Now, more than ever, it’s time to have a professional photoshoot.

Who would have known that we would be going through a pandemic and that our communications would be exclusively virtual? No bars to network, no co-working spaces, no beaches to meet friends, no restaurants to have a date, and no job interviews. Your business card is your LinkedIn profile with a current picture if you have it. And if you still don’t have a great profile picture, now it’s time to get one. Don’t hesitate one more minute.

I had my first professional shoot in January, and it was an amazing experience. For a while, I was flirting with the idea, and finally, the photographer came to Miami. Joe Colón and I quickly set up a date. I was so excited that from the get-go, I started to mentally scan my closet in search of the perfect pieces. When I had it all figured out, he told me, “Just bring something with light colors, a second set with dark hues, and a third printed option.” Now, everything got complicated! I said to myself – OMG – How am I going to choose the perfect outfits with those criteria while reflecting my personality and my profile picture objectives?

So the next day, I invested time to play with available clothing pieces, colors, and accessories. To my surprise, I didn’t have to invest any money in clothes. [Tip #1: Don’t buy anything—use what you have. You will feel more comfortable with pieces that you already know how they make you look.] Pinterest was the best tool ever!

Picture day arrived, and I was as ready as I could have been. As soon as I arrived at the venue, Joe observed me from top to bottom, hair, makeup, and outfits. He already had the space and lights set up. It was perfect because we wanted to take advantage of the downtown Miami skyline. [Tip #2: Natural sceneries complement you and set the tone of the picture.]

It was an interesting experience because I have been in the communications industry, but always behind the scenes, advising spokespeople, making sure the speaker is properly highlighted, and my time to be up in front of the camera was real. That sense of vulnerability flourished, moreover when the photographer made me more conscious that profile pictures are just from the waist or shoulders and up. Therefore, the eyes have to talk; and taking into consideration that “the eyes are the window to your soul,” one has to let the guards down and flow during the photoshoot. [Tip #3: Choose a professional photographer whom you can trust, feel comfortable with, and -I repeat- professional.]

You cannot imagine the number of pictures Joe took in order to obtain the perfect ones. See below funny -and vulnerable- pictures of me trying to talk through my eyes. [Tip #4: Truly communicate with your look what you want others to see from you—be genuine and have fun during the shooting.]

As you go through the photoshoot, you will get more comfortable, and as you change between outfits, you will embrace the experience. It’s very interesting how professional picture taking has been evolving. Nowadays, you do not have to be a public figure or a celebrity to have a professional photoshoot. Having a profile picture taken has become a necessity to project yourself as a professional. It is an investment towards your personal brand.