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I’ve been in the corporate world a better part of 2 decades. Almost 3. I have met thousands of people over this time and have shook thousands of hands in my lifetime. That sure has changed in 2020. Covid19 has made us change the way we do business, the way we go about our day to day, the way we meet new people.

The handshake has always been the way you greet one another in both the corporate world and the way you meet friends and new acquaintances. It doesn’t matter if your male or female a handshake can tell a lot about a person. Confidence, trust, energy, determination. How do you feel when somebody gives you a nice firm handshake? You might not notice anything or maybe you can sense the person has an energy that is inviting about them. If you don’t notice a firm handshake you sure do notice a weak one. That person that comes up to you and gives you that wimpy intimidated handshake. When that happens to me, I get a sense of intimidation, lack of motivation, a feeling like the person does not have a lot of confidence in the situation. I’m trying to teach my kids to always greet somebody with a good strong handshake. A handshake that will show the person confidence even in situations when they are not.

Today we don’t greet people the way we used to. Most of us don’t even go into the office anymore for now. Hopefully that time comes back but for now our days are full of org charts, company directories, zoom calls, social media profiles, LinkedIn updates, websites, email signatures, etc. If you are like most people you have a picture of yourself setup in these different systems. A headshot! Social media is the best example. Who doesn’t have a headshot in their profile picture on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn?

Your Headshot Has Become Your New Handshake?

What is your headshot saying about you? A headshot is even a stronger representation of you as a person then your handshake. Your headshot could literally be seen by millions of people. You better have a headshot that gets people’s attention. Did you know that a good profile picture will get you 14 times the number of likes and more than 35 times the amount of interactions then a profile without?

So why do so many people have bad headshots in their social media profiles, corporate directories, signatures, etc. Some of the worse headshots I have seen are of CEO’s.

What makes a bad headshot or a bad digital handshake? Here are a few things to prevent.

1. A picture taken with your phone. Yes, phone cameras are 100 times better than they were even just a few years ago but pictures still look like they were taken with your phone.
2. Pictures taken with garbage in the background. Anything that is not a solid color. No it’s not a good idea to have your picture taken by your favorite car, on the beach, or at some party. This is your first impression you want to make to somebody. I think not.
3. A picture where the camera is higher than your eyes. Sure, it makes you look skinnier but when do you feel more powerful? When you are looking down on somebody or the other person is looking down on you? When you are looking down on somebody right? A headshot needs to show how powerful and confident you are. It’s hard to get that feeling when the camera angle looks taller than you are.
4. Big eyes. Confidence comes from the eyes. So why do you look like a deer in headlights? You look scared, not confident at all, and you look funny. You should not see the whites of the bottom of your eyes.
5. Clothing and backgrounds that don’t look professional. Stick with solid colors for both your clothing and your backgrounds.
6. For heaven sakes please don’t drop your shoulders. People at some point thought this would look cool. I don’t think I ever liked that look. I have a martial arts background. You know what you do when somebody drops their shoulder? You punch them in the face. Enough said.
7. A smile that looks fake. 90% of headshots I see look like the smile is forced. It looks like the person was told to smile. You need a smile that is authentic. A smile because the photographer made you laugh at something. Fake smiles look fake, look forced, and makes you look like somebody that was forced to smile because your not a nice person.

Here are just a few tips on what I feel makes a great headshot. That makes a strong digital handshake. A headshot that shows confidence, capability, intelligence, sex appeal, and most important Trust!

1. Take the picture with shoulders square or directly at the camera. You look the most powerful head-on. As soon as you turn your shoulders you look like a smaller person or not as strong.
2. Take the picture slightly lower than your mouth. This will give the appearance to the person looking at the picture that you are confident, capable, and trustworthy.
3. You don’t need to smile and if the smile does not look authentic I would recommend against it. But you do need to make sure you don’t have the deer in headlights look. You want eyes that show confidence so make your eyes slightly squinch like you are unstoppable and you are going to but through that wall in front of you.
4. Don’t wear any crazy prints. Solid colors are the best.
5. Don’t wear crazy jewelry. Don’t wear any jewelry if you have to question it. The focus is your face not the fancy jewelry.
6. Use a Grey, White, or Black background. Nothing else.

Well I hope these tips help. Don’t let an opportunity pass you up or a connection pass by with having a bad profile picture. This includes your corporate directory. In a global world most people will only get to know you by your headshot so make it a strong one.

