ANN ARBOR, Mich. (March 20, 2023) – Beginning today, the University of Michigan LSA Opportunity Hub will offer free professional headshots to all U-M LSA undergraduate students. The headshot booth, located inside the Hub on the first floor of the LSA building, will be open during regular business hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Dr. Joslyn Johnson, assistant dean of student development and career initiatives, said the headshot booth will break down barriers by unlocking never-before access to professional headshots, as many students are on a tight budget and can't afford to hire a professional photographer.

“It can cost anywhere from $200 and $500 to get a professional headshot at most places,” Johnson said. “We’re really excited about this new initiative, as it’s the first time we’re seeing a self-service photography solution like this at LSA.” With the Hub’s headshot booth, students won’t have to worry about financial barriers.

In addition to being a free service, the Opportunity Hub is using a drop-in system. For students who may be bound by time constraints, they can drop by the Hub and take their headshots without making a significant time commitment — no formal appointment is necessary. The team at the Hub estimates the experience to take about 7 minutes. Once the headshots are taken, students can view, edit and download them via the Iris Booth website.

Having a professional headshot has become increasingly important in the age of online recruiting and iPhone selfies. Will Ramadhan, a second-year Applied Economics student and Opportunity Hub Intern, said that having a professional headshot is imperative, as it can help build credibility among recruiters, hiring managers, and employers who find students or soon-to-be graduates online.

“Not everyone has the privilege of accessing the resources needed to obtain professional headshots,” Will said. “I am grateful that the Opportunity Hub is providing this service and breaking down barriers to access.”

Nada Tadros, communications manager at the Hub, said that investing in this solution wasn’t just about creating access — it was about helping students build up their professionalism and credibility in the eyes of potential employers, prospective clients, and more importantly, in the eyes of themselves.

“In a very direct way, the headshot booth will help students see themselves as professionals and debut that professional self to the world,” she said.

As of now, the Opportunity Hub’s Professional Headshot Booth is only open to LSA undergraduate students, but the organization is currently exploring ways to open up access to non-LSA undergraduate students and beyond. 

 

LSA Opportunity Hub

The University of Michigan’s LSA Opportunity Hub is a transformative career exploration center for undergraduate students of the liberal arts and sciences. We work with students as they develop their aspirations and professional identities, provide access to internships and funding to support those experiences and connect them to employers and U-M’s extensive network of alums. We believe in the power of a liberal arts education and we design opportunities for engagement so that all students can pursue purposeful work and meaningful lives.

Contact

Avery Jones

jonesav@umich.edu

989-293-2965