SABRINA CASAS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTISTIC VISION
AUTHOR PROFILE
Emilio Castro
In my role at the studio, as the Studio Manager, I take pride in keeping the logistics of our work running smoothly for our clients from first contact to delivery. I like to think that our customer service is second to none.
Of course, having been married to Sabrina for over +25 years, I truly enjoy her every achievement as she creates beautiful work for our clients and her own projects.
I have a background in Accounting & Business Management and have worked in the Oil & Gas industry for over 17 years leading supply chain teams in international and domestic markets. I achieved the Lean Bronze Certification during my time at Halliburton and later discovered the benefit of Scrum and Agile Project Management when working for BP. I am a fan of continuous improvement and enjoy leading diverse teams of every kind while working for those large companies.
I'm also a self-taught web developer and coder, a Certified Remote Pilot (I fly our drones), and a self-published fantasy author, among many other small feats and accidents.
AUTHOR
SUMMARY & CONTENTS
Here is another quick reading on why hiring a professional photographer makes a big difference for you. Finding a good photographer who takes the time to hone their skills makes a huge difference in how your headshot and branding images work and, ultimately, how they translate into career progression or new business.
INTRODUCTION
We live in a highly digitalized and online society. Everyone has a phone, everyone has access to a computer, and everyone participates in some sort of social media platform. Everyone has a camera on their phone. Most people know how to use a few filters and can probably take a decent selfie. So, what is going to make YOU stand out in the job marketplace?
I like how Chris Whooley put it towards the end of his article 5 Tips For the Perfect Profile for LinkedIn: "If you are like most of Linkedin's 300 million active users, you'll likely want to invest in a professional photo for Linkedin."
We have the opportunity to meet Chris during his workshop at the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston this year. Highlighy recommended.
I will focus on two key reasons to hire a professional, but, like in any other field, there is more than supports the value provided by the expertise and focus a pro brings to the table.
EXPERIENCE
Experience: The one word that makes a world of difference in the field of professional photography -and in any other highly competitive field. It is just because of our uniqueness as human beings. Each person is different; there are not two of us alike. Our unique features, gestures, and attitude come together in a portrait, and because of that, it is really important that your photographer understands how to deal with the specific treats that make you, you.
Besides the training and technical skills necessary to use a camera (and all the other gear you will see around a professional studio), the time photographers spend working with their clients develops the photographer's eye to understand what type of tools, or techniques, will work better for you based on factors like your body type, your face features, hair styling, skin tone, and skin texture.
Additionally to that, the experience that comes with working with people who are at different points in their careers, some just out of college and some progressing towards their final position before retiring, creates in the photographer a sense of what types of business portraits work best for specific industries and certain jobs.
A photographer's job is to introduce you to your audience, to those who will see you through your headshot as the professional you are.
Also important, as a photographer who actively participates in photographic competitions at multiple levels, including local contests at the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston to the ultimate International Photographic Competition, Sabrina brings to the table honed skills tested by the top professionals on the field.
CONSISTENCY
Consistency: In his book "Iditarod Leadership. Unleashing The Power of The Team," Chris Fuller puts together an excellent quote: "Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong."
And that is precisely the essence of what consistency means for us as professional photographers. Anyone can put together a webpage with a few decent shots, but it takes a professional to deliver consistent quality for every client regardless of who they are or how they look.
It takes a professional to deliver consistent quality.
When you choose to work with a pro, you are working with someone who can help you plan the details to create a unique and authentic headshot and even a set of professional images if that is what you need.
PERSONAL BRANDING
Personal Branding: A business portrait is about your branding. That truth applies regardless of your field and the type of company or clients you work for. While many job descriptions sound like cookie-cutter material, the reality is that you approach your job with your set of skills and talents, a combination of hard and soft skills, and the necessary relationships and networking that you develop with colleagues, supervisors, direct reports, vendors, and clients.
The longer you stay in a particular industry, the more you develop a specific way to resolve the work challenges on your way, and, together with that, you create a reputation that carries to your network.
How does all that relate to your headshot? It is as simple as this: Once you find a photographer you like and who delivers, stick with them.
You will need a new headshot each three to five years. The more you work with your photographer, the better they know you and the better your images get from shoot to shoot, helping you develop your brand and build up your reputation. After all, a picture says more than a thousand words.
PERFECT LINKEDIN PICTURE
Your headshot, as your profile photo on LinkedIn, is one of the core elements of your marketing, and many times your headshot is the very first impression that a recruiter will see of who you are. It is a smart investment to tap into the skills of a professional photographer to make a strong first impression and give yourself a head start over your competition.
LinkedIn research shows that a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others. That alone should give you an excellent reason to consider having a professional headshot regardless of your current job-hunting status. The best time to build your network and prepare for the next step in your career is when you have a solid job.
MORE
As always, feel free to explore the pages below to learn more about Sabrina's work on professional headshots, business portraits, and personal branding sessions, or call us at the studio (281.665.3868) for a friendly chat over the phone.
And here are follow a few blogs and articles we like from the internet, enjoy!
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Issue #017
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