10,000 Headshots to offer free portraits to unemployed workers nationwide

Gary Pageau of the Dead Pixels Society talks with the team behind 10,000 Headshots, the largest, single-day photo initiative to provide 10,000 unemployed Americans nationwide with a complimentary, professional headshot to include with their resumes and post to job sites. The event will be Wednesday, July 22.

10,000 Headshots is the brainchild of Tony Taafe, who co-founded Headshot Booker with renowned portrait photographer, Peter Hurley, national event photographer, Lauren Lieberman, and developer, Joseph Pelosi. In this episode, Taafe, Leiberman, and Ryan Jacobs, founder and CEO of SpotMyPhotos (the company providing the hosting platform and capture technology), joined us for this episode to talk about the origins of the project and the importance of it during this pandemic.

For more information on 10,000 Headshots, visit HeadshotBooker.com. 

Transcript

Intro - Erin Manning (2s):
Welcome to the Dead Pixels Society podcast. The photo imaging industry's leading news source. Here's your host, Gary Pageau

Gary Pageau (12s):
The Dead Pixels Society podcast is brought to you by Photo Finale, Mediaclip, Advertek Inc., GotPhoto, EyeQ, Photobook.ai, The IPI Member Network and Mailpix. Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Dead Pixels Society podcast. And we're, we've got a first here this time. We've got three guests, not just one or two. We've gone for the quad presentation today. We're being joined by Ryan Jacobs of SpotMyPhotos, Tony Taafe of HeadshotBooker and Lauren Lieberman, a well-known portrait photographer. Hello everyone.

Gary Pageau (58s):
Hey, how's it going? Good. Good, good. First, we're going to start with Ryan. Ryan's going to talk a little bit. The reason why we started this conversation was Ryan and I were talking the other day about how COVID 19 is impacting the industry. And as we progress with that discussion, he made me aware of an industry initiative that's happening, which will reveal in a few minutes. But first Ryan, can you kind of cover what you're seeing in the industry in terms of how COVID-19 is affecting the photographer industry?

Ryan Jacobs (1m 33s):
Well, first of all, thanks for having us, Gary. It's great to be here for us. We saw COVID-19 affecting us at two levels. One, we have an R and D unit around event photography and photo novelty company. And, and then we were also with spotlight photos, serving a lot of photographers photo with companies, event planners and other photo industry partners. So, you know, mid-March, we like everyone else, particularly, you know, this started with our event, photography division saw a booking has been canceled, left and right along with, with the news.

Ryan Jacobs (2m 6s):
So at first there was, you know, there was an empathy and understanding with our customers that, you know, this is different, this is unprecedented. What do we do? And for us, we have to start thinking, we offer, we offer billing relief. We, we went through our own budget cleanse and then we did some scenario planning, looking at six, 12 and 18 months. And in particular, at this time we realized that this was an opportunity to build, but then also possibly work on special initiatives. So it, it caused us to kind of rethink what we were doing and, and gave way to some new opportunities to collaboration.

Gary Pageau (2m 41s):
So can you tell us a little bit about what SpotMyPhotos does and how this relates to some of the new initiatives you're talking about?

Ryan Jacobs (2m 49s):
Sure. So spot my photos for those that are not aware of there's an automated private photo-sharing platform used primarily in the event industry, very easy for people to share photos, smartphones, all of us know that, but for photographers have expensive equipment and this expertise go out, they take pictures, people ask them for photos right away and they can't get them to people. So we enable the seamless delivery photos from SLRs to those that are photographed.

Ryan Jacobs (3m 20s):
And in this case, we're, we're working with a lot of different partners. One of those are the folks that headshot crew and portrait photographers. And at this time, you know, there are a lot of opportunities for us to look at, you know, how some of those partners can be using our platform.

Gary Pageau (3m 39s):
And obviously with the events kind of going in the tank all around everything from weddings to corporate events, to seminars, conferences, et cetera, it's been a huge problem. But one thing that has also impacted the world due to COVID-19 has been employment. People are, you know, there's been 40 million people out of work. I think that's dropped back a bit in the last few years, but as they're looking for work, I think that's where this, this projec project we're going to be talking about is coming to play, is that correct?

Gary Pageau (4m 16s):
Tony?

Tony Taafe (4m 18s):
That's right. Yeah. So 10,000 head shots. That's, that's the initiative name. What we're essentially doing. We are going to give a 10,000 people free head shots, 10,000 people who have been unemployed in the last couple of months due to due to this virus. So yeah, we're hopefully going to get them, I'm stepping in the right direction back to work.

Gary Pageau (4m 42s):
So tell us a little bit about your company, headshotbooker.com and how it can facilitate this activity.

