The John Cassidy Headshots blog

Why a smile is your best business tool

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on December 13, 2011 — Leave a Comment
You may think your profile photo isn't high up on your priority list when it comes to new business generation but I'd say it's one of the most crucial aspects of your marketing strategy.

First impressions count and as more of us use social networking and online communities to build and form business relationships, people are making their minds up about who we are based on our profiles, and especially the headshot we use.

So it should make sense therefore that you do everything in your power to give potential clients no excuses for not stopping and taking a longer look at your profile to find out more about you and your area of expertise.

The easiest way to do this is to smile. Smiles are infectious, you only have to walk down the street and smile at someone and they will smile back at you. A smile really "lights people up" and it's not just me saying that. Recent research from Reading University proves that its in your genes to look longer at happy faces. This can give you a huge advantage by having your image imprinted in mind for a longer period which will make you more easily recognised and remembered in the long term.

So whose profile photo made you smile today?


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Success in my hands…

Written by John Cassidy on June 10, 2011 — Leave a Comment

I recently photographed an very inspirational chap called Richard Cook who has a condition called congential dysmelia. He says it has no meaning to him now so just says he was born with ‘short arms’. Richard contacted me as he wanted some photographs to illustrate a book he is writing called “Success in my hands, being Rich” the book is about his journey to find his own peace and freedom. Generously he is donating some of the proceeds to the Help for Heroes charity

He was such a remarkable guy to photograph and I asked if he’d be kind enough to write me a couple of paragraphs about what these photographs mean to him.

Richard – “They say a picture tells a story. This one tells mine. For many years I used my hands as a means to avoid and hide from others in certain social situations. I somehow felt embarrased and anxious of what people might say. I grew up in one way feeling afraid to show off a part of me that that now is part of the whole. The picure perhaps shows how at times I would put my hands over my face, frustration you may say. Frustrated because I just wanted to find a way to obtain my own peace. I finally found it some 25 to 30 years later, having experienced, anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Highly likely from my early years as a child. Yet as I grew up I knew that I would find my own answer. I kept going for some reason I knew I could do it. Now with some four years behind me re training to think differently about the difference I have. I have found my way forward. Feeling free and at peace. Feeling in control of myself at last and feeling happier with the hands I have.

Richard Cook

Frustration

The photo for me now shows that I can show off a part of me that I love, yet cheekily peer through and watch what others are looking at. I now know that the look from others is of curiosity, something different, questions might be: how does he do the things he does? what’s his life been like.? Interesting! I say now with a smile :) The image portrays that we are unique in our own way. The uniqueness that have I feel proud now to express and show off”

We salute you

I’d like to thank Richard for being a hero and allowing me to use these photos together with his words on my blog. His book is due out later this year and will be available on Amazon. Richards own blog is http://www.successinmyhands.co.uk/wordpress/


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Green Shoots of Recovery…

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on May 31, 2011 — Leave a Comment
I managed to get back out on my mountain bike this weekend for the first time since the devastating fires that raged over 200 hectares of Swinley Forest a few weeks ago. The trails where we normally go to ride were mostly unaffected but, curious to see for myself, I ventured further over towards Crowthorne where a lot of the damage had been done.

What surprised me most was the way that new ferns and wild grasses had already started to grow back, poking through the blackened earth. It was an encouraging sight to see with obvious relevance to the recent economical climate and reflected in my own personal circumstances.

As some of you know my wife Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer last August and since then has undergone a long course of chemo and radiotherapy. Fortunately she had her last radiotherapy session last week so now she can fully recover and get back to normal, knowing our lives won't be ruled by hospital appointments and long uncomfortable periods suffering the various side effects these treatment have. The most obvious, from an onlookers point of view, is her hair slowly but surely starting to grow back too.

Needless to say we've experienced many tough emotions during this period, both as a family and as individuals but like to think we've all come out of it with positive thoughts for the future.

Nature is a wonderful thing, lets hope we can follow suit and all prosper out of adversity.

Here are a couple pics from my iPhone of the recovery at Swinley Forest (Helen said she'd rather wait till she's got a bit more coverage before I show her shoots of recovery...)





