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Business Card Photo from a Long, Long Time Ago?

Posted by Richard Robibero on October 9, 2015
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Business Card Photos
So I just completed a photo shoot recently as I needed new pictures for my business cards, signs, website, and all my social media platforms. Basically everything. So why am I doing this? Why now?

About a month ago I went in to a listing appointment that I received on account of one of my mailouts. I knocked on the door and when the person answered they weren’t sure who I was at first. It was only when I handed her my business card that she realized who I was and said those dreaded words every Realtor hates to hear… “Is that you?”.

I used to tease my fellow real estate agents for using a picture from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It was sometimes a ten year old picture and in other cases twenty! I would always tell them to accept their appearance because they look good (I’m always positive) and they won’t shock their clients and other Realtors if using a current photo. The reasons for using an old picture were always the same. “There are too many print materials to change”, “my picture is everywhere”, “I can’t be bothered”.

Slowly and without realizing it I became that guy! My picture was taken when I was 33 and because I always looked a bit older than my age I thought it would be fine for a couple of years. A couple become four, then six, and now seven. I have a few more wrinkles and I shave my head because it looks “cool” and not because my hair was thinning *wink wink*. Shaving my head was actually traumatizing at first but now I love it and so does my wife. But I digress. It was now more important than ever to update my photo and everything else that goes along with it.

You’ve decided to update your photo? Awesome. Here’s some advice.

 

The Clothes

You’ll want a few outfits that fit right and compliment you. You have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing because if you’re not the photos will reflect that. Feel free to go all business or business casual but I can’t stress that your marketing material should reflect you as a person.

 

The Poses

Experiment with the actual poses but be sure to take the good old fashioned standbys (arms folded) just in case those other poses don’t pan out. Personally I would stay away from cheesy poses like talking on the phone. What? You are so busy making deals you can’t spare one hour for pictures? For my competitors, please take pictures with you talking on the phone. It looks amazing!

 

The Photographer

Use a good photographer. If you’re taking your headshots at the same place you buy your milk you might not be happy with the results. My photographer was a rock star (not literally) and had music “pumping” in the background, wasn’t acting totally serious, basically made me feel comfortable right from the outset.

 
The results? Well I’m not done yet as I have to go through 200 pictures and find the three or four that I like best. It’s excruciatingly tedious but I think it will be fun to refresh my marketing materials… if I could only find those good shots! Hopefully by the time you read this everything will be done and no more “Back to the Future” business cards for me.

 

If you’re looking for a model call someone else. If you need an experienced Realtor looking out for your best interests when either buying or selling your home then call Richard Robibero at 416-277-8025.

 

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