30 Reasons You Need a New Headshot
I posted on LinkedIn EVERY SINGLE DAY in April. One reason a day why you need a new headshot. All real stories, the faces are my own to protect the guilty…
REASON #1 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE BLANK GREY OUTLINE
If your LinkedIn profile picture looks like that little grey outline of a person (in other words: non existent), it's time to call me.
REASON #2 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE SELFIE
If your LinkedIn profile picture is a selfie… it's time to call me. Your profile photo should say, “I’m the pro for the job,” not “I was bored in the car.”
REASON #3 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE CROP-OUT
If your profile photo is obviously cropped out of a group shot — you know, an arm hanging around your shoulder, someone else's hair still visible — it’s time to call me.
REASON #4 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE VACATION PHOTO
If your LinkedIn profile picture was taken on vacation… it’s time to call me. You’re not here for a margarita — you’re here to make connections. UNLESS… you're a travel agent, work in the travel industry or you're retired. 😜
PS If you work in the travel industry and want some on-location photos at your next exotic destination, you should DEFINITELY call me. ;)
REASON #5 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE GLAMOUR SHOT
If your headshot recalls the words "Glamour Shot" without a second glance, it's definitely time to get an updated headshot, perhaps something a little more 21st Century?
Thanks to my dear friend Jennifer Buchholz for bravely supplying me with this gem of a photo. And no, it's not actually her current headshot. She knows a modern-era photographer with a DIGITAL camera! lol 😉 🤦♀️ 😅
REASON #6 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: YOU'RE A PUBLIC SPEAKER
If you’re a speaker, coach, or consultant… and your headshot is anything less than professional, clean and captivating. It’s time to call me. PLEASE don't be that one person on the panel who sticks out... for all the wrong reasons.
REASON #7 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: NO FACE
If your face is barely visible in your profile photo — too dark, too small, or covered by sunglasses (or lord help me, a mask!) — it’s time to call me.
REASON #8 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE PET PHOTO
Are you a vet, a dog trainer, a cat groomer or in the pet industry? Do you work at the zoo? Will your pet actually answer the phone when I call?
As much as I adore your pooches, unless you can honestly answer YES to the questions above, share a picture of your pet in your feed - just NOT as your profile picture. And it's probably time to call me for a new headshot.
(I also photograph pets, so maybe include yours in your next family portrait!)
REASON #9 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE AI FAKE-OUT
If your profile photo was made by AI… it’s time to call me. People want to see you, not a polished-but-generic version of you.
UGH. Because I HAD to share an example, I took one for the team and asked the interwebs for an AI-generated headshot. 🤦♀️ It hurt my soul, but I did it FOR YOU. The result is clearly awkward, fake and totally not me. 😳🫣 My daughter even said, "They gave you red lipstick!" 💋 (never!) My favorite part might be the scarf stapled (?!?) to my throat. Oy.
REASON #10 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE FAMILY AFFAIR
If your LinkedIn photo is of you and your kids… it’s time to call me. Family portraits are wonderful — but your career profile should be just you.
I love my kids. I love your kids. I love seeing pictures of your kids (I'd really like to TAKE pictures of them, hint hint) ...but NOT for your LinkedIn profile photo. It's time to call for a new headshot.
REASON #11 WHY TOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE CELEBRITY CAMEO
If your profile photo includes a celebrity… it’s time to call me. Sure, it was cool to meet them — but unless they’re endorsing your work, they probably don’t belong on your LinkedIn.
Although... please DO share in your feed, because that's just lots of FUN! And then call me for a new headshot.
(Yes, that's me and Ed Sheeran. 🧡 Aren't we cute? I wonder if he's even on LinkedIn...)
REASON #12 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: DO THEY MATCH?
It's Saturday, I'll keep it simple.
HERE'S A QUIZ:
1. Look at your LinkedIn profile photo.
2.Look at your reflection in the mirror.
---> DO THEY MATCH???
If not, it's time to call me for a new headshot.
OK.... Go back and look again. This time, no lying. (I know you. 😉 )
REASON #13 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: WORKOUT SELFIES
Did you just workout? That's FANTASTIC! I'm so proud of you! But it doesn't need to be your LinkedIn profile photo. Even if you work in the athletic or fitness space, you can still get a professional photo BEFORE your WOTD. Call me for your new (non-sweaty) headshot.
REASON #14 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: WEDDING BELLES
If your LinkedIn profile picture is from a wedding... then it's time to call me for a new headshot. And trust me when I say, everyone can spot a "wedding photo" a mile away. 😱
REASON #15 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE CELLPHONE PHOTO
Is your LinkedIn profile picture from a cell phone? It may be cute, but it's still not a professional photo worthy of representing you and your business. It's time to call me for a new headshot. Again, you're not fooling anyone. We can tell it's a cell phone shot. Sorry. 🤷♀️
REASON #16 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: SO HIGH SCHOOL
Is your LinkedIn profile photo from high school? Are you still in high school? That's it then - you need to show the world you're in your next era and get yourself a professional headshot.
