Personal Branding – Let Your Headshot Speak For Itself.
How essential is it to establish a personal brand? In today’s world, it’s imperative. Living in the digital age, you can never underestimate the importance of your social media presence, and in the corporate world, you present this with your business headshot. Your Facebook profile, Linkedin photo, or picture on the company website will oftentimes be the first impression shared with a potential client. We all know how important first impressions are, so let’s get it right!
We know that creating a personal brand can seem intimidating at first, but don’t let that put you off. As Pittsburgh business photographer I am here to help walk you through each and every step of capturing the perfect headshot! Today we’ll talk about the different photo elements that come together to ensure you leave your clients with the right impression.
Scout Your Location. The first important step is to choose your location and background – helping to set the mood for your photo. It’s important to pick an appropriate scene that represents your profession. Location can be onsite – your place of business – or you may choose to go for a studio session. Studio setup and lighting (often with a white background) tend to give off a more conservative vibe commonly appreciated by CEO’s and top businessmen. A less serious, but just as professional, approach is to shoot at your workplace with a soft – slightly blurred out – background. More relaxed business’ may even spring for a slightly colorful or environmental backdrop.
Who Are You? Now it’s time to think about wardrobe. First, you need to decide what look you’re going for. How do you want to represent yourself and your business? You’ve heard, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” – apply that here! How would you dress for your dream client? You may go for a suit and tie, jeans and a nice top, or somewhere in between. Next, grab a solid or non-distracting color for your top. Professional stripes (sometimes found on jackets or blazers) can work too, as long you maintain a neutral background. For women, we recommend going for vertical stripes, as they offer a more slimming look to the camera. Ladies, feel free to glam yourself up a bit, but keep it natural! We do recommend a makeup artist, https://jenworley.com/2019/01/22/skin-and-makeup/. We want your true personality to come out with these photos.
Find Your Pose. You’ve made it to the shoot – Woo! As your photographer, I am here to help make you feel comfortable and find poses that work for you. If you’re nervous, don’t feel silly about practicing in a mirror before you go. Some things to think about…
- Relax and breathe.
- Keep your back straight.
- Avoid “straight to camera” body position.
- Practice chin awareness.
- Communicate with your eyes.
- Relax your hands and arms.
- Practice hand placement.
- Try standing up.
- Take one sitting down – with a slight tilt to the head, leaning forward, and a gentle but captivating smile.
Say Cheese! (Or Don’t.) Almost done! You’re at the shoot, picked a profession-appropriate wardrobe, and feel comfortable with your pose. Finish it off with your facial expressions. The great thing about expressions? They only take a second to change. Try them all!
Take Control of Your Brand.
Did you know you already have a branded product? YOU (or your career). Personal branding is the process of marketing yourself. You do so with every product you release, every business partnership, every social media post, and every look you present.
Goal: Build The Brand You Want! The brand you build should be composed of your business value, your services, who you are and what you do. The process of self-branding is simply promoting these ideas through marketing platforms.
1. Find Your Niche. Do it well. First, you need to know exactly what you’re promoting. Everything you do adds to your brand – make sure you’re in control of the information your customers are seeing. This isn’t a step to skip. Brainstorm and write down these answers for yourself – be specific.
- What do you, or your business, bring to the table?
- What specific services do you provide?
- How do you provide these? (Explain your process, your timeframes, your pricing)
- What’s in it for the customer?
- How are you different than your competitors?
2. Define Your Target Audience. We can’t impress on you enough, the importance of finding and marketing to the right target audience. Take Instagram for example. Some people just want those million followers, but what you actually want is ENGAGEMENT in your followers.
Try this – Think what services you provide, why someone would need them, and then narrow down to the who.
3. Present Yourself. In today’s world, a simple product isn’t enough. We want to know what we’re buying, who we’re buying, why we’re buying. You are the face of the brand, so get yourself ready to promote. As a Pittsburgh business photographer I can help you grab the perfect headshot to use on any digital platform – whether that be a business website, LinkedIn account, or social media post. Our photographers are here to help you build and promote your business in any way we can.
4. Show. Don’t Tell. Now that you’ve determined your value as a brand, and you know who you’re targeting, it’s time to start promoting. This can be done in various ways depending on your business, and we’ve given you some ideas below. But the idea is to set yourself up with any sort of portfolio that works for you.
Grow a following
- Instagram. We live in not only a digital age, but a visual one. Create content, use good captions and hashtags, and engage with your followers! Be consistent and frequent!
- LinkedIn. Is becoming on of the most important social platform for professionals. It is not a place to just parl your work history anymore.
- Twitter. Particularly in business, this is a great way to release a quick message, or to promote your other platforms. Update it with alerts of any new products, articles, promotions, or anything customers should be aware of.
- Facebook. Similar to Instagram, create content that will encourage reader engagement.
Set yourself up to be ready for potential clients
- Create a Website. Outline who you are, your services, and your pricing, and even a blog to keep it interesting. (Keep it fun. Add some photos!)
- Set up your Facebook page. This can be more personal than a website. Update frequently and engage with your followers.
- Finish your LinkedIn account with a full resume, description, testimonials, and the perfect headshot.
Kickoff engagement with your posts and captions. Ask your viewers to answer a question, to follow another platform, or to share an opinion. Don’t add these to every post – readers shouldn’t feel like there’s work to do every time they come across something of yours. Keep it light & easy!
5. Maintain Trust. Trust will be incredibly important to build when talking to new or current clients. You’ve told them who you are, and what you can do. Why should they believe you? Make sure to work in prior experience, testimonials, and relevant education wherever you can to help build your credibility.

