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.

 That’s why professional headshots are so important. Whether it’s creating a strong avatar for your social media profiles or putting a face to your name for potential clients or employers, a headshot can give you the extra push you need to score that job or secure that client for your business.

 You want to look professional.

The saying “You only get one chance at a first impression” is famous for a reason—it’s absolutely true! And no matter how experienced or qualified you are for a position, if you don’t appear professional, your chances of getting your dream job automatically decrease.

 If you’re trying to promote your own business, a professional headshot can keep people on your site long enough to make a purchase or sign up for your services. When it comes to your website, you have a very limited amount of time to make a strong enough first impression to intrigue potential clients, so you have to impress!

 You’ll use it EVERYWHERE.

Think you don’t have use for a headshot? Think again. If you’re promoting your own business, you’ll need a headshot for every place you post content or information online. That includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media, as well as your own website and blog and any sites where you contribute as a guest. People want to put a face to a name, and if you’re promoting yourself or your company, you want that face to look professional and skilled in your field.

 You want to tell a story.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect position or seeking clients for your business, your headshot is the quickest way to tell the story of who you are and what you can do. A professional photographer can help your expertise and personality shine through your images. They’ll also help you choose a location that suits your field and the look you desire for your personal brand.

You want to make a strong introduction.

Any potential employer or client will check you out online before contacting you, so you want to represent yourself as intelligent, dedicated, and skilled. But you also want to be approachable, so it’s important to give prospects an idea of your personality and make sure you’re more than just a name in their eyes.

 A professional headshot can help you do all these things and will serve as your introduction to everyone in your field, from potential clients to business partners to employers. To keep that introduction positive, you need a headshot that shows off how polished and professional you are. If you go with a selfie or a blurry cropped group photo, what impression does that give? If you don’t care about the impression you create, why would other people care about working with you?

 You care about investing in your future.

Professional headshots are a financial investment, but they’re also an advancement in your career or business. Not only do they make you look good to prospects, but a high-quality headshot can also give you confidence in your own abilities. Prospects will see you as strong and well put-together, and you can start to see yourself that way as well!

 When it comes to furthering your career or promoting your business, professional headshots are definitely worth the cost! They offer a major return on your investment by helping you to get clients, land your dream job, or help you find new professional opportunities.