When was the last time you updated the profile picture on your social media account? Has it been a few years? Do you even know how long ago it was?
You should update your profile picture once a year. It should match how you currently look. Have you changed your hair color, are you seeing more gray hairs, maybe even losing your hair, gained or lost weight, or grown a beard? These reasons and more are why you should try to update your profile picture annually.
Free Headshot Events
The challenge is, not updating it with a selfie or matching the quality of that one photo you like from years ago. This is why HashtagMKE has been offering free headshot events twice a year since April 2018. We work with a different photographer each time and now offer them every June and December of the year.
Miss out on an event, we have another one coming up in six months. Don’t like how your headshot turns out? That’s okay, we can try again with a new photographer in six months.
Over the years we’ve worked with Martin Moore, Andrew Feller Photography, Media Bolt Productions, Alternative Bride Photography, Natalie Sanchez Media, and Jayce Hindman.
Our next Free Headshots networking event is on Thursday, June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Barrel Yard Taproom inside American Family Field with photos by Breanna Taylor of Teens Grow Greens.
5 Tips to Improve Your Profile Picture
The average person doesn’t hire a professional photographer for a photo shoot, let alone to update their headshots. If you want to get the most out of your experience, there are a few things you can do to improve your results.
1. Attire
What do you wear for an average day at work? That works well for what to wear for your headshot. If your personal brand is more casual, then aim to match the style you present in your content.
Make your morning even easier by setting aside your outfit the night before (plus, you’ll find out if you need to do a quick load of laundry).
2a. Hair
Hair is a big part of how much you’ll like your headshot. Avoid getting your haircut the day of or the day before. Aim for at least a week out so you can style it to how it normally looks.
During the warmer months, getting your haircut a week out helps you avoid those awkward tan lines from shorter cuts.
2b. Facial Hair
If you prefer the clean-shaven look, avoid a fresh shave right before your photo session. Do so the night before (or first thing in the morning if your photo is being taken in the evening). If you shave too close to the time of the photo, your skin could look irritated and show some redness. If you’re rushed, even worse, you could end up with a minor nick or two.
3. Hydrate
You can improve the way your skin looks simply by drinking water. If you’re not consistently hydrating, then start now or at least a few days before you take your headshot photo. If you don’t currently drink much water, add in more cups each day starting a week out from getting your headshot taken.
Consider using a facial cleanser and moisturizer, especially if you normally have dry skin.
4. Sleep
Make sure to get your usual amount of sleep the night before getting your picture taken. You don’t want to look more tired than usual for a photo you hope to last for the next year.
5. Teeth
Check a mirror and make sure there’s nothing stuck in your teeth, hopefully, the photographer will point it out, but better safe than sorry.
Now, you don’t have to admit your dental hygiene habits, but if you happen to be a less frequent brusher and flosser – pick up your frequency at least a week out. Flossing for the first time in weeks (or months) on the day of your photoshoot will irritate your gums, likely cause them to bleed, and appear puffy.
You may want to avoid coffee for a few days. Anything that may stain your teeth. If you whiten your teeth, consider how many days you’ll need to reach your desired results.
Beyond these tips, go into the session with a positive attitude and have fun with it. That energy will come through in your photos and make it something you’re proud to replace that previous favorite photo with!
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