I was inspired yesterday by a fellow blogger/photographers post regarding going in front of the lens to have her own portrait done. So I thought I'd share a little pet peeve of mine that I talk about in my workshops for photographers.
Why don't photographers put a picture of themselves on their own website? Seriously!
We who are people photographers are dependent on people valuing... photography. We ask them to hire us and pay us money to take their pictures. We want them to buy prints from us to display in their homes, offices, purses and wallets. It is implied by the very nature of our jobs as photographers that we value the power of pictures. So what does it say to a potential client who goes to your website, looks on your about or bio page and finds no picture of the photographer?
What they find instead is a bunch a text about the photographer or the studio. They may even see a picture... of somebody the photographer has photographed. Cute as that person and their adorable little kid is, it's still not the photographer.
I don't get it. I really don't. Okay, I understand all of the "reasons" we can come up with to not get this done... "I don't have anybody to take MY picture", "I'm a photographer. I'm more comfortable behind the camera instead of in front of it", "I'm trying to lose weight first"... really?
So here's the three reasons I think it is really, really important for photographers to have their own picture on their website:
1. We believe in photography. We don't just love taking pictures, we understand why pictures are important for people in their lives. Because of that, we lead by example and show potential clients what we want them to do.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words... literally. You can have all the text in the world on your bio page but if you put your picture on there, you let potential clients get to know you. They are going to take that first step towards feeling like they know you. As portrait and wedding photographers, an important part of our success is building relationships with clients and potential clients. They need to trust us and they start that process with the information they get about us... and a picture tells them a whole bunch about who this person is on this anonymous website they've just navigated to.
3. We need to understand how our clients feel in front of the camera. We're no more perfect than they are in terms of how we feel about ourselves and they need to see us putting ourselves out there like we are asking them to do. That way, you can honestly say you know how they feel when it comes time to overcoming objections to why now isn't a good time to get their pictures done.
So there you have it! Photographers, go find a photographer friend to do your business portrait for you. If you don't have a photographer friend, go find one. Look up some photographers in your area and call or email them and propose a portrait session swap to do each others portraits. Don't wait until you're the perfect weight or feel great about your hair, skin, smile, nose, butt, thighs... whatever! It will never be the perfect time....
I take that back. NOW is the perfect time... go get it done and let your personality shine through!!
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