Professional Photography for Social Media Head Shots and Avatars | Maris Ehlers Photography

Entrusting your image, honing your brand, finding your look.

To put it bluntly, I wanted a photographer who would make me look good in ways I could not imagine. I pride myself on providing thoughtful, energetic PR and leadership services to my clients.  I wanted nothing less from my photographer and would not rest until I found one. 

Selecting a photographer was as important and strategic decision for me as having a short-list of trusted professionals who deliver excellent, reliable service to my professional and personal life: designers, CPAs, physicians and mechanics to name a few. 

Quality photo shoots are a fairly new requirement for service professionals.  In my 24 year career in public relations, I had never needed one for myself until I decided to start consulting. I visited websites of local studios, made a few calls and didn’t feel I had found a confident, talented photographer with whom I could entrust my image.

Finally, through personal reference, I reviewed Maris Ehlers Photography's website, became comfortable with Maris’ ability to capture professional images I sought and engaged her services for a winter photo session. For the first time in my PR career, I was commissioning a shoot for myself, so well in advance of our session, we exchanged a lot of information.  She was as interested in my goals as she was in preparing me for the shoot. But still, changing roles from PR pro to model wasn’t easy. Maris and her team assisted me graciously.

So, from a Norwegian Lutheran perspective (vain IS a four-letter word!), here are 5 points to consider when selecting a photographer to capture your look and how Maris Ehlers Photography delivers.

5. A head-shot with a gray-smoke backdrop will earn you a C in your marketing materials.

4. Your photographer should care about your hair, make-up and wardrobe selections.  The more these key points are discussed, the more you recognize your photographer’s mind is scanning and processing for color, depth and contrast.

3. Your photographer is part of YOUR marketing team. Maris reviews your website or existing materials and asks questions about planned use of the images from your shoot.  Colors, themes and formats all factor into her plans for you.

2. Looking comfortable and natural is key. Landing the gig today requires trust and confidence in a person’s ability. Your images will show your clients and prospects that you don’t settle for ordinary and put your own best forward every time.

1. You will be so satisfied, you’ll never have to look for another photographer.  Cross that chore off the list, because you and your circle will never waste money again on dull, unimaginative “head shots” or family photos.

Whether you’re a sole proprietor or professional in a large organization, marketing budgets today are tight and distinguishing yourself from others requires strategy. People sift through thousands of pieces of information daily, so this is your chance to leave them with an unforgettable impression: You!  


You can see Maris' work on my website at:  www.cynthiabemisabrams.com.

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Cynthia Bemis Abrams provides leadership advising and training that emphasizes change, values and communications. She is Board Secretary to ClearWay Minnesota and a contributing writer to Leadership and Community and MinnPost.

Contemporary Professional Head Shots and Portraits | Maris Ehlers Photography

Do you use a social media site for professional purposes?  Some examples would be Linkedin, Facebook, or Twitter, just to name a few.


If you do, what kind of profile picture do you use?


Do you use an image that reflects you, your style and maybe even connects you to your business in some way, or are you using a picture that your best friend took of you on vacation last year with her cell phone with sunglasses on top of your head and the margarita on the table cropped out?


If you are using something similar to the latter, you aren't alone.  Many people grab the nearest cell phone picture of themselves for their business page and post it without much thought.  Or, God forbid, they do the "hold-the-phone-in-front-of-themselves-while-sitting-in-the-driver's-seat-of-their-car-and-say-cheese" pose.


And then there is the "realtor" business headshot that we've all seen, yet no one really likes.  You know which one I mean... the one where everyone in the company looks exactly the same.  In an uncomfortable suit ("picture" day is the only day they actually wear one), and a blue background that closely resembles their second grader's school picture.

Kim was looking for a laid-back, casual and "current" set of images to represent her as a trustworthy realtor. 

There's a new option for professional head shots.  Well, it's not new, but it is gaining in popularity, mostly because of people are realizing the benefit of professional images of themselves not just for business cards and directories these days, but for websites, social media sites and internet profiles.  Professionals are starting to see the value in investing in imagery that helps showcase who they are, shows a connection to what it is that they do or specialize in.  Most of all, these images even show some personality!  Something that while forbidden in the past, today it can set you apart from your competitors.


If you use a "professional" image to support your efforts in various social media and marketing platforms, consider having MEP create imagery for you that can separate you from your competition.  

