How to Achieve the Best Family Real Estate Agent Headshot

Fiona Santos | HRG Real Estate Agent  http://fionasellshomes.com/

Buying a new home is an exciting milestone for a family, but it also brings its own challenges and concerns. In order to make the right choices and a practical investment, families are on the lookout for a real estate agent they can trust.

An ideal real estate agent is one that has a natural charisma and can speak easily with any family member. A real estate agent must also be aware of the budget and unique needs of a family. It is best if a real estate is intuitive, a good listener, and sympathetic to what their client is seeking for their family.

Clients who have families are unlikely to be impressed by just an email address or an online post. A client who has a family to care for and house wants to feel positively about their real estate agent. Furthermore, the client will want the real estate agent to be comfortable speaking to the eldest family member as well as the youngest. A high-quality, professional headshot will ensure a client feels their family is safe in your hands. Your headshot, which will highlight your qualities as a skilled and approachable real estate agent, will bring you to the top of their list of people to speak to and work with.

A headshot taken in a studio with a professional photographer will bring legitimacy to your public image. It shows that you care about your presentation and are invested in working with the best in order to serve your clients and their families. A real estate agent in front of a tasteful backdrop will outshine those who try to get by with a quick snap taken by a friend. It is best to avoid a cluttered background in a public place. This suggests that you are not serious about your business and don’t take the proper care to set up the right environment.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your real estate headshot session:

Khurel Bud | Real Estate Agent | https://www.khurel.com/

• Even though you are in a studio, you can bring your brightest self! Choosing a sunny color palette for your clothing (whites, yellows, blues, etc.) can help to remind families that you will provide them with a new home and a future as their real estate agent.

• Smile with your eyes — this conveys you can show warmth to every age group in a family, including children! Plus, it shows that you are a real estate that enjoys helping people.

• Remember to demonstrate open, inviting body language. You will likely be engaging with the entire family, and you don’t want anyone feeling left out!

• Opt for more loose, casual hairstyle that was still professional. This will put children and overworked parents at ease. You will send the message that you are a real estate agent that understands a hectic schedule, and is down-to-earth, yet businesslike. This is a difficult but important image to achieve, and it is best left to the skilled hands of a trained makeup artist.

With these steps, your headshot will be what families picture when they pursue a real estate agent to work and build a professional relationship with!  

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

Headshots for Luxury Real Estate Agents

A luxury real estate agent headshot on a website or business card is your clients’ first impression of you.  They look to you as a representative of the lifestyles that you can provide them. You will be expected to carry yourself with poise, and to be an iconic example of elegance.

McGuire Real Estate | Raymond Ho | http://raymondhosf.com/ © 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

What is most important is that you polish your personal brand. Ensure this with the perfect real estate headshot, which will be used for your business cards, your webpage’s “About Me” section, and your LinkedIn. This will make you much easier to find on the Internet, as well as highly recognizable and memorable. You will be the first step to buying a property before a client even opens a door, so you must be prepared to always impress. You walk a fine line: you must be sophisticated in order to dazzle a client, but also approachable in order to encourage a solid business relationship.

Since clients will be prepared to make a large investment on a property that exceeds what many can afford, they expect someone who exudes success and business acumen. In order to never be confused with an amateur, avoid images taken on an iPhone or any other low-quality device, which will negatively impact your brand.

Similarly, refrain from relying upon images that are either over 2 years old, or that include drastic changes in your appearance. Clients will be confused if they do not recognize you when they meet you in person, and will likely bring their business elsewhere. If you are intelligent about investing in a professionally taken real estate headshot, your media presence will be a profitable asset.

When you take self-presentation seriously with your real estate headshot, you will have a real advantage over your competition. By appearing charismatic, self-assured, well-dressed, and well-groomed, you will give a client the sense that you are highly experienced. Appearing appropriately stylish and well-to-do will earn their respect. They will get the sense that you regularly sell luxury real estate and have created a prosperous business

Here are some tips for your luxury real estate headshot:

McGuire Real Estate | Angelica Santamaria | http://angelicasantamariasf.com/ © 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

• Choose solid colors and prints, as they convey professionalism and directness. Patterns that are too “busy” can be distracting, and can detract from the refinement you’re selling.

• For women, consider a jewel-toned blouse in a flattering color. The subtle splash of vibrance will distinguish you, yet will still remain appropriate with the right business attire. For men, pay attention to which business suit-cut is on trend. Clients are likely to avoid someone with an outdated suit, which suggest an inability to keep up with the times.

• Opt for one upscale accessory in your headshot: a luxury watch or a classic necklace. This will show that you have a profitable business that you are secure about. Too many adornments suggest you are desperate to prove yourself.
 

Also remember to:

• Work with a skilled hair and makeup artist for your headshot in order to showcase your best self. It is advisable to have smoothed (not tousled or heavily styled) hair, which implies a commitment to professionalism.

• Maintain a friendly but assertive demeanor. Focus on looking attentive to a client needs, yet relaxed.
 

• Have 2-3 additional headshots prepared in addition to your primary real estate headshot. These will add variety to your potential publications and blog posts, as well as keep your social media content “fresh” and attractive to clients.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

5 Clothing No-no's For Your Business Headshot

Business headshot is now dubbed the new handshake as it is the first introduction of your business to the audience. Business Headshot can make a big impact for your business and choosing the right outfit determines how the portraits turn out. It doesn’t have to be a difficult thing to do as the easiest way of knowing what to wear is by knowing what not wear on your business headshot. 

Avoid logos and branding

The business headshot is seen by your current and future employees, customers, colleagues and investors. Having one with logos and branding makes it look awkward and unprofessional. Make your business headshot look friendly and approachable by wear plain colored professional clothes to make people focus their attention on your headshot but not the logo or branding.

