Your Professional Head-shot

Your professional head-shot is very important for the web first impression, your work portfolio, your book that is being published or as part of a business group. Recently I have had the pleasure of working with many professionals who wanted to update and improve their website and hired me to help with the pictures. I have put together a list of questions and answers about what your photo-shoot should be like:

What should I wear at the photo-shoot? Wear simple colors that compliment your skin. Avoid large patters or complicated fabrics that can distract the viewer. Some people ask me whether they should wear a suit or a shirt…the answer is always: whatever you usually wear when you meet your clients…something that you love, that makes you feel confident and prepared for a business meeting.

Should I be smiling or be serious? It depends on the type of business you are in and how you want your clients to perceive you. I encourage my clients to be themselves in front of the camera, and during the photo-shoot I ask them questions and try to get them to relax and be pleasantly engaged. We take a lot of pictures and pick the best together. Ultimately when you post your picture and biography you want your future clients to find out who you are, what you stand for and how you are going to treat them. If you smile a lot then your head-shot should reflect that. It should be a good representation for the person that is going to shake their hand when they walk into your office.

Should I have my hair and make-up professionally done? This is a delicate matter because the camera usually diminishes make-up by 40%. If you wear make-up on a regular basis then you should have it done a bit more intensely than usual for the photo-shoot. Since I was trained to do make-up for the camera a lot of my clients choose to hire me to take care of that. And for the hair I think that having it freshly washed and styled (even at your favorite salon that usually cuts your hair) goes very far in giving you that extra bit of confidence to be in front of the camera. After all, your picture should ideally be taken in a good hair day

Should I take the picture in a studio, outdoors or in my office?

The type of business you are in makes a difference in how I would answer this question. Natural light is very complimenting to skin tones and when used right it can reveal your best facial features. I also think a head-shot taken outdoor can portray you as friendly and approachable. A studio head-shot can appear very formal but that might be exactly what you’re looking for especially if you are a beauty product supplier for instance. You should not have your head-shot taken at your office unless you are looking for a biographical portrait- where you are being portrait in your work environment. I recommend a biographical portrait when it is important to you to present your product, your brand or the location in which you work.

Ultimately, keep in mind that your head-shot is supposed to encourage anyone to contact you, do business with you. It is supposed to be inviting and friendly.

I had the pleasure of photographing the stunning Ellen Stebbins recently! What a beautiful lady inside and out)!

To find out more about her and her beautiful business visit:http://ellenstebbins.com/

To learn more about Diana Deaver, please visit her site at www.dianadeaver.com and www.dianadeaverweddings.com. I highly recommend her work!!!! She is a pleasure to work with!

Timeless Wisdom……….

http://www.greatquotesmovie.com/

Did you know that where you are today is a reflection of your daily habits? Every move you make either moves you closer to your life’s ultimate design or it moves you away from your life’s ultimate design.

This is where setting goals comes into play.

It’s funny because for a number of years, I thought I was creating awesome goals but after going through Life Coach training, I realized that all I was creating was a “to do” list. And the more I “accomplished”, the more I thought I was progressing in the direction of my goals. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

In this post I want to provide you with the basics of setting clearly defined goals that move you toward the life you have designed for yourself.

Your Goals Should Be SMART
Specific – determine exactly what you want
Measurable – they move you forward
Attainable – achievable but make you stretch
Realistic – don’t set yourself up for failure
Timely – date specific

You Should Set
Short-term goals(daily and weekly)
Mid-term goals(monthly and quarterly)
Long-term goals(1, 2, 5 years)

How to Set Goals
Ultimately, you want to set a total of 3 big goals each week. And each of these goals will have at least 3 actions steps. When you do this consistently week after week, you will move yourself forward in ways you can’t imagine.
Goal: What is the ultimate outcome

Obstacle: What is stopping you

Date: Set the date you want to achieve this goal

Action Step 1: What 1st step can you take to overcome the obstacle and achieve your goal.
Action Step 2: What 2nd step can you take to overcome the obstacle and achieve your goal.
Action Step 3: What 3rd step can you take to overcome the obstacle and achieve your goal.

When you evaluate your goals each week, you should ask yourself the following questions:
1) Is there anything I’d like to improve or do better?
2) Is there anything I learned that can help me reach any of my goals?
3) What went well this past week?
4) What made me happiest?
5) Did anything during the week make me unhappy or didn’t go as well for me as I had hoped?

Some final tips on goal setting:

• Be clear on goals
• Organize into an action plan.
• Take action.
• Resolve to do something every day to move your business forward.
• Plan every day.
• Apply 80/20 rule to everything.

And remember that at the heart of all this is a dream – the WHY that will keep you going. Are you willing to pay the price for success? Nothing great comes for free. Desire, discipline and drive has to come from within.

You need to determine what you want, decide what you are willing to sacrifice/reschedule, associate with people that will help you get what you want , have a plan of action and WORK the plan.

Remember that small goals achieved repeatedly add up to big dreams fulfilled. Take the time to clearly define where you are going in your journey. Where will YOU be this time next year?
Remember to leave your comments and share with others!