Jen Barker Worley Photography
555 Grant Street, Suite 337 Offices at the William Penn Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-370-4520
Sarah is a civil litigator in Dinsmore and Shohl LLP’s Pittsburgh Office. Her practice focuses on commercial, banking, and consumer finance litigation. Sarah is currently on 6-month secondment with a Pittsburgh-based national bank where she has the unique opportunity to learn the client perspective and gain further experience in banking-related litigation and enforcement.When Sarah is not at work, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing with their rambunctious Boston Terrier, Leo, and exploring new restaurants and activities in her hometown of Pittsburgh. #pittsburghattorney
Sep 18

Sarah is a civil litigator in Dinsmore and Shohl LLP’s Pittsburgh Office. Her practice focuses on commercial, banking, and consumer finance litigation. Sarah is currently on 6-month secondment with a Pittsburgh-based national bank where she has the unique opportunity to learn the client perspective and gain further experience in banking-related litigation and enforcement. When Sarah is not at work, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing with their rambunctious Boston Terrier, Leo, and exploring new restaurants and activities in her hometown of Pittsburgh. #pittsburghattorney
Pittsburgh native, Grace Fowler, recently graduated with a Master of Public Administration from the @pittofficial Univiersity of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs, along with a certificate in Gender Studies. As a student, she served as the Volunteerism & Corporate Giving Intern at Duquesne Light Company for nearly two years where she managed employee volunteerism and charitable grant programs. She has over six years of experience in corporate and foundation grantmaking.Grace began her career path in the Youth Philanthropy Internship Program at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and has worked at the United Way, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, and Catholic Charities. She is currently an Assistant Manager/Store Lead at @athleta - a certified B Corp that prioritizes people and planet. Grace is excited about opportunities to use her experience and help nonprofits thrive in the city she loves.
Aug 16

Pittsburgh native, Grace Fowler, recently graduated with a Master of Public Administration from the @pittofficial Univiersity of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs, along with a certificate in Gender Studies. As a student, she served as the Volunteerism & Corporate Giving Intern at Duquesne Light Company for nearly two years where she managed employee volunteerism and charitable grant programs. She has over six years of experience in corporate and foundation grantmaking. Grace began her career path in the Youth Philanthropy Internship Program at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and has worked at the United Way, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, and Catholic Charities. She is currently an Assistant Manager/Store Lead at @athleta - a certified B Corp that prioritizes people and planet. Grace is excited about opportunities to use her experience and help nonprofits thrive in the city she loves.
We all have certain friends we’d do anything for. Unasked. Even if it’s a “job” that normally no one could pay us enough to do.I‘ve told everyone for years how I hate weddings (nothing against marriage), and that’s why that’s not my branch of photography.But I loved every minute of it on Saturday, despite 100+ degree heat in Daytona. doing my best to capture their day, and being a close part of it as the friend-photographer.Thanks guys (even though neither of you are on the socials) for having fun with me.But to everyone else…. It’s still a no. 😂Music is “Caliente Flow” by White_Records. pixabay.com
Aug 14

We all have certain friends we’d do anything for. Unasked. Even if it’s a “job” that normally no one could pay us enough to do. I‘ve told everyone for years how I hate weddings (nothing against marriage), and that’s why that’s not my branch of photography. But I loved every minute of it on Saturday, despite 100+ degree heat in Daytona. doing my best to capture their day, and being a close part of it as the friend-photographer. Thanks guys (even though neither of you are on the socials) for having fun with me. But to everyone else…. It’s still a no. 😂 Music is “Caliente Flow” by White_Records. pixabay.com
As the Talent Acquisition Manager for Sisterson & Co. LLP, Courtney Baum, MA enjoys building meaningful relationships, while recruiting quality professionals to join the talented team at Sisterson.In addition to her current role, Courtney held previous leadership positions at Baker Tilly, Saint Vincent College, and Carnegie Mellon University. For over 20 years, Courtney has enjoyed encouraging others to share their story and find their passion. She has served in additional roles as an adjunct faculty and as a dedicated member of her community through several executive boards focused on wellness, education, and career and professional development. Courtney holds a MA from Indiana University of PA and a BS from the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg. #pittsburghaccounting #recruiting
Aug 9