Cynthia needed images that conveyed to her audience that she is dynamic, trustworthy and a seasoned leader.  

Bill is a photographer AND an attorney.  We did some basic casual head shots for his LinkedIn profile, and then had some fun with some images connecting him to his passion, his camera. 

Heidi is a business coach and wanted to communicate that she is personable, competent and understands busy entrepreneurs on the go. 

With a few fashion minded shots thrown in.  

Dawn is an exceptional fashion stylist, and needed glamorous images to match her style. 

Jill speaks on faith and fashion.  What better scene than this (for the fashion part, anyway). 

Lindsay is an amazing singer with a local band called "Shelby's Voyage". This was a super fun session!

Tips for a successful "contemporary" professional session: 

1.  Male or female, consider using a fashion stylist to help you pull together your wardrobe for your shoot.  Julie and Dawn, both excellent at what they do, understand what types of clothing and looks work for photographs, and have made every single client look amazing.  Julie has a wealth of experience on the tailored corporate side, and Dawn has a fun and lighthearted approach to fashion that is always fun.  Typical cost:  $75/hour (typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours). 


2.  If you are going to invest in a professional session, a makeup artist is a must for women.  Simply a must.  Typical cost:  Approximately $100.  


3.  Choosing a photographer:  Be sure to work with someone who understands the importance of helping your personality shine through and who understands enough about social media and corporate marketing so that when it comes time to follow their creative lead, you can relax and trust that you'll end up with the right images.   Session rates:  $150 - $200


4.  Images on disk:  I have found that offering images on a disk meet the needs of most professional clients.  Typical cost is around $200 for a series of images to meet your needs with full copyright release.  

Use Your Ipad to Promote Your Photography Business | Maris Ehlers Photography

Trust me. I can find more reasons to justify getting the latest and greatest photography gear than most. Last fall, I wanted an  ipad in the worst way, but wasn't sure I could justify it. Until I went to David Ziser's 2010 Captured by the Light Tour, that is.

He gave several key reasons why photographers should be using an ipad:

• create a stunning easy to share digital portfolio of your best work 
• proof images with clients just about anywhere
• share images from a wedding AT the wedding reception

Basic Steps For Setting Up a Slideshow to Share at a Wedding Reception: 

Throughout the wedding day, as we fill up CF cards while shooting, my assistant backs the images up onto a Nexto hard drive. The images are safe on the Nexto, which is my first priority.

• When we take our first "break" during the reception (typically while dinner is being served) we plug in a camera to the ipad (typically my back up camera), and put the first card in.  (Note:  There is a camera to ipad adapter that comes with the ipad that is required to connect the two). 
• I whip through the images on the card, selecting my favorites on the ipad screen.
• We then upload them to the ipad. This only takes a few minutes.  
• Insert the next full card into camera and repeat.  
• Review what we've uploaded and delete anything that doesn't look great. 
• Press the slideshow button 
• We now have a slideshow (I do not add music) of the day's best pictures ready to set out for guests to enjoy.  

No bride or groom to be seen here, but the groom's mother, father, brother and sister-in-law are!

A few things to note:

• Your proofs will look great on the ipad's screen (even unedited)
• Don't expect the bride and/or groom to have the chance to see the slideshow.  That's just fine.  The parents of the bride and groom typically find their way over quickly, and the other guests will, too.  
• The people who do see the pictures will certainly tell the bride and groom after the wedding how they've never seen professional pictures AT the wedding before, and what couple doesn't want to be unique at their own wedding?  
• Be sure to ask if you can place a small stack of business cards near the ipad before doing so.  

I've had great success with follow up from clients who have been at a wedding where I ran an ipad slideshow, often from the guests whose own children are planning a wedding.

At one wedding, the father of the groom actually started walking around with the ipad showing people the images.  That made me nervous, but his delight in seeing the images while celebrating with his friends and family was priceless, and he still hasn't forgotten it.

Some other great ipad resources for photographers:

Ipad Workflow for Photographers
8 Great Ipad Apps for the Small Portrait Studio
How To Sort Images Using the Ipad
Viewing Google Analytic on an Ipad or Iphone

I'd love to hear if you are using an ipad, if you are thinking about it, or why not...

Happy Friday!

P.S.  If you liked this article, please feel free to share or link back.  Thank you!