Realtor headshots are a necessary component of every agent’s marketing toolkit. Your headshot is a snapshot of who you are, makes a great first impression, and showcases your real estate brand. Whether you aim to stand out in a crowded market or refresh your online presence, nailing your headshot is an important part of growing your business and brand recognition. From striking and flattering realtor poses to finding the best lighting, I have tips for the perfect real estate headshots.
1. Choose the Right Photographer
To find and hire the right photographer, ask for referrals from agents whose headshots you like. Look through the photographer’s portfolio and ask to see before and after retouched photos. Narrow your search down to your top three picks, and schedule a consultation with them to see if they’re a good fit and can deliver the desired results. Prepare a few questions before your consultation to help you determine if they’re right for your needs. Here are some guide questions that you can refer to:
- What is your experience in working with realtors and business professionals?
- How long is the realtor photoshoot?
- What can I expect during the shoot, and where does it occur?
- What packages are available, and what is the pricing for a photographer?
- What does it cost, and are there any add-on or overtime fees?
- What is your payment policy—deposit upfront or pay in full?
- How many poses and outfit changes are included?
- Do you have a stylist, or can I bring one?
- What’s the turnaround time for getting my photos?
- Do you do retouching? Can you show me the before and after retouching photos?
- Are you comfortable with me contacting some of your clients?
- Will you take the photos, or someone from your team?
- How do I prepare for the shoot, and what do you need from me?
After interviewing your top three, you should know who will best meet your needs. In that case, go ahead and schedule your real estate agent photoshoot. Get a good night’s sleep the night before, relax, and enjoy yourself.
2. Pick a Location
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a location is how the background may distract clients from seeing you. One of the best headshot backgrounds is pure white, which is powerful when it comes to tiny profile pictures that appear online. According to SLR Lounge, a white background feels bright, open, and natural, allowing the viewer to focus on you.
However, your background can be relevant to the real estate you work with. If you work in the city, like the agent on the left, an artfully blurred street scene or brick wall can be an integral piece of your real estate marketing. On the other hand, if your clientele is builders and land developers, try something like a blurred forest or pastoral scene while wearing professional attire. It’s okay to have creative real estate headshots as long as they’re not too distracting.
3. Dress to Impress
Before you get ready for your realtor headshot, it’s important to choose clothing that makes you feel confident and represents your target audience. For instance, the first headshot feels formal because of the combination of the suit jacket and corporate background. Yet his expression and pose make him appear confident and approachable. This would likely appeal to a more formal or corporate audience or a commercial real estate agent.
The second headshot still feels professional but is slightly more laid-back because of the agent’s jean jacket. Her folded arms show confidence, and her smile is reassuring. This is an effective headshot for agents who want to project a casual vibe and attract clients in a more suburban neighborhood. Each style conveys your brand image, which you can use on social media and in marketing materials.
Pro tip: Avoid busy patterns or bright colors that can be difficult to photograph. Be mindful of what shows up in your background.
4. Strike a Pose
The way you feel will naturally show in your photos, so set up your shoot when you feel most confident. Even if your biggest deal of the year falls through that morning, you can still trick your brain into feeling like the successful real estate agent you are by using power poses. According to The Psychologist, this concept dates back to the 19th century, when psychologist William James noted that emotions come from physiology. Therefore, your bodily expressions contribute directly to your emotions.
Use different poses. (Sources: The Epitome of Real Estate, Pinterest—Power Pose for Women, and Pinterest—Power Pose for Men)
Try poses in front of a mirror or ask a friend for feedback before your photo shoot and decide on a few that feel the most natural. Even if your photographer helps you pose, you likely won’t feel as confident if you’re in an unfamiliar position. No matter what pose you try, always stand tall with relaxed shoulders and a confident posture that conveys professionalism and approachability.
5. Use Your Perfect Smile
The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin studied the headshots of financial advisers to determine whether people who look happier in photographs are viewed as more trustworthy than those who appear unhappy in photos. Interestingly, smiling doesn’t impact viewers’ opinions on competence. However, when asked who they would choose to be their financial adviser, test subjects chose the happier-looking person every time.
Studies from Photofeeler came up with virtually identical results—people who smiled in their headshot were seen as far more likable and influential than those who didn’t, but only slightly more competent. The takeaway should be obvious: don’t forget to smile for your best realtor headshots.