Tony Taafe (4m 49s):
Right. Headshotbooker.com was launched earlier this year, which just before everybody got put on lockdown. So it was great timing. Yeah. Lauren is also involved in headshotbooker, along with Peter Hurley. I'm, I'm sure your listeners will know who he is. And then another partner of ours, Joe Pelosi, who who's the man behind the scenes, he stays in the background.

Tony Taafe (5m 20s):
Hedgehog is the draws from headshot photographers, mentioning the word headshot one. After the other, that, you know, the, the, the photographers on the Headshot Crew, we know that to the best in the business, we know that the, the best photographers in the world as a, as a collective, certainly. And so we are going to push those guys together and we're going to position everybody throughout all 50 States.

Tony Taafe (5m 50s):
And one day on July 22nd, where we're gonna photograph 10,000 people.

Gary Pageau (5m 57s):
and you've actually partnered with a real estate company to provide the locations, is that correct? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Lauren, can you tell us a little bit about that partnership?

Lauren Lieberman (6m 14s):
Absolutely. So Brookfield Properties, they have been incredible from the beginning when this was just organically coming about with the concept and their involvement, especially in retail locations to say, you know, it's safe to come out, we're going to make sure it's a safe situation. And they are, we are using 165 of their malls, retail locations throughout the country. And our photographers will be set up there. And it will be an incredible experience for the people that, that do sign up. We want them to leave, feeling their best and to leave at the beautiful headshot that reflects who they are.

Lauren Lieberman (6m 50s):
And then using that headshot too, to put themselves out there, again, use on their resume and confidently put themselves out in the world.

Gary Pageau (6m 57s):
So tell me a little bit about that. Cause I think that's one of the things, if you kind of scroll through, you know, your average LinkedIn feed, there's a wide array of facial representations there. If I can say like how important is a headshot to, you know, getting the attention of an employer these days, Lauren?

Lauren Lieberman (7m 20s):
Oh, absolutely. It's everything it's showing who you are. And it, and really the confidence in showing who you are and especially people that are going through the situation who are unemployed. It's we see you, we recognize you. We want you to feel your best and, and it's truly about the experience. So the product itself, yes, it's a headshot it's we care about that experience and it will turn around the situation for everyone. It's the starting point. So you could have your resume, you're looking to update your resume, but statistically speaking with LinkedIn, your profile has low likelihood of being seen.

Lauren Lieberman (7m 56s):
I believe 21 more times now with an updated, with a professional headshot, different than just the selfie or, you know, things along those lines, and this will increase businesses, potential jobs, seeing you and getting your face and your name and your experience out there from all ages, all levels and just giving them hope for, to be employed.

Gary Pageau (8m 17s):
So Tony, can you touch on a little bit about the process? What if someone is interested in becoming one of these 10,000 folks, how that's going to work?

Tony Taafe (8m 28s):
Absolutely. So right now we are setting up an amazing process for those guys to go to the website when it's live, it's not live right now, but should be, will be very, very soon. We'll be putting the word out in media, different media platforms to direct people to the website where they can sign up they'll, they'll go on. They will, you know, almost 200 locations across the country where they will go into the, to the home page, go into the schedule or choose the time at the appropriate location for them.

Tony Taafe (9m 7s):
And yeah, it's like Lauren as being working really, really hard on, on the schedule. And she's, she's knocked it out of the park.

Gary Pageau (9m 18s):
Well the, well, the sitting take, do you think it's going to be?

Tony Taafe (9m 23s):
Done in 10 minute sessions? Yeah.

Gary Pageau (9m 26s):
So it's not like you're happy snap, 38 second school photo. There's going to be some time taken to yeah.

Tony Taafe (9m 35s):
Elements of, of the HR is really important. You know, the, my clients comment on, you know, they, they stand them trends with the lights and they're so stiff and self-conscious, and you know, those first firew shots are not going to be pretty. I'm going to be taking a bit of time giving them the right coaching, you know, to really get the best out of everybody who steps in front of the camera.

Gary Pageau (10m 6s):
Great. So after the photographer takes the pictures, Ryan, what's going to happen to those images?

Ryan Jacobs (10m 14s):
So the idea is that we want to get images to the people who are in them. So we're, we're able to do that onsite within a matter of seconds. And then the hope is that these individuals are able to post these to, to sign such as, LinkedIn.

Gary Pageau (10m 31s):
So just so we're clear this isn't like a iPhone type thing. This is actually what I would call a real camera. Right? There'll be a wireless DSLR enabled camera too. I'm sure. Professional lighting. So this is going to be an outstanding, outstanding portrait.

Ryan Jacobs (10m 49s):
We're operating in tethered environments. And then we have software specially for the software on, on computers that are able to help facilitate the sharing process. So pretty, pretty seamless operation.

Gary Pageau (11m 7s):
So Lauren, they've got 10 minutes to present their best self for this, for this photo. What do you recommend for someone who is, who is in the job market wants to participate. They go to Tony's site, they book a location, they show up 15 minutes early. They're nervous. How should they dress? What should they wear? They'd bring more than one and maybe a jacket and no jacket or what, what's the, what's the recommendation there?

Lauren Lieberman (11m 43s):
Great question. So my recommendation is always wear your power suit. Where are you? What, where, what you feel your best in for the job you're going for. So whatever, when you come there and to be present. So everyone's nerves kind of take, jump, jump ahead. But they're standing in front of the best of the best, where those are 10 dedicated minutes, where we will put all of our focus. Each photographer will be there to put their focus on that person. And we know the photog, every photographer knows their faces. They study their angles.

Lauren Lieberman (12m 13s):
So it's our job as photographers to make them feel your best. The lighting is huge. It's everyone is bringing their studios onsite. So we are setting up popups studios on location. So the lighting is key where everyone's going to look their best and that's our job to bring that out in them. So my best recommendation is just be present. Be there, give this time to yourself because there's so much nervousness coming around. You know, people are needing, needing these jobs, needing to pay their bills and they deserve this time.

Lauren Lieberman (12m 43s):
We really 10,000 spots. It's like, we, we want that one person to feel their best and everyone that's participating on it from the moment they sign up to the minute they walk through. And the moment they leave with their images is going to be an incredible experience.

Gary Pageau (12m 58s):
I think what this does sort of unconsciously though, is also reinforces the value of professional photography, right? That, that, that there is a value to the, the artistic approach. The, you know, like you said, you understand understanding someone's facial structure, understanding lighting, understanding posing. So I'm very hot. I'm very excited about this. I mean, this is a great idea to that

Ryan Jacobs (13m 25s):
To that end and just talking about the art of the headshot and this community, either Lauren or, Tony or tell me what you want to do, you wanna bring in anything on Peter and, and what the HeadshotBooker has done.

Gary Pageau (13m 39s):
Yeah. Yeah. Tell us more about what Peter Hurley is bringing to the table.

Tony Taafe (13m 45s):
Right? So Peter is, is one of the partners with HeadshotBooker as well. And so, you know, Peter spent years and years training thousands of photographers across the world, he knows a thing or two about head shots.

Gary Pageau (14m 0s):
I think it's fair to say he wrote the book.

Tony Taafe (14m 2s):
He literally wrote the book, literally wrote the book. So Peter obviously knows his, knows his stuff with head shots, we're using the network from HeadShot Booker to facilitate this to take the photos. These are gonna be photographers who've been trained the best, and they're going to be given that knowledge and I'm present then to people who come for free head shots.

Gary Pageau (14m 32s):
Well, this is a great opportunity. I think this is just a great thing and a good example of what people can contribute in this time of uncertainty and need. So I just congratulate you all on coming together for this. I think it's a, I think it's a great need that I think that is a unique thing that photography and photographers can provide. So can, once again, Tony, can you tell me the date of the event and how people can be involved if you're in the job market, if they're searching for a job?

Tony Taafe (15m 13s):
So the date is July 22nd, and they'll be able to go to the HeadShot Booker website and register over there for the, for the 10 minute session. Great. And Lauren, where are you going to be taking pictures?

Ryan Jacobs (15m 30s):
I will be in, I'm located in Florida. So I will be at a property called Meisner park. Nice. And we have lots of it. We have 200 locations, so many, many places for everyone to choose and hopefully grab a spot.

Gary Pageau (15m 45s):
And Ryan, are you going to be snapping somewhere?

Ryan Jacobs (15m 49s):
I'll be helping out behind the scenes. You know, we've we're, we were an early partner and, and I'll be coordinating with a lot of other partners that have come on board. It's it's worth mentioning that Canon, Photo Flash Drive, Tether Tools and some additional companies have helped out. This is the type of thing I've never seen anything like it. Tony mentioned the idea to me, anyone that we've talked to has wanted to participate in this, and we welcome anyone else. Our goal here is really to, to provide a VIP experience and help those that have been displaced with headshots and anyone that wants to be a part of that mission is, is welcome to get in touch with us, with www.headshotbooker.com.

Ryan Jacobs (16m 29s):
Great. And I will put a, your emails if that's all right in the show notes, if people want to connect there and thank you very much for your time, I appreciate it.

Gary Pageau (16m 40s):
And good luck. And hopefully we'll see some of you July 22nd, right? Take care.

Outro - Erin Manning (16m 51s):
Thank you for listening to the Dead Pixels Society podcast. Bring more great stories and sign up for the newsletter at www.thedeadpixelssociety.com.