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Professional attire offered by University Photography for headshots

When walking through the doors of Laurel Hall, a rack of dress shirts, ties, jackets and button-down shirts greets you. The reason for the stash of professional attire? Headshots. 

Judy Johns, director of photography, and her photography staff see many students, faculty and staff who are often in and out the door to get quick headshots taken for professional uses. It's a free headshot service for all Chanticleers, offered as part of the University 110 course on campus.

Carmaletia Keene teaches management and decision science in the Wall College of Business as well as a University 110 course, and she brought her class to photography this semester for the headshots.

"As a business professional, I think it is extremely important that our business students have a good sense of professionalism," she said. Each of her freshmen are required to create a resume, and she introduces them to LinkedIn for the networking benefits it offers. 

"The resume and the profile picture are two instruments that potential employers will view before meeting our students, so we want to ensure that these two items are professtionally presented," she said.

Other professors feels the same way, and as the headshot service for students started growing in popularity, Johns quickly noticed that not everyone who came in for a professional headshot had the appropriate attire.

"If someone forgets their clothes that day, needs a headshot quickly or if a student does not have access to professional wear, we have these to offer them," said Johns, referring to the rack of men's and women's business attire. 

The professional attire collection has been used quite a bit this semester for the introductory University course, which includes 26 classes with an average of 20 students per class. 

Student-athetes and coaches have shirts, ties and blazers prepared in advance so that they can come straight in, change and have their photograph taken. Coaches also drop off student-athletes' uniforms so students who are not able to make their scheduled team time can come at a convenient time and still get an updated shot. 

The collection will continue to grow with help of donations. If you'd like to donate a piece of professional clothing, contact Johns at 843-349-2923.

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