Distraction in a sexy way

Your headshot is not a fashion show. Stay away from showing too much cleavage and tight fitting outfits. Your goal should be looking attractive and approachable, not as sexy as possible. Make sure your clothes are fitting but comfortable, not too tight and not too baggy. Make sure you can’t see through them and become overexposed.

Avoid clothes with patterns or stripes

Clothes with polka dots, busy floral, plaid or stripes do not look professional on a business headshot. Wear clothes without any distractions and those that suggest professionalism. Stay completely away from patterns or stripes since they tend to dominate the image more than your face should.  

Faded, wrinkled clothes with holes and stains

In a headshot, faded, wrinkled clothes with holes and stains should be avoided. Your headshot reflects your professionalism and this type of clothes shows you don’t take care of yourself, your career or your business seriously. 

Avoid too much jewelry

Simplicity is the key to a professional looking business headshot. The focus on your headshot should be solely on you, not the distracting jewelry. Too much jewelry is a no-go. If you need to put on jewelry, you know what looks best on you, pick colors that compliment your skin tone and those that bring out your eye color. 

Of course, you want to look your best in your business headshot. Wear what compliments your body type and if possible, bring two or three clothe option for your headshot session. Let your headshot show your character, highlight your personality and project your professionalism for who you are.

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212

Professional Headshots for Therapists and Life Coaches

Our lives are full of everyday challenges. When it come to navigating relationship with friends and loved ones, our careers, and the emotional events and feelings that are part of being human, our friends (as wonderful and supportive as they may be), can’t always give us the objective advice and support that we need on a regular basis. Also, sometimes we may not feel comfortable sharing our true feelings with people we know, for fear of being rejected or judged.

Luckily, there is a group of professionals who have the power to help us with compassion, objectivity and honesty. They are psychologist, family therapists and life coaches! 

Any time we search for a  professional, we usually start by using Google or a social media platform. Whether we realize it or not, our decision to contact or not contact a certain professional hinges on the first impression that their headshot makes on us.  

© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

If you are a mental health care professional, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Does your headshot radiate approachability and friendliness?

We all want to talk to someone who is friendly, approachable, and easy to talk to! While in real life you may be all of those things, if your photo is too serious, too formal, or your body language is closed off, you may be turning off potential clients. Whereas people may respond to a more serious photo when choosing a lawyer or financial advisor, when choosing a mental health professional, a friendly, confident, and kind headshot is the way to go.

• Is your look current and well put together?

Dated headshots with out of style hair, makeup, and clothing can turn off potential clients as well. It may sound superficial, but clients want to see that you are up to date on the goings on of today’s world. If your headshot is from 5 or more years ago, potential clients may worry that you won’t understand the finer points of their modern lives. Your look shouldn’t be “trendy”, but it should be well fitted, classic, and stylish.

• Is your headshot taken by a professional photographer?

If your headshot was taken by a friend, family member, or amature photographer, potential clients may subconsciously think of your work as amature as well. Having your headshot taken by a skilled photographer who is experienced with headshot photography for professionals in your field, sends the message that you are a professional who invests time and energy into his or her craft. Remember, a great photographer will be able to capture the essence of who you are and what makes you great at what you do! With a great headshot, potential clients will feel like they know you already.

How to prepare for your HEADSHOT SESSION

Hiring a professional photographer for your headshots or portraits is a wise investment, and one that you want to get the most out of! Good preparation will ensure a smooth and efficient experience with images of you looking your absolute best. Here are some of the most frequent questions that clients ask me, and some of my tips for preparing for your next photoshoot:

Valentina Sadiul Headshots in San Francisco Bay Area

What clothing should I bring to my photoshoot?

Bring more options than you need. If you are planning on using 2 looks, bring 4 or 5 choices so you and your photographer can choose the best ones. If you are wearing a suit, bring a few shirt and tie options so you can create a few different looks. 

First and foremost, all outfits should fit you well and make you feel powerful, attractive, and well put together! Avoid outfits that are too baggy or too tight, and make sure that everything is neat, clean, and pressed. Make sure your shoes are shined and match your outfits, as your photographer may take full-length shots. Check your outfits for holes or tears and try on anything that hasn't been worn in a while to make sure it still fits you the way you like.

Choose colors that make you feel your best! If you always get compliments when you wear green because it brings out the green in your eyes, bring green! If wearing a red dress makes you feel powerful and beautiful, bring your red dress! Solid pieces in dark colors or jewel tones generally photograph very well and compliment most skin tones and coloring, but feel free to have fun with bright colors and subtle patterns and textures as well. Large, loud patterns can be distracting, so choose pieces that don't compete with you for attention. Ladies, bring tops, skirts, and dresses with different necklines and different silhouettes. 

Is there anything else I should bring?

Ladies, bring your make-up with you in case you need to do any touch-ups. Have your lipstick, hairbrush, and a few bobbypins close by for fast fixes! If you do not feel confident with your make-up skills, consider hiring a make-up artist. Men, bring hair product and a comb and have them close by as well. 

What questions should I ask myself or others before the shoot?

If you are going to be taking photos for your website, poster, business card, advertisement, or anything else specific, think about what what you want that to look like and what orientations you need. If your website needs landscape oriented shots, you want your photographer to know that so you get the shots you need. What is the color scheme of your website or poster? Do you want a specific colored background to compliment that? If you are working with a website designer, agent, or publicist, ask them to be specific about any preferences or requests that they might have.

Most importantly, make sure you arrive at your shoot well rested and ready to let loose and have fun! 

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Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212