With unemployment on the rise, many are turning to LinkedIn and other platforms in search of their next job. Now, there’s some local assistance for northeast Ohioans trying to get noticed.
“I’ve been a photographer for 33 years,” says Eric Mull.
Eric Mull has been capturing the best side of people for more than 3 decades. It’s a skill, like many others, that suddenly lost its consumers during the pandemic.
“I’m a corporate photographer,” says Mull. “So, I go into businesses and they come into me. Those have shut down, they’re not traveling. So, I’ve been kind of just waiting for everything to kind of open back up and everyone wanting to get moving again. Just like everybody else.”
However, instead of just sitting and waiting, Eric has decided to give back in the best way he knows how.
Mull says, “A lot of people I know are out of work and the first step a lot of people look to when getting a new job is now with social media, LinkedIn and other mediums, head shots. Everyone has a head shot, no matter what business you’re in.”
He decided to offer up free corporate head shots to those that are out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday. He’s trying to give the unemployed in northeast Ohio, a professional and fresh look as they’re looking for their next job.
“This is something that I could afford to give back. It was something that I jumped at,” says Mull. “Once I kind of was thinking of something how I could help, this was the first thing that came to mind.”
Of course, a good head shot needs to be done in person, but Eric says he’s taking all the necessary precautions.
Mull says, “You call me, text me. We bring you up one at a time. Keep one person at a time in the studio. We have hand sanitizer, we have wipes. We ask that you bring nothing in with you. Don’t touch a thing, all the doors will be open. Me and my staff will be wearing mask also.”
Eric knows with an unemployment rate of 14.7, the highest since the great depression, there are a lot of people that need an updated head shot. He’s prepared to get to work to help northeast Ohio, get back to work.
“Everyone who comes in who has lost their job, you text me and I’ll make sure that you get a time slot,” says Mull. “If I get 1,000 people, I’ll shoot 1,000 people. I’m not going to turn anyone away. If it takes me 2 days, I’ll take 2 days and you’re going to have the best photo of your life, I promise you.”
Eric is also donating $1,000 to the northeast Ohio nonprofit, Dress for Success and is calling on other companies to pitch in as well. His goal is to raise at least $5,000 to help people get back on their feet. If you’d like to schedule a head shot or find out about donating, you can reach Eric at (216) 233-9494.