Professional headshots are definitely an investment, both financially and for your professional career, but they’re well worth it! A high-quality headshot can help you make a great first impression, whether you’re applying for a job or promoting your own business. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your professional headshots.

When everyone has a camera on their cell phone—and often a pretty decent one—it can be easy to think you don’t need professional photos for anything and certainly not for your headshots. Can’t a friend just snap a good picture of you with their iPhone in Portrait Mode?

Professional headshots are all about communicating with your audience. It is essential that your look matches what you want your image to convey. I suggest looking professional yet approachable, as well as trustworthy and intelligent. That may seem like a lot to fit into one photo, but a big part of your headshot is the wardrobe. Take a few minutes to think about all of the things that make up your personal brand and what you want others to take away from a glance at your profile.

You’ve taken the leap and booked your headshot session! You want to create professional images that reflect your skills, intelligence, and personal brand. But how do you prepare? Don’t worry! I’ve put together this quick guide to help you feel ready to go on the day of your session!

Does your headshot need an update? Your professional headshot should reflect your intelligence, your expertise, and your approachability. It should also be regularly updated so you’re not reusing an image that’s a decade old. If you need a new headshot image for your career, check out these five things you can do to get images that you—and any potential employers—will love.

Between TV and movies, the internet, and social media like Instagram and Snapchat, we live in an incredibly visual world. Images are an essential part of both our personal and professional lives, especially if you’re trying to create branding for your career or your own business.