Ellen

You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you. ~ Barbara Sher

Joy is not in things; it is in us. ~Richard Wagner

Welcome The Rain Movie

The Charleston Qivana Team Presents

An Evening with Dr. Marcus Laux….

Resolutions or Results?

Melt Away Body Fat Naturally and Forever

Learn about a Clinically Proven System that will

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

7pm

Marriott Hotel, 170 Lockwood Blvd, Charleston, SC

The marketplace is flooded with nutritional companies and products.

Why has Dr. Laux chosen to partner with Qivana?

Join Qivana CFO, Devin Glazier and The Charleston Qivana Team to find out why……..

Dr. Marcus Laux

Dr. Marcus Laux is a world-renown licensed naturopathic physician who earned his doctorate at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. He has been clinically trained in acupuncture, homeopathy, physical medicine, among other healing modalities. With 15 years of private family practice in Beverly Hills and Malibu, Dr. Laux also stepped out of his office and began searching the world for the most effective therapies nature has to offer. Dr. Laux has appeared regularly in the media—including CNN, BBC, and Fox. He has served as the chairman for several scientific advisory boards for leading companies in the field of natural medicine, nutrition, and nutritional supplements. He has authored 5 books on natural remedies.

I cannot believe the news on Arbonne. I learned yesterday that the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

I was an RVP with Arbonne but decided to leave the business in the fall of 2008 because I knew Arbonne was out of momentum and things didn’t feel right.

One of the big “selling points” for Arbonne was that the company was debt-free. I am absolutely SHOCKED that the company is in over $800 million in debt($500 million was originally reported).If Arbonne actually comes out of this (many companies do not), they will have another $120 million in debt and be owned 85% by the banks that are carrying that debt and the company borrowed another $20 million more as part of this deal.

There are a few lessons to be learned from this. First of all, be smart. You should never believe everything you hear. We have to do our due diligence when choosing a company to represent and continue to know what’s going on with the company we represent. Second, take Seth Godin’s advice and know when to stick and when to quit. Arbonne has had a tremendous run and has created significant wealth for many but it’s time has passed.

Because of issues like this, now more than ever it is incredibly important to always have your income diversified so if something happens to one source of your income, your world won’t be turned upside down.

My heart goes out to all the consultants that have trusted this company with their future. This is a major blow to them, their families and their future. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ellen

I want to start out this post by giving you a quote from “The Butterfly Effect” from www.simpletruths.com as it really summarizes the point of this post.

“When you know that everything matters – that every move counts as much as any other – you will begin living a life of permanent purpose. A life of permanent purpose will make you a better parent, a better spouse, and a more valuable friend. Your productivity and financial success will soar to new heights while the old days of uncertainty, doubt, and depression fade into the past.”

Do you know what your permanent purpose in life is? Have you written out your life’s design? Are you living a life consistent with your life’s design?

I thought I was living my life consistent with my design but I wasn’t. Fortunately for me, my good friend Pam Hartley introduced me to a very special woman, Audrey Cavenecia from Her Turning Point. Audrey is a coach, speaker and entrepreneur and has coached Pam for many years. Pam knew Audrey would be a good fit for me to get me past what was “stopping me”. Her Turning Point is a series of exercises that causes a profound alteration allowing you to finally and fully become uniquely you.

Pam and Audrey both made me realize that I was taking on too many projects and too much responsibility and not focusing enough time on what was going to ultimately allow me to live the design that I have created for my life. WOW! This really hit home with me and made me realize that I needed to make some serious changes in my life. The most important of those changes is learning to say “No” and feeling really good about it! If the person/opportunity/etc. doesn’t move me closer to “my life’s design” then it moves me further away and I have to say “no”.

Does this story hit home with you? If so, I would encourage you to do what I did and take some time to figure out your life’s design. What are you here for? What types of relationships will you have? How will you spend your days and with whom? What is your ultimate outcome for your life? Here is a small excerpt from MY Life’s Design to get you started…..

“We have created a 6 figure monthly residual income through network marketing that allows us to spend our days as we wish. We work together in our business to continue to grow and help others. We put the kids on/off the bus every day, we volunteer at school, we volunteer in the community, we pursue our hobbies both together and individually. We make a significant financial impact on those in need and spend time helping them learn to be financially independent. Our family is fit, healthy and happy because we eat healthy food and exercise regularly. Our life is full of peace, joy and overall success!”

You can learn more about Audrey at http://www.herturningpoint.com. I highly recommend her coaching! Please tell her that I referred you!

I would strongly encourage you to spend some time on this and get focused. Get laser focused on creating your ultimate life. When you do, you will reap rewards far greater than you could ever imagine.

I would love for you to drop a comment about this post!

Ellen

With greater confidence in yourself and your abilities, you will set bigger goals and make bigger plans and commit yourself to achieving objectives that today you only dream about. ~ Brian Tracy

“The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. The moment it arises, all your irritations and resentments slip away and the sunny spirit takes their place.”  Mark Twain

The Laughter Movie