Posted in Community

Hannah Liversidge PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on March 1, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Hannah Liversidge is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Hannah The question is, from first visual impressions is Hannahs ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres a handy checklist that I use as a reference guide when critiquing photos. Hannahs photo is nice and clear, having being taken with what looks like available light from a window to her left (look at the reflection in her eye). The light is being nicely bounced back on her right, presumably from a close by white or light coloured wall. The photo has being taken with a widish aperture which has defocussed the background but not so much as the objects hanging from the top right of the frame are still slightly distracting. Hannah has fantastic green eyes and her hair colouring is great. I would have asked her to wear some bolder colours such as green to enhance her eyes even more. The pink looks blouse makes her look slightly washed out and could do with a saturation boost (easily done in photoshop). I would have made sure her blouse was a bit tidier too, a necklace would have broken up the fairly large area of skin around her neck Looking as Hannahs expression I'd say she looks a little on the shy side and is holding something back. Probably because the photographer was higher then Hannah when this photo was taken resulting in her chin appearing lower than normal. A little lift of the chin and some more encouragement by the photographer would have brought out more personality Overall is a good clear profile photo so I'm giving it a PPE, It could however be tidied up a little here and there Your comments please... Perhaps you'd like to volunteer your image?
Posted in Community, Profile Critique | Tagged

Phillip Khan-Panni PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 18, 2011 — Leave a Comment
I'd like to thank Phillip Khan-Panni who is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued.   The question is, from first visual impressions is Phillips ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres a handy checklist that I use as a reference guide when critiquing photos. Philip has a nice profile photo with a warm natural expression and shows a hint of his personality. He has chosen to be photographed in front of some books, which is great as it gives us a little more info about what he does, after all words are Phillips domain. Unfortunately though the camera has focussed more on the books in the background than it has on Phillip, resulting in his face being a bit out of focus. I think this has been slightly corrected using the unsharp mask in photoshop however it is just a bit too far gone for it to be recoverable. And, because of the sharper background, the shelf has become more distracting. The focus issue on Phillips face is not as noticeable when viewed small, as on his profile, but would really show up if this was reproduced any bigger. and would look poor in print. I did a similar shot when I photographed Anthony Madigan but I stood him away from the books and de-focussed the background so they were there but less distracting. I think you can also clearly see how much Phillips face is out of focus by comparison. I like the colouring that Phillip has chosen to wear, the blue shirt really suits him. Overall I have to say its a nice photo but the focussing issue make it an FFF for me. Your comments please... Perhaps you'd like to volunteer your image?
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Steve Hall PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 15, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Steve Hall PPE or FFF? Steve Hall is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Steve The question is, from first visual impressions is Steves ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres a handy checklist that I use as a reference guide when critiquing photos. This photo looks like it was taken on a foggy day. It wasn't, it's just the vignetting effect of it being faded in from the edges but its a bit too severe for me. It was probably done to focus attention to Steves face and away from the distracting background (or away from the glasses on the table), but my eye is more drawn to the back of his hand as the light here is brighter than that on his face. Steves eyes are a bit on the dark side, particularly his left one which is in deeper shadow due to the main light is coming in from his right. Steve expression is very pleasant and natural and he looks like he is taking a genuine interest in you, almost as is he was listening to what you were saying and the tilted angle of his head is engaging and draws you in. The overall quality of Steves photo has always made it look a bit old to me (i.e. taken some time ago) and this was confirmed when I met Steve last year and at first didn't recognise him. Quite a few people use older photos for a various number of reasons (vanity, can't be bothered, don't have a recent one etc) but unfortunately this does send out the wrong message, particularly when you meet the person in real life. I recommend a shelf life of between 18 months and 2 years. Sorry Steve but this ones FFF for me. I'd like to see a more recent photo of you. Perhaps one from your epic bike ride helping to raise awareness for the world's 45 million refugees? Your comments please... Perhaps you'd like to volunteer your image?
Posted in Community, Profile Critique | Tagged

