Do you need photos of yourself on a therapy website?
TLDR: Yes, you do 😂
In this post we’re going to talk about why and start by defining the difference between brand photos and headshots.
But first, I have to add a caveat: brand photos are gonna cost some money, and if that is not in the budget right now, that it 100% ok.
Do the highest quality thing within your budget.
If you are just starting out you may need to DIY your website photos. Don’t let it stop you from getting started. You can always upgrade later.
“What is the difference between brand photos and headshots?”
A headshot is usually from the shoulders up, with you looking into the camera (usually smiling). A brand photo showcases your business, so it may include “action” shots of you or photos that don’t have you in them at all!
Brand photos give you a chance to show more of your/your brand’s personality and tell a story more than a headshot alone.
These two types of photos can complement each other!
Headshot
Brand Photo
“Do I need photos of myself on my website?”
If you’re thinking to yourself, “my work is about my clients, not about me, do I really need photos of me on my website?” then this section is for you!
The answer is YES.
Seeing your face earns trust. People want to know there is a real human behind the digital content they are interacting with. Especially when it comes to therapy. Seeing a friendly face can help a person who is already in a vulnerable place.
“Ok but how many photos of myself do I actually need?”
You need at least one photo of you on your site. It should be recent, crisp, and show your eyes, no sunnies please!
If a paying photographer is not in the cards, check out this post for ideas on DIYing your photos!
“Will I look full of myself if I put pictures of myself on my website, or even (gasp) at the top of my home page?”
It actually makes way more sense for a therapist to have a photo of themselves at the top of their site, rather than a random landscape or (my favorite) a pile of stacked-up rocks.
YOU are the business.
What if you went to buy a new pair of headphones (or any other product) and you had to scroll down the page 3-4 times before you saw the actual headphones? That would be weird, right?
Go ahead and put your photo either at the top (or right below the top) of your site!
As far as how many to put, I’ve had clients with lots of photos and videos of themselves on their websites and you know what?
They all have full practices.
I’m not saying it’s because of the photos that they are full. I am saying that it doesn’t get in the way of clients contacting you.
“Have any tips for finding a good photographer?”
The best way is to ask other therapist colleagues in your area who have great photos. Because it’s always going to be in-person, the key is local! So asking someone near you is a great way to go.
You can also do a Google search using your area as a keyword. Or even do a search that includes “brand photography for therapists in _______ [your location]” and see what pops up! If that yields nothing, broaden the search. You could try other keywords like “brand photography for small business owners near me.”
Peruse websites and see who has a style who matches what you have in mind.
Do have a budget in mind. And don’t be afraid to put it out there! Most photographers will appreciate that transparency and also some might even have special pared down packages that aren’t listed on their websites.
You never know until you ask!
And always always get some sort of vibe check. You have to feel comfortable with the human being on the other side of the camera for your photos to turn out well.
Thanks so much to Laura Grace of Mushaboom Studio for our brand photos that we adore.
