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John DeMato Blog

John DeMato, The Visual Storytelling Strategist, offers insights beyond basic visuals for experts who speak, coach, train, consult and write books. Discover how strategic visual storytelling brings more clients, higher fees, and unlocks new opportunities. Look like you're worth every penny you charge.

Headshots Are A Handshake, Not A Conversation

 

“I already have headshots—that’s enough.”

Headshots are a solid starting point. 

They’re polished, professional, and essential for things like LinkedIn profiles, speaker kits, websites and bio pages. 

While headshots are usually the front door to your entire online presence, they only tell part of the story.

But what about how you work, engage, and deliver value to your audience? 

Without action shots, candid moments, and contextual visuals, your brand risks feeling one-dimensional.

Here’s why that matters: 

Potential clients, event organizers, and partners want to see you in action. 

They want to know how you solve problems, how you connect with people, and what it’s like to work with you. 

A headshot simply can’t capture that.

Imagine these scenarios:

  • Action Shots: Photos of you speaking on stage, facilitating a workshop, or coaching a client tell the story of your expertise and leadership.

  • Candid Moments: Genuine interactions, like brainstorming with a team or greeting participants after a keynote, make you relatable and approachable.

  • Contextual Visuals: Images in environments that reflect your work—an office, a conference room, or even a virtual setup—help your audience see the bigger picture of what you do.

Headshots alone don’t build a connection. They’re a handshake, not a conversation. 

To truly engage your audience, your photos need to create depth, variety, and relatability. Without that, your brand can feel flat, leaving potential clients unsure of what you bring to the table.

Your audience wants to see the full story, not just a single frame. 

If it’s time to go beyond the basics and create a dynamic portfolio that reflects the real you, let’s make it happen.