In today’s professional environment, when someone walks into a meeting, conference, or sits down for a video call, chances are they have already been seen by the person with whom they’re meeting. It’s not uncommon for people to check the profile of attendees on LinkedIn or a company website. They may have also seen a photograph on a conference speaker page, news article, or pitch deck. Viewing a person’s image before a meeting can create familiarity, make identification easier in crowded spaces, and even set expectations.
A professional’s public-facing identity and image can make an impact and relay an unspoken message before a one-on-one interaction happens.
Hollywood Figured This Out Long Ago In Hollywood, actors historically have had to show more than just their talent to land acting gigs. They had to provide a headshot, resume, reel (short clips of their acting), a biography, and often be represented through an agent or manager if it wasn’t an open call.
They’ve had to submit so much information before auditions because casting directors often make decisions about actors before ever meeting them. A headshot is more than simply a photograph. It can be a quick visual introduction...