Maurice Watts is the subject of todays ecademy photo profile critique

So the usual question, from visual first impressions is Maurice's profile image PPE (professional, personable and engaging) or FFF (fuzzy, faraway and forgetful)?

Don't forget to use my checklist as a reference and I'm always looking for volunteers and suggestions to critique, especially if you think the image is a particularly good or bad PPE or FFF example PPE.



First impressions with Maurices photo is its a bit too dark. It looks like it was taken with available light with just a hint of flash (reflected on the blinds behind) but this wasn't powerful enough to "lift the image" and add some much needed sparkle to those eyes.

There is some personality there and Maurice has a bit of a smile but I think he looks a bit too faraway in this photo for us to be able to see it clearly, mainly due to his stance.

Maurice is standing correctly i.e slightly three quarters on to camera, but it looks as if he is leaning back slightly or shying away from the camera. This is also noticeable with Maurice's head position. To make the image appear more engaging it's a good idea to lean slightly forward towards the camera and turning you furthest away ear (from the camera) slightly in, as is if you were listening intently to what someone was saying to you.

Composition wise I always like basic head and shoulders portraits to be square or upright shots, unless there's something interesting in the background or you need some white space to drop some graphics into. Wide (landscape) images like this have too much empty space.

I don't like the venetian blinds as a background, too many lines. If this was reshot with a longer focal length lens and Maurice wasn't standing as close to them so the blinds were defocused they wouldn't be as prominent.

Style wise Maurice really suits a bow tie although I think this image could have been taken prior to a black tie event. Black generally isn't a colour that photographs well so I'd have suggested a nice blue shirt and perhaps a dark grey jacket.

Overall its not a bad image but doesn't quite make the cut as far as my PPE criteria so its an FFF from me (although it is far better than Maurices previous web-cam profile photo)


Your comments please ...........

Previous critiques:


John Cassidy Photography
Capturing Personality & Inspiring Confidence

w: www.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
blog: blog.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
twitter: @john__cassidy
e: johncassidyphoto@mac.com
m: 07768 401009

Reeta Luthra Pindorai is the subject of todays ecademy photo profile critique

So the usual question, from visual first impressions is Reetas profile image PPE (professional, personable and engaging) or FFF (fuzzy, faraway and forgetful)?

Don't forget to use my checklist as a reference and I'm always looking for volunteers and suggestions to critique, especially if you think the image is a particularly good or bad PPE or FFF example PPE.



Reeta has just uploaded a new profile photo which struck my eye so I thought I'd give it a PPE or FFF critique.

First impressions are very good. Reeta has a great personable expression on her face with a nice natural smile and looks both confident and professional. I did think that this was a professionally taken photo because of the nice soft natural lighting but on closer inspection I'm not so sure.

The image is ever so slightly soft (focus) and lacks a little contrast. Also the image has been worked on in photoshop to remove the green background (still slightly visible around the edges of Reetas hair). Removing a background like this (by creating a clipping path) is a specialist job and is particularly difficult especially with people who have longer hair.

I do like the white background on this image though and understand why the coloured one was removed. Here the combination of dark jumper and dark hair really frame Reetas face. Being of slight build Reeta can get away with wearing a chunky jumper like this, anyone with a larger build should avoid them though.

Overall Reetas photo is PPE. If she was using this for other marketing and pr purposes it may be worth the investment in getting the background properly photoshopped


Your comments please ...........

Previous critiques:




John Cassidy Photography
Capturing Personality & Inspiring Confidence

w: www.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
blog: blog.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
twitter: @john__cassidy
e: johncassidyphoto@mac.com
m: 07768 401009

Mark Perl is the subject of todays ecademy photo profile critique

So the usual question, from visual first impressions is Marks profile image PPE (professional, personable and engaging) or FFF (fuzzy, faraway and forgetful)?

Don't forget to use my checklist as a reference and I'm always looking for volunteers and suggestions to critique, especially if you think the image is a particularly good or bad PPE or FFF example PPE.



First impressions with Marks photo is very professional looking. Its a good relaxed pose with a great natural smile. Capturing the right smile and expression can be more difficult than it sounds. Smiles don't want to look too forced or cheesy and also a big smile can cause some some people to squint too much so getting the balance right can be tricky. Here it is spot on.

The message Mark give in this photo is certainly professional personable and engaging. The corporate look really suits Mark and his profession well. I can see this image being used to publicise and promote him as a mentor, leader, trainer and public speaker.

