Corporate Headshots as a Business Meeting Perk

We’ve pretty much reached the point where, regardless of your job, you need a corporate headshot for work. Whether it’s for Linkedin or your corporate website, your headshot will largely shape how others perceive you in the corporate world. Projecting a vision of confidence and approachability is critical. You might think a simple selfie and some fancy filters will suffice, but I assure you, the results from a professional photographer more than justify the cost. A professional photographer will use his/her skills with lighting, background choice, retouching and most importantly, posing, to create an image of you that will set you apart from the crowd.

Knowing this, forward looking companies are now looking for opportunities to give not only their own employees, but also their industry associates, corporate headshots as a gift. Last week I was photographing a corporate conference at Estancia La Jolla, called Impact AD for the Keck School of Medicine at USC where they brought in researchers from around the country to discuss how to improve the quality of their research projects by diversifying their research subjects. It was actually quite fascinating to watch. The conference organizers hired me to come in and shoot business headshots for any/all attendees who wanted one. By consolidating many headshots into one short session (in this case I shot roughly 40 headshots in less than an hour and a half), they could bring the cost per person WAY down compared to shooting each individually. The attendees LOVED this perk and came away with a corporate headshot that they can use for years to come. Enjoy a few of the images I captured.

Outside the comfort zone: Putting myself in FRONT of the camera!

As a photographer, it's easy to get caught up in always being behind the camera, capturing moments and memories for others. But it's important to remember that being a model in front of the camera is just as crucial for growth and self-discovery. Here's why you should occasionally switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

1. Empathy for Your Models: When you are the model, you get a better understanding of how it feels to be in front of the camera. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding of your subjects, making it easier to guide and direct them to get the best results.

2. Improved Understanding of Light and Angles: By experiencing first-hand what it's like to be lit, positioned and angled in different ways, you can get a better sense of what works and what doesn't. This can result in more creative and effective compositions when shooting other subjects.

3. Personal Growth: Shooting self-portraits can help you explore and challenge your own insecurities and self-perceptions. This can be a liberating and empowering experience, leading to personal growth and increased self-confidence.

4. Break from Routine: Taking a break from your normal routine of always being behind the camera can be refreshing and help reignite your creativity. Experimenting with new poses, lighting, and settings can inspire you to approach your photography in new and exciting ways.

5. Building Your Portfolio: Finally, capturing images of yourself can add variety to your portfolio, showcase your creativity and skills, and provide a personal touch that clients and viewers can connect with. While I didn’t venture too far outside of my creative box for this shoot, I did find that one of my favorite portrait backdrops worked quite nicely for a business headshot. So there’s that. ;-)

In conclusion, taking the time to get in front of the camera every once in a while can have numerous benefits for photographers. It can provide new perspectives, improve technical skills, and lead to personal growth. So, don't be afraid to switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

How Frequently Should I Update My Corporate Headshot or Executive Portrait?

As a professional photographer, one of the most common requests I receive is for business headshots. Whether it’s for a company website, social media profile, or professional networking site, a well-done business headshot is essential for any professional looking to make a great first impression.

However, one question that I often hear from potential clients is, “How often do I need to update my headshot?” The answer is simple: frequently.

There are several reasons why updating your business headshot frequently is important:

1. It reflects your current appearance

Your appearance changes over time, whether it’s a new hairstyle, a new pair of glasses, or a new wardrobe. An outdated headshot can make you appear unprofessional or out of touch. By updating your headshot frequently, you ensure that your clients and colleagues are seeing a current and accurate representation of you.

2. It reflects your current brand

Your brand is constantly evolving, and your headshot should reflect that. If your brand changes, whether it’s a rebranding or a change in your business focus, an updated headshot can help you communicate that change to your clients and colleagues.

3. It keeps you relevant

In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s important to stay relevant. An outdated headshot can make you appear out of touch or behind the times. By updating your headshot frequently, you’ll be seen as a professional who is up-to-date and current.