6. Get Professional Hair & Makeup
Your real estate agent headshots will be used on social media, in your marketing materials like flyers and business cards, and at events or sponsorships. To present your best self, consider having your hair and makeup done before your professional realtor photos are taken. This is another way to instill self-confidence and attract leads who resonate with your professional, polished look.
7. Accessorize Wisely
It’s common to see modern real estate headshots of agents on their phones or computers when they want to convey that they are working in their natural element. Keep accessories simple to avoid distractions and ensure the focus remains on you. Keep in mind that these types of pictures should not be used for your headshot but to accentuate your brand and give potential clients a sneak peek into your day-to-day life.
8. Showcase Your Personality
The most common and versatile photo in your branding arsenal is a head-and-shoulders realtor portrait. However, take the opportunity to get additional shots that you can use to showcase your personality and incorporate into your branding and marketing content. Ask your photographer about doing full-body shots, shooting in different locations, or changing outfits.
9. Consider Your Branding
Your headshots should coincide with your brand. Think about your overall style—colors, fonts, and audience—and make sure your headshots match. Whether you’re going for a laid-back vibe or a more professional look, be consistent with your choices. Your headshots should exhibit who you are and leave a lasting impression.
Here are a few points to consider:
- Color palette: Choose colors for your outfit, background, and accessories that match or complement your brand colors. Consistency in color helps reinforce brand recognition.
- Style and tone: Ask yourself—are you aiming for casual and laid back, or more formal and professional?
- Background: Align your background to enhance your brand style.
- Outfit choice: You won’t be comfortable if you don’t feel like you. Be sure your clothing reflects your personality while aligning with your brand and connecting with your target audience.
- Props and accessories: Ensure props complement your brand and add value. Avoid anything that could distract the focus from you.
- Facial expressions and body language: Relax and smile, but don’t slouch. Stand tall and be the agent you want your audience to know.
10. Use High-resolution Prints
The primary use of your headshot may be for your website, print materials, or real estate bio. Still, it’s important to make sure you receive high-resolution copies for editing your marketing materials. You may need your headshot for print ads or other opportunities in the future, and low-resolution photos can look blurry and unprofessional.
11. Edit & Select Carefully
Light editing or retouching is an essential part of the headshot process. It’s another way to help agents present the most confident versions of themselves. While it can be very easy to use a retouching or editing tool if you aren’t a professional photographer, note that over-edited photos can look unnatural and awkward. The edited version can also give a halo effect or appear washed out.
Be cautious when editing your headshot. (Source: Photofeeler and Fix the Photo)
Professional photographers typically edit and retouch photos before giving them to you. They remove blemishes, smooth out your complexion, and brighten the background if it is off-color or too dark, like in the photo below. Don’t let them take the editing too far by removing your natural look and character from your face. It’s tempting to want a flawless face in photos, but people have natural lines and features in their faces. A little airbrushing is acceptable as long as the result still looks like you.
12. Update Your Headshot Frequently
Some real estate agents think about their headshots as a once-in-a-lifetime necessity. The reality is that your physical characteristics change over time, so your headshot should, too. Prospective clients often decide which agent to list their home with based on their headshot, so it should look like you. As a general rule, get a new headshot approximately every three years.
The Do-it-yourself Method
If you’re on a budget and a professional photographer is not an option, remember that it’s all about getting that perfect shot. The one that captures your personality and your professionalism. While you may enjoy the creativity of taking your own pictures, remember the above tips when publishing your final product.
Portrait mode headshot tutorial (Source: YouTube)
Most cell phones now have a feature called portrait mode. This setting makes close-ups look more polished by blurring the background and bringing the main image into focus. At the end of the day, it’s about finding what works best for you and making sure your headshot will make the right first impression on potential clients.
If you decide to take the DIY route, Canva allows you to easily crop, add filters, and adjust the lighting on your photos. There are also thousands of templates and elements to easily transform photos.
Bottom Line
The first step to building the foundation of your brand is to get professional realtor headshots. If done properly, your headshot will convey trustworthiness and confidence to prospective clients and build your reputation as a real estate professional. Use your headshots on your business cards and in your marketing materials. By following these tips, you’ll get a headshot that takes you one step closer to building your brand, landing clients, and growing your business.