Four local photographers are taking free headshots for people who are unemployed amid the pandemic.
The photographers are among 200 across the country who are snapping pictures for free as part of the 10,000 Headshots Project.
Photographer Kim Dalton, owner of K. Dalton Photography, knows having a professional social media presence is imperative when looking for a job.
People who use a professional headshot as a profile photo could land 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests on sites like LinkedIn, Dalton said.
“If your image doesn’t grab their attention, if you don’t look confident and approachable and capable, they’re going to skip right by you and go to the next,” she said.
The average cost for a headshot session in the Cincinnati area runs about $300, Dalton said.
But on Wednesday, Dalton and hundreds of photographers in the U.S. will snap the shots for free to help people who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19.
Dalton and three other photographers from the area will each take headshots for 50 people at the Kenwood Towne Centre. The photographers will be wearing a mask and will have at least 10,000 square feet of space.
“Being able to give headshots is just a way to give some hope to people who have lost so much,” Dalton said.
It’s a topic she’s familiar with; Dalton had to draw unemployment for six weeks when the pandemic started.
“Something that I never thought I’d have to do,” she said. “But I’m one of the lucky ones because I still have my job, I didn’t lose my business.”
Anyone who is unemployed and interested in a free headshot can click here to book a time slot for a photo shoot.
