As you continue developing your digital portfolio, you’ll need to consider what story will be told through this website. In many instances, your website will give your target audience

Overview

As you continue developing your digital portfolio, you'll need to consider what story will be told through this website. In many instances, your website will give your target audience a first impression of who you are and the value you can potentially provide. The overall look and feel of your site's design should be purposeful and strategic.

Furthermore, a professional headshot can tell future employers and clients a good deal about your personal brand. This week, begin thinking about how your headshot can align with what you want to be known for. In other words, attention to detail is extremely important when preparing for and taking your headshot.

Objective

By completing this discussion, you will be able to:

• Research headshots of professionals on LinkedIn.com.
• Take a professional headshot that aligns with personal brand.
• Discuss how a headshot conveys the message of a personal brand.

Introduction

For this discussion, you will write a little bit about yourself and your brand and share the first “draft” of your professional headshot. You will also solicit public feedback and feedback from your classmates to be able to finalize a headshot to be shared on your digital portfolio site.

Instructions

In preparation for your first post, please complete the following:

• START THIS DISCUSSION EARLY…by Monday afternoon if possible.
• Watch “Business Content: Why you need a Headshot & Personal Branding” to understand the importance of having a great headshot for your personal brand.
• Read “Here’s How You Can Fake a Professional Headshot Photo Shoot for Free” for some tips on taking your own professional looking photo for your personal brand.
• Make a list of the skills that you have, the industry that you want to be in and what you want to be known for.
• Research people in similar positions on LinkedIn and the web and take note of the clothing they are wearing, the expressions on their faces, the background, and the general set up of the photos they have as their profile pictures.
• Plan out and take your new professional headshot.
  • As a reminder, these are common guidelines for headshots and will be assessed as part of your grade:
    
    • Dress appropriately for your industry AND your field
    • Scout out a location for the photo; the location must not distract from your professionalism
    • Include your whole head in the headshot
    • Make the shot tight (close-up); you should be 80% of the picture
    • Use proper focus
    • Use proper cropping
    • Use proper framing
    • Use proper lighting
• Upload your brand-new headshot to Photofeeler.com. Set your photo to “Business” category.
• You must obtain at least 15 votes to solidify and validate the results. Vote on several other photos on Photofeeler.com. This will give you “Karma points” and help you get more votes from the public. Screenshot your profile screen/scores after you have voted for a bit.

Deliverables

For your first post (due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET):

In at least two full paragraphs, respond to the prompts below. Ensure you use details from the content above and provide further personal explanations.

• Consider your brand archetype results from Week 1's discussion board. 
  • How do you want your visitors to feel after visiting your future portfolio site (coming in week 4)? 
  • How do you want your visitors to remember you? 
  • What personality traits, personal anecdotes, mission, and purpose will you try to convey in your website's imagery? 
  • How will your portfolio website's imagery effectively communicate your values, principles, or ideas to your visitors?
• Embed your new headshot (high-quality) and the screenshot of your Photofeeler.com page that shows your picture and the votes earned (you must have 15 votes before posting).
  • Discuss the following as it aligns with your headshot: 
    • (1) What is your future industry and occupation? 
    • (2) What are you trying to convey in your headshot? 
    • (3) Why did you choose the background, clothing, and facial expression? 
    • (4) Why do you feel this picture best aligns with your personal brand?