As the Talent Acquisition Manager for Sisterson & Co. LLP, Courtney Baum, MA enjoys building meaningful relationships, while recruiting quality professionals to join the talented team at Sisterson. In addition to her current role, Courtney held previous leadership positions at Baker Tilly, Saint Vincent College, and Carnegie Mellon University. For over 20 years, Courtney has enjoyed encouraging others to share their story and find their passion. She has served in additional roles as an adjunct faculty and as a dedicated member of her community through several executive boards focused on wellness, education, and career and professional development. Courtney holds a MA from Indiana University of PA and a BS from the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg. #pittsburghaccounting #recruiting
My friend Jay Glunt is running a personal project on social media, which he calls "Meeting a Stranger." Follow him @jay_glunt_365. The stories he collects from complete strangers are inspiring, and his approach is creative. Definitely check it out.
Aug 2

My friend Jay Glunt is running a personal project on social media, which he calls "Meeting a Stranger." Follow him @jay_glunt_365. The stories he collects from complete strangers are inspiring, and his approach is creative. Definitely check it out.
Teagan Osborne, CPA was just promoted to Manager at Schneider Downs, after joining the company in June 2023. Graduated from Geneva College in 2019 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a Minor in Finance; graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Aug 1

Teagan Osborne, CPA was just promoted to Manager at Schneider Downs, after joining the company in June 2023. Graduated from Geneva College in 2019 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a Minor in Finance; graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Alexis Pollins was a Pittsburgh native of the South Hills (South Fayette Alumni). She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and an Event Planning Minor in 2018, where she fell in love with the hospitality industry. There she planned events for the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.Alexis also assisted in the opening of Topgolf Pittsburgh with their Event Sales Department and is currently the Executive Meetings Manager at VisitPITTSBURGH on the Business Events Team. In her free time, she is an avid runner (she ran her first full marathon in Pittsburgh in May 2023). She has also been a dance teacher at Center Stage since 2018 and loves spending time with her family the most, especially her twin sister, Taylor.
Jul 26

Alexis Pollins was a Pittsburgh native of the South Hills (South Fayette Alumni). She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and an Event Planning Minor in 2018, where she fell in love with the hospitality industry. There she planned events for the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. Alexis also assisted in the opening of Topgolf Pittsburgh with their Event Sales Department and is currently the Executive Meetings Manager at VisitPITTSBURGH on the Business Events Team. In her free time, she is an avid runner (she ran her first full marathon in Pittsburgh in May 2023). She has also been a dance teacher at Center Stage since 2018 and loves spending time with her family the most, especially her twin sister, Taylor.
Casey Kennedy is an attorney and a Section Specialist in Buchanan’s Financial Institutions, Bankruptcy, and Real Estate section. Prior to joining [Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney] last year, Casey represented clients in South Carolina and West Virginia in an array of real estate and oil and gas transactions and operated a title abstracting and land services company. Casey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Nutritional Science from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia in 2010. She received her J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2017, where she graduated cum laude with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Law. Before law school, Casey spent four years in the energy industry performing title research and analysis and assisting with mergers and acquisitions, leasing, and title curative matters for E&P and Midstream companies throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.#pittsburghattorney
Jul 13
![Casey Kennedy is an attorney and a Section Specialist in Buchanan’s Financial Institutions, Bankruptcy, and Real Estate section. Prior to joining [Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney] last year, Casey represented clients in South Carolina and West Virginia in an array of real estate and oil and gas transactions and operated a title abstracting and land services company.
Casey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Nutritional Science from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia in 2010. She received her J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2017, where she graduated cum laude with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Law. Before law school, Casey spent four years in the energy industry performing title research and analysis and assisting with mergers and acquisitions, leasing, and title curative matters for E&P and Midstream companies throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.#pittsburghattorney](https://jenworley.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Casey Kennedy is an attorney and a Section Specialist in Buchanan’s Financial Institutions, Bankruptcy, and Real Estate section. Prior to joining [Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney] last year, Casey represented clients in South Carolina and West Virginia in an array of real estate and oil and gas transactions and operated a title abstracting and land services company. Casey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Nutritional Science from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia in 2010. She received her J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2017, where she graduated cum laude with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Law. Before law school, Casey spent four years in the energy industry performing title research and analysis and assisting with mergers and acquisitions, leasing, and title curative matters for E&P and Midstream companies throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.#pittsburghattorney
Shawn Graham recently founded Rise Structural Group, a structural engineering firm offering innovative and cost-effective structural engineering solutions for buildings of any size. He is a Penn State Architectural Engineering Alum and has over 20 years of expertise in structural engineering and project management. Discover more at www.RiseStructuralGroup.com. #pittsburghengineers
Jul 10