Composition and pose are spot on and I like the lighting with the main light to Marks causing a soft shadow area on the right of his face which is nicely balanced nicely and adds a bit of depth to the image

It's difficult to find fault with this photo which is an excellent example of a PPE image.

Your comments please ...........

Previous critiques:




John Cassidy Photography
Capturing Personality & Inspiring Confidence

w: www.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
blog: blog.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
twitter: @john__cassidy
e: johncassidyphoto@mac.com
m: 07768 401009

Jolene Phillips is the subject of todays ecademy photo profile critique

So the usual question, from visual first impressions is Jolene's profile image PPE (professional, personable and engaging) or FFF (fuzzy, faraway and forgetful)?

Don't forget to use my checklist as a reference and I'm always looking for volunteers and suggestions to critique, especially if you think the image is a particularly good or bad PPE or FFF example PPE.



Jolene updated her profile photo this week and asked me for my thoughts. Her old photo was really a quick snap shot but did however show us her great personality.

Well personality wise her new photo still hits the spot, I'm slightly disappointed that she's lost those lovely curls but she did tell me they do come back from time to time. Technically this photo has been professionally taken with a fairly simple lighting setup although I think the background is a little too bright as her hair is slightly bleaching into it. I would have also ensured Jolenes hair was sitting slightly better over her left shoulder. Jolenes posture is perhaps a little too straight for me but I like the slight tilt of her head.

I know Jolene is wearing a red top because those are her companies brand colours but I'm not sure they're the right colours for her. I think they are a bit too bright for her skin but I'm sure LaRea Wilkins will be able tell us what would work best.

I do like Jolenes new profile photo and it does have the PPE factor. I would however have liked to have seen her in a slightly more relaxed pose.

PPE

Your comments please ...........

Previous critiques:


John Cassidy Photography
Capturing Personality & Inspiring Confidence

w: www.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
blog: blog.johncassidyphoto.co.uk
twitter: @john__cassidy
e: johncassidyphoto@mac.com
m: 07768 401009

One of the best networkers I know gets a new professional photograph of himself done every year.  Many people might consider that a little too often, but his strategy is smart and works well on many levels.

Firstly we change as the years go by.  Some people might say we age; I prefer to think we just get more mature and sophisticated.  Even the way we look at the world changes as we gain experience and knowledge.  Have a look at some photographs of yourself when you were younger – everything was new and exciting and you can see it in those photographs.

Secondly the world changes: fashions change, styles change, hairstyles change.  There are so many visual clues that tell other people this is an old photo.  They are visual faux pas that you would never make in person.

Lastly, your photograph needs to be you.  Really you.  Not you as you were 5 or 10 years ago.  When I meet you in person I should feel like I already know you after having seen your photograph, not wonder whether I’ve got the right person.  Honesty in online relationships is fundamental in getting real life relationships off to a good start.

As more and more relationships are formed online its important to make sure your image is fresh and current.  You wouldn’t wear a suit from 10 years ago, but many people post a photograph that’s much older.

Have a look at the photograph you use online.  Is it really you?  If it isn’t think about making sure your online image is ready for 2010.

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 .

Professionalism means different things to different people.  Indeed, it means different things according to the work you do.  One thing is for sure – its so, so obvious when it’s missing.  Lack of professionalism is like tripping over rubbish in the street or noticing a mark on someone’s suit.  It may be commonplace, but it does nothing to enhance your experience or better your day.

Working with professionals is always a joy, but finding them is not so easy.  David Maister, the consulting guru, says that professionalism is “believing passionately in what you do, never compromising your standards and values, and caring about your clients.”  That’s quite a lot to communicate quickly – either in person or online.

As more and more introductions are being made online its important to project a professional image right from the outset.  That doesn’t necessarily mean a suit and tie, but it does mean demonstrating that your work and your passion is important to you.

Why else would someone want to work with you?

A photograph is a great deal to communicate much about your professionalism.  Sure, there is more to be said – you have to prove that you know your business and are expert in your field, but your image is the unconscious reason for someone to read what you have to say.

A professional photograph is just that – a photograph with no “marks on suits” or careless “rubbish on the street”.  No distracting backgrounds or inappropriate dress that leaves a question mark in the reader’s mind.  A professional photograph lets the professional in you shine – whether you are a computer consultant, a graphic designer or a social worker.