The question I constantly ask myself: would I have been a Swiftie at 16? (Probably, yes.)
REASON #17 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE ACTION SHOT
Is your #LinkedIn profile photo an action shot?
-behind the scenes
-speaking/presenting
-sitting at your desk
-in the audience
It's SO fun to see you hard at work, PLEASE share these pictures with your audience (in your feed)! But call me ASAP for a new headshot.
REASON #18 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE COMPANY LOGO
If your profile photo is your company logo… it’s time to call me. People want to connect with you — not just the brand.
REASON #19 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE BOOZY PHOTO
Is there a drink in your hand in your LinkedIn profile photo? (Or even a whole bottle, lol!) Unless you own a brewery, winery, a coffee company or drink ware company, put the drink down and.... please call me for a new headshot.
REASON #20 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: SELFIES R NOT US
It's been at least a week since I mentioned this one... I'm repeating it for the people in the back. ⚠️ If your LinkedIn profile photo is a selfie it's time to call me for a new headshot. ⚠️
REASON #21 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE BIG PROMOTION
Congratulations! You've been promoted! I'm so excited to hear the fantastic news! Do your company (and yourself) a favor - when the press release is sent out, use a freshly updated professional headshot. You don't want to want to diminish your value right off the bat, do you? Be prepared and call me for a new headshot for your next press release.
REASON #22 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
Did you just attend an amazing conference and want the whole world to know about it? Tell them -- in your FEED. Not as your LinkedIn profile photo.
Bonus points: Let's talk about the next time you attend that conference -- you're attending as a speaker. 🙌 #goals 🙌 Be ready with your professional headshots.
REASON #23 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE WRONG VIBE FOR YOUR INDUSTRY
If your headshot doesn’t reflect the tone of your industry… it’s time to call me. Whether you're buttoned-up or laid-back, your photo should match your role.
Example: medical doctor with dark and moody portrait = terrified to use them because they look like they're hiding something
(I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV but here's a dark and moody photo of me.)
REASON #24 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: YOUR HAIR
If your profile photo shows you with an old hairstyle… it’s time to call me. People should recognize you from your headshot — not ask “Who’s that?” on Zoom.
Here's a QUIZ --
1. Look at your LinkedIn profile photo.
2. Look in the mirror.
Is your hair longer, shorter, a different color, a different style or do you have more/less of it than in your photo? Then it's time to call me for a new headshot.
REASON #25 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE HOODIE HEADSHOT
If your headshot is more “hoodie and weekend vibes” than professional presence… it’s time to call me. A great headshot doesn’t mean formal — but it should mean intentional.
REASON #26 WHY TOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: THE “TEN YEARS AGO” PHOTO
If your headshot is a decade old, we need to talk. You wouldn’t wear 2015 fashion to a 2025 interview — don’t let your photo be a throwback.
REASON #27 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: FUTURE PLANNING
Do you want to be a speaker at a conference or workshop? Are you going to be on a panel of speakers at your office? Don't get caught without a professional photo. PLEASE don't be that one person who sticks out... for all the wrong reasons. It's time to call me for a new headshot.
INSIDER INFO: I have served on PPA's Speaker Selection Committee for several years, and I can tell you this -- if you apply to be a speaker or presenter and you use a cellphone photo for your headshot, YOU WON'T BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
REASON #28 WHY YOU + YOUR TEAM NEED NEW HEADSHOTS: HERE'S A TEST:
Are all the headshots of your staff completely mismatched and seemingly thrown together? Do they all have.... -different backgrounds -different angles -different perspectives -different lighting -different tones (black and white/color or… gasp… filters) Then you ALL need to get new headshots. I can even come to your office and get them all done in one day.
Be like this fabulous group and have a clean, consistent and professional look across the entire company.
REASON #29 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: PERSONAL BRAND LAUNCH
If you’re building a personal brand or launching a business… headshots are one of your most powerful brand assets. Changing up your company's look? Same rules apply - it's time for new photos that reflect the change and upgrade to your brand. TIP: You won't ever regret getting professional photos taken for your brand from the start. What WILL be more challenging is recovering your first impression from using photos that don't serve your brand. People have already formed an opinion, so make it count from the start!
Lisa with Rebel Girl Marketing gets it. Her branding photos are always right on par with her mission. 🔥
REASON #30 WHY YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT: CELEBRATING A MILESTONE
If you just hit a milestone birthday - or company celebration! - and want to mark the moment… it’s time to call me. A fresh headshot is a powerful way to say: “This is me, right now.” Sabrina came in for brand photos to celebrate herself and her accomplishments. She wanted to say just that -- "This is me!" ⭐
If you haven’t already, here’s the button to click — schedule your new headshot today!