4. It keeps you top-of-mind

When your headshot is updated frequently, it keeps you top-of-mind with your clients and colleagues. Whether it’s on your website, social media profiles, or professional networking sites, an updated headshot ensures that people will remember you when they need your services.

In conclusion, updating your business headshot frequently is essential for any professional looking to make a great first impression. It reflects your current appearance, brand, and keeps you relevant and top-of-mind. So, don’t wait, schedule your next headshot session today and let your clients and colleagues know that you are dedicated to staying current and professional.

Attorney Bill Berman updated his executive portrait to reflect his emphasis on sports litigation and specifically a large lawsuit he has with the NFL and ESPN.

Friends don't let friends use selfies for headshots!!!

Friends don’t let friends use iphone pics for their business headshots!  It’s a call I’ve received many times over the years as a professional photographer, “John, can you please retouch this shot for me???”  And so it was today, when my good friend and professional voice actor, Joanna Stadwiser (affectionately known as She-Stad) texted me about retouching the shot on the right (above).  I asked what it was for (vaguely remembering that we had discussed doing a new headshot for her a couple months back) and she told me her radio imaging agency needed a “professional” headshot for their new website.

“How soon can you be at my studio?” I asked.  Well, it turned out her daughter had a fever, so she couldn’t leave the house.  “Fine, I’ll be there in an hour”. I’ve shot personal branding and actor headshots for Joanna several times before, and I knew that A - she hates having her picture taken (despite being clearly crazy photogenic) and B - she’s very picky about how she’s lit.  She does NOT like studio strobes, but prefers very flat natural light (there are more rules she has, but these will suffice for now). And before you photographers jump all over me, I KNOW you can light someone flat with studio strobes! lol.

Her agency required a simple white backdrop and a basic head and shoulders headshot.  I looked around her house for about a minute and found a doorway that would work. I opened my portable white backdrop and placed it behind where I wanted her, grabbed my camera and we were off.  I shot a few test images and showed her how amazing she looked to get her to relax and trust that we’d get the shot and get it quickly. Camera in full 10+ frame per second motor drive mode, we shot about 300 images or so in less than five minutes.  Was every frame perfect? Nope. Did we nail the shot? Um, yeah, we did! Will she ever try to shoot her own professional headshot again? If she does, she has to answer to me!  

By the way, if you’re looking for the second best woman working in voice-over today (my wife, Rebecca Riedy, being the best, of course ;-), then definitely check out http://joannastadwiser.com/.  Not only is she beautiful and crazy talented, but she’s one of the funniest people you’ll EVER meet!

If you’re ready to up your professional headshot, corporate headshot, profile pic, branding image, or whatever the millenials are calling it these days, please don’t hesitate to call me at 818-445-7752 or email me at john@johnriedy.com.

Welcome to my Blog!!!

Some of you may remember that many years ago there existed a John Riedy Photography blog. It was filled with beautiful young couples whose weddings I had photographed both in Southern California and all over the world. Blogs were all the rage back then and I was pretty good about keeping it current…for a while. Then, like all good things, it came to an end. Becky and I had kids and life just got in the way. Well, the kids are pretty much grown now and we’ll be empty nesters before you know it. My career has taken myriad twists and turns over the past 20 years and I never would’ve guessed I’d be where I am now. I shoot few weddings these days (though I still do love them), but rather spend most of my shooting days in either Vietnam or Europe photographing war veterans back on their battlefields. When I’m home, I do a lot more studio work focusing mainly on corporate headshots and personal branding. I also love photographing commercial and residential real estate.

Suffice it to say, my life and priorities have changed. I’m very excited to use this blog to give my friends and clients a glimpse into my career and how I approach my work/passion of photography. If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the years, it’s that I LOVE what I do and the people I do it with. So to conclude this first post of my new/old blog I just want to thank EVERYONE who has allowed me to capture them through my lens. You are why I’m still doing this with love and gratitude after 20 years. And thank you to my loving wife Becky, who’s incredible work you can check out at www.rebeccariedy.com, and my sons Jack and Cole, for putting up with my wacky travel schedule and for always being more or less willing to sit as my lighting dummies.