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Further advice from George...
... when you're having your headshot taken, be sure not to wear one of those "punch me in the mouth" smiles, where you look way too smug.
Mark, can I ask, did John take yours?
Photography
Congratulations Mark on stressing the importance of how you look being almost as important as what you say. This isn't the accountancy profession's strong suit.
Whilst I agree with practically everything you say above - as usual - what I would add is that it's important your business head shot, is just that; big enough to see your face.
Twitter's a good example where a half body portrait, such as the one in your posting above simply doesn't allow you the space to make out any detail of the subject's face.
TrevorPalin@btopenworld took my picture that I use on Twitter: @clivebooth. Another favourite photographer that I use as often as possible for client's shoots is [email protected]
It's worth a professional accountant spending half a day every three years with a professional photographer to make the best of what they have and refresh the visuals used on your website, pitches, credentials documents and company literature.
Surroundings matter too
Where is the best place for an accountant to have their photo taken? In the office? Outside the office building? By a sign or other feature advertising your business? In a studio with a blue background?
For a simple head and shoulders shot this is obviously less important, but many photos are taken from a wider angle, especially if you don't use a professional photographer.
I'm no expert, but I would say take great care about what is IN your photo, especially if it's in the office. For example, do you want your laptop in the frame with you? What is on the wall behind you? Is your desk looking too clean or too cluttered?
Surprisingly, the article did not mention clothes. Most accountants would intuitively wear a suit and tie for their photo, but is that necessarily the best choice? Or would perhaps smart casual be better?
Depends on the kind of clients you want to attract I guess. Most internet savvy people tend to be less formal in their attire than old-school types, and probably prefer an accountant that looks like them, whether they are aware of it or not.
For those sort of people, who are after all our target market these days, you want an image that shows professionalism without being too stuffy. Personally I think a big friendly smile makes all the difference.
I wouldn't necessarily agree that you should go to a professional photographer though. I think most people these days are capable of taking a half decent photo, especially with a good digital camera. You just need to bear in mind the points in this article.
Comparing tax returns with photos was a bit disingenuous I think. They're not exactly the same thing are they? You generally decide whether to do something yourself or give someone else the job according to 5 things:
a) your own abilities,
b) how much you can afford to pay,
c) the time it takes (and how much it is worth to you)
d) the extra quality a professional would bring; and
e) the need for that extra quality to achieve the results you want.
You don't get someone else to do the work just to keep photographers (or tax advisors) in a job. Or as some sort of mutual understanding not to queer each others pitch.
As it happens, many people now are quite capable of doing their own tax returns, especially since on-line filing came in. With the information now available on the internet plus modern technology, I guess there's a trend in all areas now for people to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on experts.
From a Woman's Point of View...
Us girls have to obey all the rules in the posts above plus more - not to look like some sort of sexual temptress, not to reveal large busty bits or acres of bare arms (or come to think of it bare anything else!). It seems a lot of younger women don't accept these caveats any longer, and I think I might have to see if I can revive the Women's Lib organisation to make the point that we are so much more than sexual objects. Having to convince other women of this is truly depressing.
I have yet to see a serious business man wanting to reveal his hairy chest or thrust other bits of his anatomy into the limelight when posing for a business photo.