Jul 29, 2022
This podcast episode is available in audio and video via my YouTube Channel. In this episode, we talk about what a professional headshot is, why pharmacists need one, and some best practices related to interviewing a photographer, dressing for the session, storing your portraits, what you can use a professional headshot for, and more.
Disclaimer: This episode contains my views and experiences…Take them with a grain of salt. If you research professional headshots or best practices for professional headshots, you might find other opinions. This episode is meant to help you if you’re a pharmacist who is new to getting a professional headshot.
Thank you for listening to episode 163 of The Pharmacist’s Voice ® Podcast!
To read the full show notes, visit https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com. Click on the podcast tab, and search for episode 163.
Mentioned in this episode
The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 140 My 2022 Press Kit
The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 160 featuring Dr. Dimple Gandhi
The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 161 featuring Dr. Danielle Perrodin
The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 162 featuring Dr. Leslie Hodge
Vanity Studios Perrysburg, OH https://www.thevanitystudios.com
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What is a professional headshot?
In my own words, it’s a high-resolution head/shoulders picture of YOU.
Why should you get one?
✅First impressions earn trust.
✅Show who you are without saying a word.
✅Pharmacists are not typically comfortable with self-promotion and being in front of a camera, but get the headshot anyway!
How do you get a professional headshot?/Who does the photography?/Where do you go?
- Google places and look at their picture gallery. Do you like their work?
- Ask friends for a referral if they’re happy with their photographer.
- Find a professional photographer who…
📌is easy to work with
📌is easy to get to
📌creates high-resolution images
📌will give you a photo release to use them where you need to use them
📌has a clean and comfortable studio (visit the studio)
📌can show you samples of their work
📌has reasonable rates
📌and [optional] collaborates with a makeup artist you can hire.
Where can you use your professional headshot?
- Website(s)
- Social media
- Business cards
- Swag: coffee cup, T-shirt
- Online press kit/media kit/PR kit
- Conference Apps (APhA, state pharmacist organizations)
- Advertisement for a public-speaking appearance or other promotional materials
- Framed images for your office, store, or family
- Your resume
How often should you get one?
- I recommend every 1-2 years. Update your headshot when your appearance changes. If you’re a public speaker, you want the headshot you give the conference organizers to match your appearance when you show up live.
- Remember, this is your first impression. If you take a lot of online meetings, and people book those meetings off your website, where you have an outdated professional headshot, they’re in for a shock when they see you live!
How much does one cost?
- Depends on the number of images purchased, packages offered by the photographer, and additional services purchased (make-up application, pictures on a flash drive, etc.)
- Services provided: headshot, branding photos, make-up, etc.
- Combining sessions? (Branding? Family pics?)
Where should you store your professional headshots?
- Store your images in more than one place. Some suggestions include Google Drive, Dropbox, a flash drive, the cloud, or your computer’s hard drive.
- I talk about headshots and storing them in episode 140 of my podcast. To learn more, check out episode 140.
What should you wear [for your professional headshot]?
- Look at your photographer’s work samples. If you see something you like, copy it!
- Look at Pinterest for ideas.
- Ask a stylist to help you with your clothing if you need suggestions. Danielle Perrodin or Leslie Hodge from episodes 161 and 162 are excellent choices. They are pharmacists and person stylists/image consultants. They can definitely help!
- My recommendations for a professional headshot for a pharmacist: Men & Women
- I recommend a shirt and tie for men, dress or formal blouse with a blazer for women
- business casual or scrubs and a lab coat are fine too. I have also had audio equipment in some of my pictures.
- How you show up for the camera shows that you’re serious about your career.
- Get your hair cut and/or colored (if needed) within a week prior to your session. Men, shave or trim your facial hair a couple of hours in advance.
- Jewelry. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Think about how the pic might get cropped.
- Make-up. Get it right for flash photography, or hire a make-up artist.
Poses
- You can look at the photographer’s work samples. If you see something you like, copy it.
- If you have any requests, share them with your photographer. Go to Pinterest for ideas.
- If you want a variety, let him/her know!
- It’s likely that the photographer will ask you to assume a number of positions so that they can play with her body language. It may feel uncomfortable to hold certain positions at certain angles, but you will thank them for it later. They know how to play with light and angles so that you look great!
Get a photo release (gives legal permission to share the image with others)
- You have to ask for one.
- Printing shops WILL ask.
Research
- Research as needed so you get your needs met.
- You can google articles or find YouTube videos about finding a photographer, what to wear, poses, and more. Pharmacists love research! Do what you nee do to feel comfortable.
- Make a list of what you want, and share it with your photographer.
- Lay everything out in advance of the session. Make sure it’s clean, pressed, and ready to go.
📸If you haven’t checked out the YouTube version of this episode, there are a lot of great pictures in there, including a couple of me getting my makeup done by my makeup artist, Kristina, and at least one of my husband posing for his headshots so you can get a behind-the-scenes look.
If you know someone who would like this episode, please share it with them!
Thank you for listening to Episode 163 of The Pharmacist’s Voice ® Podcast!