketing, you will be able to speak to them on a true authentic level through your images.

 

Meet the Ladies of the Headshot Marathon

We just wrapped our first Headshot Marathon of 2016 and I had the honor to photograph 6 amazing and inspiring women! These women are writing books, have Ted Talks in the works, are honored by their Universities and are some of the most amazing movers and shakers in Miami. 

So I am so excited to share just a sneak peek with you of some of my absolutely favorite images of the event. We had so much fun together and it was so much more than your "typical headshots" here. The girls brought the glam! 

Meet Chantal! She is a rockstar in Realestate development and one of the sweetest, most fun loving people I know. She always finds the bright side to life and loves to laugh. She loves to travel and finds it humbling.

If you are ever in Savannah GA check out her amazing rooftop bar Top Deck, over looking the river for incredible cocktails and fine dining "bar food". 

 

Meet Kim! She loves helping people feel better with her own Acupuncture and natural health practice in Miami Shores, the Miami Shores Holistic Health Center. 

Kim loves good food, great conversations and is as sweet as can be. 

LowRes_MichelleCitrinStudios©-1420.jpg

Meet Jessi! Her eyes just say it all. Jessi lets her heart guide her and has a great desire to make a difference in the world. She loves her family, friends, and her job at Baptist Health. 

Jessi loves to travel, be spontaneous, and is so gracious and humble. She has a gift that allows you to feel special when you are in her presence, as if you are the only one in the room. She is a women that understands how important community and heritage is, and one of her many passions is the Miami Jewish Federation. 

Meet Kathy! She is currently writing her second book and is passionate about helping people find their "niche" in life. She loves animals, the outdoors, and hanging with her husband Kevin. 

Kathy is currently working on programs and workshops to help baby boomers reinvent their lives at 50 Plus Reinvented. 

Meet Magali! She is an amazing Immigration attorney here in South Florida and the mom of teenage twins, if you can believe it. Magali makes appearances on Telemundo TV as a lead expert in immigration Law. 

Last but not least, is Rocio and she brought some of the most epic jewelry and clothes to her photo shoot. She is no stranger to sparkle and glamour. 

Rocio is a mother and a giver. She is in the works now to write a passionate novel and is inspired by creativity and culture.  

 

Thank you all for attending this very special event and I look forward to a long friendship with all of you incredible women! 

-Michelle Citrin

 

 

A Look Into the Headshot Marathon | Behind the Scenes

Last week we finished the much anticipated Headshot Marathon! This is our largest Semi-Annual sale to date. 

My team and I were so honored to have had 6 women join us as we photographed each client for their own private shoot back-to-back. Hence the cute nick name "marathon", we were in it for the long haul but excited for the challenge.

We have attracted so many inspiring and beautiful clients this year.

These women are writing books, planning on doing Ted Talks, were honored by their University Alumni boards,  are designing new websites, and launching a new TV career; just to name a few exciting things in the works for my 6 Michelle Citrin Studios Marathon girls. 

The day was filled with laughs, encouragement, and just plain fun.  Even though, each girl was there for business, specifically professional headshots, we made sure to take time for some personal beauty portraits. Work hard and play hard. 

During our in-person style consultation last week, I encouraged all of the ladies to bring in at least one "wow" dress. Something I like to call your "wild card" dress. This is a dress that you bring for you! A dress that has sparkle or shine. It may be something you bought years ago and love but have no special occasion to wear it. THIS IS YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION. 

Let's celebrate you and your achievements. Your personal growth and your self love. Let's celebrate being alive to see this day. Being given the gift to age is a blessing my friends. 


We hope you will join us for the next and final Headshot Marathon coming JUNE 2016. 

Behind the scene! Mini Headshot Marathons

This summer we had the pleasure of running two amazing headshot marathons for all of our fabulous men and women of Miami. Our first headshot marathon, we had the pleasure of photographing four amazing women. It was such joyous morning getting to know these women and have such a great turn out for our first ever marathon. 

Our second headshot marathon was as much of a success as the first! We were lucky enough to have the men to join us this time to experience what the mini headshot marathon was all about. A morning filled with laughs, coffee and tie-pairing, made the experience painless and very enjoyable for the two busy business men. Our lovely women spent the late morning getting pampered with hair and makeup as well as mixing and matching beautiful pieces of jewelry to compliment their stylish outfits. All in all, our headshot marathon was another great success, we are excited to see what additional mini marathons we think up next!

Enjoy our behind the scenes shots of our two marathons!

Meet Rochelle! 


Our client today was Rochelle, a freelance writer and editor. A longtime client, we had previously worked with Rochelle at the University of Miami and today, she came in for her corporate headshots. 

We’ve been developing our lighting techniques to mimic beauty dish light but by using only natural window light. Great success has come of it so far and we’re pleased by the results! 

If you want portraits taken and want a wonderful experience being prepped and pampered by our makeup artists, don’t hesitate to give us a shout over at Neox Image (305-576-7225).

Photos by our intern, Ayden Grace.