Presenting a happy face makes such a difference.  A friend of mine has a saying “act as you would feel”.  In other words whatever you feel like on the inside, make sure you present a happy face on the outside.  It works – if you smile, the world smiles back at you.

It’s the same with your online image – a happy face is an approachable face and it encourages people to contact you and do business with you.

This is possibly why so many people choose holiday or wedding photographs for their online photographs.  The problem is that most of us need to project a professional image as well as an approachable one.  Such an informal setting often sends all the wrong signals – a bit like turning up for a business meeting in flip flops or a tuxedo.

Everyone’s personality is different, and not everyone’s photograph should be a broad grin.  It should, however, project confidence and optimism: the things we all need in our dealings with others.

So if your online image isn’t projecting a happy and professional face, seriously think about getting it changed and see world smiling back at you .

Your personality is just so you! Whether you are introvert, extrovert, bubbly, thoughtful, funny, serious or a dangerous mixture of all the above – your personality is what presents the inner you to the outer world. (more…)

How many times has someone pointed a camera at you and yelled “smile”! Or even worse – just pointed the camera at you? No wonder we develop a dislike of the camera. If the results are disappointing, or just not as good as they could be, we start to avoid the camera. (more…)

The power of an image cannot be underestimated. My business card has a picture of me on it, and it is effective for two reasons. Firstly, it stands out from the crowd and secondly it reminds people who I am. That might sound crazy as I normally hand across a business card personally, but that little reminder is worth such a lot. People buy from people, always have done and always will. And seeing my picture makes it a little easier to pick up the phone. (more…)

A short while I was likened to top Michelin Star chef Raymond Blanc. Now another one of my clients Caroline Eveleigh of Anatec is comparing me to the great artist Picasso

“WOW is that really me” and “Hey there miracle worker” are just 2 comments from happy female clients after recent portrait sittings with me.

What’s so special about these comments? Well I’m used to getting really great comments from my clients after a shoot but I expect to get hundreds more like this in the future because I have a new “secret weapon” that helps me make you ladies look even more beautiful.

What is this secret weapon I hear you ask? Well its a specially designed lighting reflector that’s used by all the top fashion photographers. I’ve now managed to get my hands on one – and its going to transform your look.

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Traditionally most of my work has been on location, i.e. at my clients premesis. As of today however I am offering all my clients the chance to come to me as I now have a great studio space here in Bracknell from which to work from.

The beauty of this is now my clients come to me and I can fit in more business portraits and professional headshots in a day. Especially at this time of year when lots of people are looking to update their profile pictures.

My special January offer is also quite tempting…..

Did my first formal presentation tonight on “What makes a good image?” to a group of fellow networkers. It’s really whetted my appetite to do more presentations and speaking engagements.

The only problem I had when putting the presentation together was finding enough bad images to make comparisons with! I found that even my bad images were good. I guess I’ll have to go out and take a few poorly composed and badly lit portraits so I have enough images to put together the next presentation. A difficult task when you strive for perfection all the time.

I used Apples Keynote for the first time to put the presentation together. Keynote is simple to use, but produces a very professional looking package.

Oh and a big thanks to my friend Tim Wyles who lent me the micro DVI to VGA cable, without which there would have been no presentation and a very disappointed audience.

Typed in “Business Portraits” yesterday just to see what was going on on the world of corporate photography and was looking down the list and hey presto guess who was at No 5 in the hit parade out of 7,240,00 results. Yes yours truly John Cassidy Photography.
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• Business people
• People in professional practice
• Website Designers
• Marketing Professionals
• Business Coaches
• Image Consultants
• Graphic Designers

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