Commentary
Don't Be A Dork: Get Your Headshot In Shape
- by dave.b , Max Kalehoff , August 6, 2010
I don't attend many industry conferences, but there were a few this past July where I noticed something peculiar: the head shots of many of the speakers used in event publicity and promotions were years out of date. Compared to their current real-life appearance, many of the speakers' headshots portrayed them with far fewer gray hairs and wrinkles, and an abundance of retro hairstyles and yesterday's apparel. This stood out like a sore thumb.
I won't name individuals, but I'll say this: Outdated headshots -- ones that don't resemble what you really look like today -- cast a dinge on your persona in a public setting. On one hand, if your headshot sports an old hairdo or aging suit, you'll appear dated. On the other hand, if your photo is from your glorious years of youth, it will portray you as clinging to the past.
In both cases, people will view your headshot and compare it to the way you actually look today, live in person. An outdated photo presents your audience with two versions of you -- especially if that headshot is being projected on a giant screen behind you on stage. The more it diverges from your present appearance, the more likely your audience will ignore what it is you have to say and, instead, direct their mental resources to analyzing the differences. And the more outdated your headshot is, the more it appears you don't care about your appearance or image. Or worse, it may suggest you're not comfortable with your current look.
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My advice? Have your photos updated once a year, or at least every two
years. The more natural your headhots are, the better. Also, it's best to have them taken by a professional. Instant, digital snapshots with a white-wall background rarely work.
Most
important, remember that your appearance will always change over time. However, you can always portray your best side -- the way you really look today.
Brother Man - you are too FUNNY... I couldn't agree with you more... Most folks in the "Biz", like to fancy themselves as "brand" savvy but sadly when it comes to their own "personal" brand - they fail horrible...
We must rid the world of these "headshots", not the people of course... That wouldn't be cool...
Happy Follow Friday - maybe we should make today Follow A Bad Headshot Friday on twitter...
@johnnyboyolive
Note to self: Get new headshot!
Same applies to LinkedIn. It should be up close, current and sorry, without your SO too. If you're not putting your best "face" forward - why should I be buying/selling with you? This does not yet apply, however, to Facebook although it may soon.
Timely post, as I was just talking to @mediabistro 's Greg Horowitz about this. I'm immediately reminded of the numerous online business and social network forums that I peruse for which the user profiles have *no* profile image uploaded. Working in the field of professional commercial photography, the excuse that often comes up when addressing this topic is "...but a new headshot is expensive and time consuming."
Profiles are our "handshake" in the online world. Not having an online profile photo is like not making eye contact when being introduced to someone. For factual backup, I liken it to the success rate published by online dating sites... simply put, users often say, "no photo equals no date." According to eHarmony's Advice Column, profiles with photos are nine times more likely to receive attention. Even eHarmony's CEO has cited that its "scientifically-proven set of compatibility principles" were no match (as per the site's original design) against no profile photo. Photographs of users instill trust in an online world, no matter the text associated with them. Since 55% of our population is visual in learning style; it is normal to assume that a profile shot will be remembered *first* when identifying one person vs. another. Given the sheer volume of profiles now situated online throughout various business related and social network sites; a user's photo is perhaps the only quick distinguishing factor between them. Don't judge a book by its cover? Though it may not be the fairest mechanism of recognition or choice, the reality tends to be that we as consumers (of romance, of friendships, and of information) do have a tendency to judge a profile by its recognizable cover artwork.
Brilliant, Max, and a wake up call to all of us professionally!