Shawn Graham recently founded Rise Structural Group, a structural engineering firm offering innovative and cost-effective structural engineering solutions for buildings of any size. He is a Penn State Architectural Engineering Alum and has over 20 years of expertise in structural engineering and project management. Discover more at www.RiseStructuralGroup.com. #pittsburghengineers
Alexis Satterfield has been promoted to tax manager at Sisterson & Co. LLP. She has been with the company since graduating from Saint Vincent College in 2016. She provides tax services to various industries, specifically specializing in high net worth individuals and trusts. #pittsburghtaxprofessional
Jul 10

Alexis Satterfield has been promoted to tax manager at Sisterson & Co. LLP. She has been with the company since graduating from Saint Vincent College in 2016. She provides tax services to various industries, specifically specializing in high net worth individuals and trusts. #pittsburghtaxprofessional
Family photo! Of course I brought a strobe and modifier on vacation. When your VRBO has a view like that, you need to use it. But I’m not a “make everyone where the same clothes” for it. Just real.Oh, and I caught my brother up on the new AI Generative Fill in Photoshop… he and my nephew had fun with it in the second photo. (We are not a cat family. 😆)And then just fun at Biltmore.
Jul 6

Family photo! Of course I brought a strobe and modifier on vacation. When your VRBO has a view like that, you need to use it. But I’m not a “make everyone where the same clothes” for it. Just real. Oh, and I caught my brother up on the new AI Generative Fill in Photoshop… he and my nephew had fun with it in the second photo. (We are not a cat family. 😆) And then just fun at Biltmore.
Stephanie Zur has been promoted to tax manager at Sisterson & Co. LLP. She has been with the company since she graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2013. She provides tax preparation and consulting services to a variety of industries including start-ups and technology companies. Her areas of expertise include closely-held, multi-state businesses, U.S. based multinationals and individuals. #pittsburghtaxes
Jun 21

Stephanie Zur has been promoted to tax manager at Sisterson & Co. LLP. She has been with the company since she graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2013. She provides tax preparation and consulting services to a variety of industries including start-ups and technology companies. Her areas of expertise include closely-held, multi-state businesses, U.S. based multinationals and individuals. #pittsburghtaxes
I love doing team shots on locations. Especially in unique locations.I wanted to capture the uniqueness of their office location, on the Monongahela. But the best location was on the barge mooring across a narrow grated catwalk. We had to keep it simple with our lighting, doing our best to over-power the bright sun as much as possible, using just one light source because it was windy! (No equipment was damaged, which is much better than the last time I shot on the river.)Assistant: @dan_jenworleyphotography#pittsburgh team photos
Jun 8

I love doing team shots on locations. Especially in unique locations. I wanted to capture the uniqueness of their office location, on the Monongahela. But the best location was on the barge mooring across a narrow grated catwalk. We had to keep it simple with our lighting, doing our best to over-power the bright sun as much as possible, using just one light source because it was windy! (No equipment was damaged, which is much better than the last time I shot on the river.) Assistant: @dan_jenworleyphotography #pittsburgh team photos
Nandita Mahesh is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Marketing, a minor in Theatre Arts and is now working at Colliers as a Marketing Coordinator. In her free time, she employs herself as a freelance musician, actress, and script supervisor, producing music both recreationally and professionally and playing in gigs, performing in professional theatre productions, and working on films.
Jun 7

Nandita Mahesh is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Marketing, a minor in Theatre Arts and is now working at Colliers as a Marketing Coordinator. In her free time, she employs herself as a freelance musician, actress, and script supervisor, producing music both recreationally and professionally and playing in gigs, performing in professional theatre productions, and working on films.
Portrait to half-length to headshot. Great outfit Sabrina, and love those shoes!!! #pittsburghphotographer
May 26

Portrait to half-length to headshot. Great outfit Sabrina, and love those shoes!!! #pittsburghphotographer
Rochelle Qin joined Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP's Pittsburgh office as a summer associate in 2023. Juris Doctor Candidate at William & Mary Law School. She is interested in corporate and transactional law. #pittsburghattorney #pittsburghphotographer @rochelle.qin
May 23