Marce Colucci PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 10, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Marce Colucci is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Marce The question is, from first visual impressions is Marce's ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres a handy checklist that I use as a reference guide when critiquing photos. Marce has used a simple headshot on his profile which is very effective. Technically it looks to have been taken with natural available light against a neutral background which is not too distracting. It's a good crop although I would have liked to have seen more of an upright version, showing slightly more jacket and shirt. Marce's eyes could be lightened very slightly too. I like the fact that Marce is not wearing a tie which makes him look very open and approachable. I find that a lot of my clients are opting not to wear a tie theses days as business dress becomes slightly less formal. More importantly I think people should be thinking about the colours they wear as this can help bring out their personality. Marce has a naturally warm expression on his face which to me says trust and confidence. PPE, overall a really great profile photo which ticks all the boxes.
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Brendon Mitchell PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 8, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Brendon Mitchell is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Brendon. The question is, from first visual impressions is Brendons ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres my checklist that you can use as a reference guide when selecting a profile photo. A professionally taken photo I presume, judging by the fact its been taken with a fairly long focal length lens that has blurred both the background and the foreground, concentrating the focus on Brendons face. Unfortunately the buttonhole flower gives away the fact that this photo has been taken at a wedding (your wedding perhaps Brandon?) which I do have problems with, especially when used on a professional business profile. These photos are part of your personal brand and should be thought about as such. I know lots of people don't really think about their photo and often throw up the nearest one to hand, hence one of the reasons I started these blogs, to get people to think about their personal brand image and the message is portrays. Brendon is not alone in using a wedding photo, I know of a business coach on LinkedIn whose profile photo shows her in her wedding dress, veil flowing freely in the wind. Would she turn up to a business meeting wearing that? I don't think so. Yes it would get her remembered, but for all the wrong reasons. No denying it is a great photo of Brendon which captures the mood of the special day, but for me a big no no for business use. I would advise Brendon to recall this moment and the feelings of this day when he is next having a headshot photo taken as it is a great expression that has being captured and sums up a great personality. FFF for me, nice photo but not for professional business use. Your comments please... Or perhaps you'd like to volunteer your image?
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Trevor Dyster PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 7, 2011 — Leave a Comment
I continue my series of profile critiques with Trevor Dyster who is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Trevor. The question is, from first visual impressions is Trevors ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres my checklist that you can use as a reference guide when selecting a profile photo. Trevor has used a snap shot to upload as his profile photo and a when I say snap shot I mean "a quick snap shot" without too much thought on the composition. First of all the horizon is badly sloping from right to left (I thought the sea was supposed to be level on the horizon). Secondly Trevor is slap bang in the centre of the frame with far too much open space around him. A profile photo is supposed to be more of a close up shot focussed on the face. Unfortunately Trevors face is very small in the frame (even more noticeable when reproduced on Trevors ecademy profile) which leaves us struggling to see any of his features at all. The photo is a little dark on Trevors face too, probably an exposure problem when the photo was taken as the camera metering has taken the sky into consideration causing the photo to be underexposed. Trevor sums up his profile as "Critical Assurance" so when looking at his photo you need to be assured that you are in a safe pair of hands. If this photo was lightened, cropped upright and the horizon centered it would just about be acceptable. As it stands it's FFF for me Your comments please... Or perhaps you'd like to volunteer your image?
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Sally Asling PPE or FFF?

Written by John Cassidy's blog at Ecademy on February 3, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Sally Asling is todays volunteer to have their profile photo critiqued. Thank you Sally The question is, from first visual impressions is Sallys ecademy profile photo PPE (Professional, Personable and Engaging) or FFF (Fuzzy, Faraway and Forgetful)? Heres my checklist that you can use as a reference guide when selecting a profile photo. Sallys photo immediately grabs your attention for all the right reasons. It has being taken with a long focal length lens and a wide aperture which has blurred the background, nicely concentrating the focus on Sallys eyes, exactly where it should be. The lighting is soft and natural and there are no distracting shadows, the angle is very complementary too. I love Sally expression, it's almost a slightly cheeky look and those nice big eyes really hold your attention. Her smile is naturally warm and welcoming and doesn't seem forced at all. In fact she looks very comfortable in front of the camera. The only thing I would have done different would be to have used a big reflector to push some additional light into her eyes which would have given them a little more sparkle. Also the crop on this photo is a little long too as Sallys eyes are just out of the area we call the golden mean which, compositionally speaking, is where the main point of focus should be. Sallys image perfectly matches the caring and spiritual aspect of her but maybe a little too soft for a letting agent? It could easily be sharpened up though just by doing a little bit of "power dressing" Otherwise a really great example of a PPE profile photo Your comments please...
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