Giving someone a glimpse of who you are and why you care is the first step in getting a new conversation started.

Photography is the passion behind my professionalism, now what’s the passion behind yours?

We have been digitized.  When the Prime Minister’s wife starts to Twitter, you know a revolution has not just started, but is already rolling.

Digital social and business networking brings many opportunities, not least the ability to stay and get in touch with so many more people.  People who would ordinarily fall out of your circle of acquaintances can now happily be included and incorporated into an extended network.  Which is great – we are all connected to more people than we used to be.

However, digital networking works best when it is given some thought and effort.  Thinking about your online presence pays handsomely.  I am always astonished at photographs cut from wedding snaps, images that are 20 years ago, or favourite skiing photos posted onto these sites.  I only hope that the people who post them give more thought to their physical presence.  Would they really turn up to a business meeting in ski pants?  I jest of course, but the underlying point is serious.  Make sure you have a good, professional and appropriate photograph of yourself.  Keep it up to date and reflective of the work you want to do.

Embrace change, don’t push it away.  Digital networking is truly a phenomenon that has swept individuals, professionals, companies and non-profit organisations off their feet.   Manage it proactively so that produces positive results for you.

Make sure the digital image of you that jumps off the digital page is the best you ever: if it doesn’t come and see me and let’s get digital!

Very often the first picture people see of you is the profile photo on your website, blog or social networking profile. So its vital it makes the right first impression.

In preparation for a new daily blog I’ll be starting next week on ecademy I have posted this checklist to ensure your image is working for you:

Is it in focus?

Is the light flattering?

Is the composition pleasing?

Is the background distracting?

Is it up to date?

Can you clearly see the face?

Is it personable?

Does it give the right impression?

Does it look like you?

Does it match your brand image?

Is a quick snap shot taken by a colleague in the office?

Are you using an old holiday/wedding photo?

Has it been taken on your mobile phone?

Do you look approachable?

Is the image engaging?

Would you trust this person?

Would you connect to this person on a social networking site?

Would you do business with this person?

If the answer to any of these is “no” then perhaps you need to speak to a professional photographer experienced in photographing peoples profile images.

If you’re serious about growing your business you should be promoting yourself online and part of the digital networking phenomenon. You should have a presence on some if not all of these sites – ecademy, Linked-in, Facebook & Twitter as well as contributing to blogs and forums.  Your headshot is your digital signature and it’s vital that you have considered what an integral part it is of your brand.  Here are my tips for making sure you make an impact with your headshot.

• Ensure your picture is current.  Clothing trends and styles of photography vary frequently (not to mention you ageing!) so make sure your picture is not dated.  A successful person would have the resources to ensure this happens.
• Be consistent.  Your audience needs to trust you and using the same headshot each time you issue a newsletter or press release will help to imprint your image into memory.  An image with you looking straight ahead will give the illusion of eye contact and help to build trust.
• Appropriateness.  Do you need to portray different images to different audiences?  The previous point stresses you must be consistent but depending on the “hats” you wear it might be appropriate for you to have a small portfolio of headshots that you use to convey different messages to different audiences.
• What  Colour should you wear?  It’s a headshot but it’s likely that some of your outfit will show.  I recommend that you wear a bold colour rather than just a neutral.  Wearing a brighter colour will convey confidence to your audience.  Picking a colour the same colour as your eyes can look fabulous.
• What style?  If possible choose a top with a collar that way even if you choose a headshot that is cropped right in you will see some of the colour of the outfit to frame your face.
• Accessories?  Choose with care.  High fashion earrings and necklaces can quickly date a photograph so choose classic styles and you don’t want anything that diverts attention away from the connection that people make with the picture when they look at your eyes.  I’d tend to avoid scarves too as unless you have a very long slender neck they can tend to emphasise a double chin.
• Grooming?  Plan a haircut close to your shoot.  Ladies consider investing in a blowdry before the shoot.  With any luck hundreds, if not thousands of people should see this picture online, in your PR, or even on your business card.  If you don’t know what you are doing seek make-up advice.  Successful women take pride in themselves and have the time for proper grooming.  On average women who wear make-up get paid 23% more than those who don’t because they give the impression of attention to detail and pride.  Do however aim for a neutral professional look that says “I made an effort but not a fuss”
• Leading lines?  If your headshot is going to show a little more of your body then consider leading lines.  Wearing a jacket in a contrasting colour to your top will be like drawing a line up towards your face and lead eyes there.