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On April 27th we held a Headshot with a differenece event here in Dorset.  And I really enjoyed it.  Cake, shopping, networking and headshots what more could you want! I drank enough tea to sink a small ship and loved catching up with lots of mummies who I haven't seen in a while and to as always meet some new people.  It still amazes me 2 years on how each event attracts a new person or two (in this case 3!)  While organising this event I was asked a lot 'why do I need a headshot' ... so here is a fabby article (pinched from my blog Joanne Dewberry) by the awesome ianH Photography who took all our headshoots. 

"Headshots have long been important for actors, distributed to promote themselves to casting directors, and usually taken by professional photographers. They started out as black and white 10” x 8” images showing the actor or actress without makeup and their statistics and resume printed on the back. They show the casting director how the actor really looks and gives them an idea of their character so that they can narrow down their choices for auditions.

Models use headshots on their compliments cards and are more like beauty shots, designed to be flattering or artistic. A close up headshot is often required to show a model’s skin complexion for beauty work.

Until recently, business headshots were limited to very formal images of company executives for company reports, smartly dressed and trying to strike imposing poses in the boardroom. They were used to put forward a professional image of the people actually running the business, so that investors could put a face to the name. These days, many companies are moving towards images that are more relaxed and not so “stuffy”.

What do these different types of headshots have in common? The link is that the photographs give people you’ve never met an idea of who you are, and that’s vitally important for business people in today’s environment, where so much commerce is done with people we’ve never even met. It’s said that first impressions count, and it’s very true …… if you go for a job interview or an initial meeting with a client you’ll make sure that you’re smartly dressed and create the best possible impression. You also need to make that impression when you have an eBusiness, because people buy from people, and having a good photograph on your website makes your business more personal. Just as important, people will be able to relate to you better if they know what you look like. How many times have you spoken to people on the phone and formed this mental image of what they look like, and then been totally caught out at a networking event when you’re introduced for the first time?

In today’s society we have profile pictures on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and numerous other places, and whilst for your personal Facebook profile it’s fine to have a shot of you on the beach or skiing, for your business profile you need something that’s more professional yet shows your character, so that people feel they can trust you.

Next time I’ll give you some tips about what makes a good headshot, but in the meantime, if you would like some photographs for your website or social networking profiles, please get in touch on 07575 567408 or email ian@ianH.co.uk

Ian Hamilton is a professional portrait and wedding photographer based in Dorset. Contact Ian now for children’s and family portraits, headshots and wedding photography. "

Images Joanne Dewberry, Sarah Gifford and Annie Brooks 

Guest blog from Beth Goodrham  www.bethgoodrham.com  ** www.styleguile.blogspot.com

Summer is here, or nearly here.  The weather is warming up and the layers of winter clothes are slowly being removed to reveal - what?  Well, if we are lucky, our worse problem is our lack of colour.  The feet could probably do with a pedicure and a bit of waxing might be in order but once those things have been dealt with hopefully we can step out of our front door without feeling too much like Shrek.  However that’s just the underneath part – what about our clothes?

Our wardrobes say a lot about us.  As Mother’s, our children will almost certainly come first, whilst our own needs are relegated way down the list.  We may feel that we do not justify spending any time on ourselves or that even if we did, we wouldn’t know where to start with our wardrobes.  Whilst our children’s clothes may not be expensive, I am fairly certain that they will be sporting some new attire this summer. 

What about your own wardrobe?  Does it contain a few random ill fitting T-shirts (possibly your husband’s cast offs) some not too flattering loose and baggy shorts (because they are comfortable) and some flip flops which scrub up OK if they are put in the dishwasher with the dinner plates?  If so, don’t despair.  Most of us operate within some sort of confines – largely related to time – and revert to a “uniform”.  It takes the hassle out of deciding what goes with what, what’s trendy and what’s not and whether something might make us look as mutton dressed as lamb.

So, here is my quick check list of items to update your stay at home wardrobe in an instant, working from the bottom up: