The current coronavirus pandemic has cost millions of people their jobs. Between approximately 20 and 40 million people were left unemployed in the USA alone. But a team of photographers decided to make an effort and change something. They started an initiative called “10,000 Headshots,” where all these headshots were done for free, across the USA, and in a single day.
Headshot Booker is the organization behind this “largest, single-day photo initiative.” It gathered 200 photographers to take 10,000 professional headshots of unemployed people across the 50 states. They can later use these headshots in their resumes or on LinkedIn. Including a photo on LinkedIn increases the chances of connecting with potential employers. This platform claims that people with a photo on their profile receive 21 times more profile views and nine times more “connection” requests.
10,000 Headshots took place this Wednesday, 22 July. It was open to anyone who is currently unemployed, with pop-up studios at Brookfield Properties retail locations. The organizers note that all social distancing and safety measures were respected during the shoots.
Lauren Lieberman, co-founder of Headshot Booker and CEO of LILA PHOTO in Palm Beach said: “We want everyone coming through 10,000 Headshots to have a wonderful experience and look to us as a support network.”
“Finding a job is hard work. Our hope is that, along with a great professional headshot, they will leave the photo session with a greater sense of confidence and purpose, knowing they are making an investment in themselves and their future.”
Although it’s far from solving the current unemployment problem, I think this is still a wonderful gesture. And I think each of us can do our part, because if each of us does a little – it adds up and becomes a lot, right? So if perhaps you’ve been wondering how you could help your community as a photographer, this can be one of the ideas.
[via PetaPixel]
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