I have been a professional headshot photographer since 2016. I have been a professional photographer since 2002. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. If you are interested in a professional headshot for you or your organization, I take headshots in studio or on location any place in the world. Visit https://2mmheadshots.com I take headshots that are authentic and show the personality of a person. I make professionals look like professionals and show Trust, Intelligence, Determination, Credibility, and Likeability. Headshots that get you noticed!

Of course actual executives should have high-end executive headshots.

Get headshots that rock for your board of directors and leadership.

What message are you sending to potential clients with a hodgepodge of headshots?

After group headshots, take advantage of discounts for new hires to keep your branding on point.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Local Photographer Joins Nationwide Effort to Create 10,000 Complimentary Headshots

Professional Headshots to Help America Get Back to Work

2mm Studio / Peter Szpakowski Photography to Produce Headshots for

Locally Unemployed on July 22 at Brookfield Properties in Fort Worth Texas 

(Dallas, Texas – July 11, 2020) – Nothing says “I’m ready to work” more than a freshly pressed suit, an updated resume, and of course, a professional headshot. Regardless of profession, COVID-19 sent millions of Americans to the unemployment line without warning. That is why local photographer 2mm Studio / Peter Szpakowski Photography is participating with Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties in the largest, single-day photo initiative that will provide 10,000 unemployed Americans nationwide with a complimentary, professional headshot to include with their resumes and post to job sites such as LinkedIn.

Peter Szpakowski will be producing the complimentary headshots on Wednesday, July 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Brookfield Property located at Hulen Mall, 4800 S Hulen Street, Fort Worth, TX 76132. Complimentary headshots are open to anyone currently unemployed, but participants are asked to visit HeadshotBooker.com for details and schedule a time to be photographed. More than 200 photographers will participate across all 50 states, creating pop-up studios at nearly every Brookfield retail location nationwide. Headshots will be provided to participants on site through event photo sharing platform SpotMyPhotos.

“Our community, like so many others, was hit hard by COVID-19 and we were looking for ways to help our neighbors get back on their feet, I too was impacted by corporate layoffs last month and the number one question I get now when people visit my LinkedIn is how did I get such an awesome headshot.  Well now it’s time for others to get the same quality of headshots I have.” said Peter Szpakowski who noted that, according to LinkedIn, people who include headshots receive 21 times more profile views and 9 times more ‘connection’ requests. “We heard about what Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties were doing across the country and wanted to be a part of it. We are excited and grateful to be able to contribute to such a great initiative.”

10,000 Headshots is the brainchild of Tony Taafe, who co-founded Headshot Booker with renowned portrait photographer, Peter Hurley and national event photographer, Lauren Lieberman. Taafe recalled the struggles his dad had with unemployment and the impact it had on his entire family. “I know firsthand that the effects of unemployment extend well beyond an individual,” he explains. “My dad was the hardest working person I ever met. He was in construction so the work wasn’t consistent and he had almost zero job security. “Unemployment impacts everyone and everything associated with that person,” Taafe continued.

“Headshot Booker is in a unique position to provide out-of-work Americans with an important element of the job search process – a great, professional headshot. And thanks to our partners who share a similar vision, we will be able to help thousands of unemployed Americans put their best foot forward and help them get back to work.”

“We are proud and excited to host the 10,000 Headshots initiative across our portfolio,” said Brookfield Properties Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Snyder. “As we continue to welcome guests back to our centers, we are grateful for this opportunity to help the members of our communities that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.” Snyder emphasized that safety for all participants is a core focus, and each photographer will follow specific protocols to ensure safe distancing and hygiene practices throughout the day.

The base price for a high quality, professional headshot starts around $250, which equates to more than $2.5 million in collective services these photographers will provide through this initiative.

In addition to Headshot Booker, Brookfield Properties, and SpotMyPhotos, additional support is provided by Canon USA,Tether Tools, and PhotoFlashDrive.

Peter Szpakowski is a Headshot Photographer based out of Dallas Texas and Detroit Michigan. He started photography back in 2002 when his bodybuilding career came to an end but still wanted to be involved in the sport. He found photography was his next passion. Having been in the sport he was able to quickly adapt to knowing what a Bodybuilder would look for and how they would look their best. After taking professional bodybuilding pictures in such events as The Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic and The Mr. Olympia Peter Szpakowski happened to stumble across world premier headshot photographer Peter Hurley on TV and met him a few days later in Detroit.  Peter Szpakowski’s new passion for Corporate Headshots and Individual Headshots were born.  He has been a student of Peter Hurleys for the past 5 years.

Media Contact:

Peter Szpakowski
2mm Studio

214-810-5580

pete@2mmstudiospro.com

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