The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the economy, with business closures, temporarily and otherwise, leaving many unemployed.

In Southwest Florida, which relies heavily on tourism and the service jobs it requires, the virus hit especially hard.

A photographer who just started a new studio in North Fort Myers plans to be part of a nationwide effort to help those who are unemployed put their best foot forward during their job search.

Alma Bruffy, owner of Alma B Photography, on Wednesday was among other local participants in the 10,000 Headshots project at Coastland Mall in Naples.

Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties (the mall owner) co-hosted photo shoots in all 50 states and create complimentary professional headshots that job seekers can post to any job search site and submit to potential employers, along with their resumes.

Bruffy did head shots at a studio in Cape Coral for two years before making the move to North Fort Myers in May. Before that, she did beach portraits until multiple red tide events caused her to adjust her plans.

Bruffy is now part of a “Head Shot Crew,” which is a group of photographers who specialize in head shots, which can not only be used not only for CEOs or actors, but for ordinary people’s employment search.

“We came up with an idea to do something for the unemployed because of COVID to get new professional headshots they can use for their resume,” Bruffy said. “It’s really important to present yourself online professionally and sophisticated. You can’t really use a selfie or a cheezie smile anymore.”

A professional headshot is a critical element when looking for employment. According to LinkedIn, people who include headshots receive 21 times more profile views and nine times more “connection” requests.

When not holding events like this, Bruffy does head shots at her studio. She takes these shots very seriously and is not afraid to challenge the people she is shooting.

“I can ask my clients if they can do certain things if they aren’t doing it properly. They can see the images on the laptop and I can correct them,” Bruffy said.

Bruffy said she looks for shots that express confidence and approachability and will direct them on how to appear that way.

“If you feel the need to see a chiropractor when you’re done, then I’ve done a good job,” Bruffy laughed. “I might have them crouch down, bend forward and to the right, in awkward positions.”

In the end, it pays off. The pictures look good and they portray people in a positive light. The sessions take between 30 and 60 minutes, with all pictures picked out.

Sessions are $200 each, with $65 for any retouched image. Clients are encouraged to bring several outfits, and women are encouraged to do a make-up session.

“My methodology has been created from the Headshot Crew. I train on a weekly basis, learning new techniques,” Bruffy said. “I won an award for my shots of MacKenzie Bart, meteorologist at ABC-7.”

Alma B Photography is at 3440 Marinatown Lane, Ste. 340. For more information, call 687-3940 or go to www.almab.photography.