Newtonville based international photographer Pearl Parker is a rare and compassionate human being whose concern for the plight of the unemployed lead her to offer free portrait photos for those in the job search process. As word of her generous offer has spread through networking groups, she has taken around 200 portrait photos which have been used on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter and other social media which are crucial tools in the job hunt today.Since May, Pearl has devoted Monday evenings from 4:00 - 9:00 pm to what she calls “Headshot Monday” an opportunity for professionals to receive a free personal business portrait ($85 value) for use in online resumes, job boards, or social networking Web sites. “I came up with the idea as a way to give back to the community at a time when people are being laid off and struggling to find jobs,” says Pearl. “I remember hearing about the owner of a dry cleaning business cleaning jackets for people to wear at their interviews, and I thought that I could do something similar.”
In an era of social media where visual branding and self branding takes center stage Parker’s portraits or head shots become a priceless tool for conveying a crisp and powerful message. “The dynamics of job hunting have changed,” Parker says. “In the past, professional business portraits were used mostly by VPs and CXOs as part of corporate branding, but with the advent of websites such as LinkedIn, most professionals need a business portrait that supports their individual branding. This is where I can lend my lens.”
Parker is a consummate professional and anyone entering her home based studio Life on Film has to surrender to her rules. She sends out instructions and guidelines before the appointment and then makes a spontaneous judgment of the subject as they appear at her door deciding what pose, background and lighting to use. Depending on the comfort level of the model the shoot can be short and painless or long and tedious. Either way the end result is worth the effortApart from being an immensely talented photographer Pearl Parker, who was born on the island of Grenada, is a painter whose work is displayed in private and public collections throughout the world.
For more information about Headshot Monday, please call Pearl Parker at 617-595-3400, or visit www.lifeonfilm.com
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