I have a confession.  I have been using an old business headshot of me across my social media platforms, I mean really quite old…. more than 10 years, because it was the only ‘professional’ picture of me that I liked.

And it was not even a studio shot. It was a press shot that I happened to like and I did not have a high resolution version of it either so I have not been able to use it in leaflets or fliers.

My reluctance at having some new shots done comes, I suppose, from a slight lack of confidence about my looks now I have reached a certain age (50 plus let’s leave it there). However, I have been thinking for quite a long time that I need to get something done and have looked at various local photographers. Some offer a full ‘make-over’ package but I wasn’t sure that would show the ‘real’ me. I remember being made up in a Mauritian beauty parlour by four or five very excited young ladies for my wedding.  By the time I came out I was a definite shade of orange with lots of eye make-up and I hardly recognised myself in my wedding video – but that’s another story.

Suffice to say I wasn’t going down that route.  A couple of weeks ago I met Carol Bailey at a networking event and we hit it off and swapped business cards. I said I was interested in having some head shots done.

The Professional Headshot Experience

I checked out her website www.carolbaileyphotography.co.uk and I could see Carol was very talented and creative despite only being in business full time for a year or so. We made arrangements to meet up at her home studio, which is very accessible off the A5 near Cannock and Wolverhampton, although she can come to your home or office with her portable studio.

Carol immediately put me at my ease and after a friendly chat and a cup of tea whilst she set the lighting up, Carol began to take lots of test shots for my business headshot with different lighting and camera angles. She let me into the secrets of how to stand, how to tilt my head to get the best possible shots and it got easier as I became more relaxed. I was pleasantly surprised at what a great range of good shots were coming out, utilising a couple of different jackets and backgrounds.

Accessing the Images

One of the great things about having your head shots done with Carol is that for a whole year afterwards you get access to your shots via a log-in to her web-based client gallery.  She edits 8 – 12 of the best shots and then also lets you have all the others so if there are some that you like you can have those edited as well.  All shots available as both high and low resolution (you need the latter for digital applications like websites and social media). Some photographers charge nothing for a photoshoot then they want a lot of money for high resolution pictures after the shoot. Everything is very upfront and honest with Carol.

The Three P’s

All in all the experience was actually quite enjoyable, no doubt because of Carol’s three P’s – her patience, personality and professionalism and I would definitely recommend www.carolbaileyphotography.co.uk to photograph all your business images and family occasions. My images are now on my webpage and social media platforms.

Costs are £75.00 for the headshot session at the studio or on location or just £125.00 for three staff members and a team shot.