A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about the importance of headshots on PR Daily and all I could think was, “PREACH!”

The tl;dr version of the article is that someone did not have a professional picture available, and the media chose the most unflattering image they could find on Google.

Occasionally, we will need a headshot of a client to accompany a press release or for a presentation. I will request one from a client, and I cannot tell you how many times I have received a selfie, an image that is clearly 10 years old, or one that is cropped out of another image in return. Or my personal least favorite response to a headshot request: “There’s a picture of me on my Facebook you can use.”

No. No, there isn’t.

I have mentioned in previous blogs that one area you don’t want to skimp on is photography. Having a professional (current) headshot available will not only save you the embarrassment of having pictures from that one night broadcast on the news, but will also give your PR team peace of mind knowing one is available at the media’s request. Additionally, a professional headshot comes in handy when you’re giving a presentation or speech and the organization wants to include a picture with your bio in its materials.

Spend the money on the headshot, and let it pay you back in spades (or lack of embarrassment).

Account director Nadia Zerka has her headshot taken every year by company photographer Tiffannie Bond. Did you know Imagine offers headshots as a photography service?