Rochelle Qin joined Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP's Pittsburgh office as a summer associate in 2023. Juris Doctor Candidate at William & Mary Law School. She is interested in corporate and transactional law. #pittsburghattorney #pittsburghphotographer @rochelle.qin
Tara Hopper Rice joined the business litigation group Frost Brown Todd after being a shareholder at a regional law firm. She specializes in energy and real estate litigation and transactions, as well as bankruptcy workouts and family law disputes. Licensed in PA, WV and WY. #pittsburghattorney #pittsburghphotographer
May 19

Tara Hopper Rice joined the business litigation group Frost Brown Todd after being a shareholder at a regional law firm. She specializes in energy and real estate litigation and transactions, as well as bankruptcy workouts and family law disputes. Licensed in PA, WV and WY. #pittsburghattorney #pittsburghphotographer
Ever use a confetti canon before? Well, we quickly discovered they are a little risky to shoot off in a small studio, when you have sprinkler heads above you. And yikes, are they loud!So we changed the idea- let’s shoot everyone individually. And instead of everyone shooting the canon, have people throw the confetti (which came out of our first canon) instead. Or pretend someone’s shooting it, and another person throws it off camera toward them.So here’s the composited photo, with the individual shots. #pittsburghphotographer
May 19

Ever use a confetti canon before? Well, we quickly discovered they are a little risky to shoot off in a small studio, when you have sprinkler heads above you. And yikes, are they loud! So we changed the idea- let’s shoot everyone individually. And instead of everyone shooting the canon, have people throw the confetti (which came out of our first canon) instead. Or pretend someone’s shooting it, and another person throws it off camera toward them. So here’s the composited photo, with the individual shots. #pittsburghphotographer
Hard at work for their clients, but loving what they do! #pittsburghteamphotos
May 16

Hard at work for their clients, but loving what they do! #pittsburghteamphotos
I think it’s awesome when teams come to me with ideas of what they’d like to do for their marketing/customer appreciation. I love collaborating and bringing actuality to their creativity.So yeah - Brady Bunch style on this one. More to come.#pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghteamphotography
May 11

I think it’s awesome when teams come to me with ideas of what they’d like to do for their marketing/customer appreciation. I love collaborating and bringing actuality to their creativity. So yeah - Brady Bunch style on this one. More to come. #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghteamphotography
Zack Bombatch is an employment attorney guiding employers to strategically align their human resources practices with the organizations’ goals. He helps employers navigate the ocean of employment laws for issues such as compensation, anti-discrimination efforts, employment contracts, and medical marijuana use, as well as any disputes that arise from such issues. #pittsburghlawyer #pittsburghphotographer
May 3

Zack Bombatch is an employment attorney guiding employers to strategically align their human resources practices with the organizations’ goals. He helps employers navigate the ocean of employment laws for issues such as compensation, anti-discrimination efforts, employment contracts, and medical marijuana use, as well as any disputes that arise from such issues. #pittsburghlawyer #pittsburghphotographer
Great working with the Giant Eagle team to capture interim CEO Bill Artman’s profile photos, featured today on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.We couldn’t shut down the produce section for the shoot, so some people had to be removed in the background for the final photos.Change of angle: the final 3 photos with the oranges in the front, demonstrate how changing your camera angle can showcase the background differently, and give a different feel to the subject. #pittsburghphotographer
May 2

Great working with the Giant Eagle team to capture interim CEO Bill Artman’s profile photos, featured today on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. We couldn’t shut down the produce section for the shoot, so some people had to be removed in the background for the final photos. Change of angle: the final 3 photos with the oranges in the front, demonstrate how changing your camera angle can showcase the background differently, and give a different feel to the subject. #pittsburghphotographer
Megan Pino is a marketing leader who’s spent the past 16 years focused on healthcare marketing. She’s held various roles in Fortune 500 companies to tech startups, supporting an array of products like robotics, medical devices, and AI software.MUA: @_jodielynnmakeup_
Apr 20

Megan Pino is a marketing leader who’s spent the past 16 years focused on healthcare marketing. She’s held various roles in Fortune 500 companies to tech startups, supporting an array of products like robotics, medical devices, and AI software. MUA: @_jodielynnmakeup_
Katie Jenkins is a highly skilled IT professional helping Aurora pave the path to the future of self-driving vehicles.#pittsburghheadshotphotographer
Apr 13

Katie Jenkins is a highly skilled IT professional helping Aurora pave the path to the future of self-driving vehicles. #pittsburghheadshotphotographer