In a world where on average a person is inundated with thousands of photos per day it is important to make sure that your personal image makes a serious impact. If you run a business or need your online profile to make an impression and stand out from all the other faces an eye-catching portrait is key. How you want to portray yourself is a significant part of what kind of photograph you need. Three things to keep in mind before having a professional head shot taken:

1- How you want people to feel when they see you or the look you want to portray.

My personal rule of thumb while photographing business portraits is to make the person look professional but approachable. This look tends to be the best of both worlds, but ask yourself what kind of message you want to deliver to a potential client or employer.

2- What position do you currently hold within your company?

A photograph of a corporate Vice President holding a beer bottle in a lounge chair is not the most professional image to attach to a company and yes, I have seen this exact profile picture used on LinkedIn. If you sell beer, you may have hit your mark, but if you have any other career, this is can come across a little sloppy. When it comes to your online presence the message you give is important.

3- Are you looking to move up within a company or change careers?

If you aren't happy in the position you currently hold that's ok. The idea is present an image that represents where you want to be. Self image is incredibly important to how you act and feel about where you are and want to be, not only professionally, but in life in general. Putting your best foot and best face forward can change your life!

Here are some images of people who really hit the mark with their professional image-