Upon completion of your real estate course and certification, the task of creating your marketing plan is on the horizon. A professional business portrait of yourself should be a key element of your marketing plan. This is called “Self Branding.” You are now marketing yourself and services to your current and your desired audience. Why not seek a professional photographer to help create a portrait that depicts why people should trust you over someone else in a competitive market?

A professional business portrait can separate you from the masses. During your business portrait session as well as during image selection phase, careful attention is needed to analyze what this image ultimately conveys about you.

Unfortunately not all business portraits and business headshots are created equally.
Onsite “Cattle call sessions” are hit and miss and often times result in a negative experience. We have heard from our clients that have been through an experience of an onsite “cattle call” or the company just going with the cheapest person for the photography job, and the results of either is often times less than desirable. Save yourself time and patience and hire a professional photographer who specializes in portraiture. You have earned your credentials and now is the time to invest in yourself by demanding quality professional photography that speaks volumes about you.

Here are a few common amateur business pictures shortcomings, and what to look for:

• Harsh or flat lighting
• Improper posing, which can add weight to the person in the image
• Busy backgrounds that distract from the subject
• Clothing not adjusted
• Digital retouching is non-existent or overpowering

Michael Carr Photography is a commercial portrait photography studio in the Galleria /Tanglewood area that has served the greater Houston business community for 21 years. We are Certified Professional Photographers (CPP) with Professional Photographers of America (PPA), a national organization. We have a relationship with a nearby hair and makeup studio: Sensia Studio, which makes coordinating these services with your business portrait session a streamlined process. To view our business portrait gallery, visit www.michaelcarr.photography. To schedule your business session call the studio at 713-461-2862.