I have a few questions about your photograph, did you have it done professionally, or use something you already had? Do you or should you have it on your website? business cards or brochures?
Do you update your photo periodically?
Is there any security issues surrounding having it posted on the internet?
Well, Bernice, I am going to add my photo to my About page. It isn't professionally done, but it will suffice for now. I feel this "personalizes" a site, and potential clients get a visual of who they are committing their hard-earned cash to.
I don't plan on adding this to business cards, etc., just my website.
As far as security issues, I'm not real concerned. Wondering if I should be, though?
I think a photo of yourself is a good idea and I've been toying with it forever, but I don't want to scare people I'm considering having a friend take a casual shot of me (professionally dressed) with the van and its signage and dog (my office supervisor) in a nice setting of which we have many here.
I have my photo on some of my websites (not all), my profiles for online networking etc. I just used a photo that was actually a family photo and I cropped my family out of it so it's just me ( I won't put my kids' photos online) and I use that one.
I agree it does add personalization and trust if you place it for potential clients to see.
I have a profile page on my website that just tells a little bit about me and shows a couple of photos. Not too much, and not formal, just enough to personalize things a bit, as others have already explained.
I use a photo on my about page. It's not professionally done, just a snapshot I had. I'll probably have a professional photo taken at some point. I feel having a pic of yourself on your web site gives a bit more credibility since it lets people know they are dealing with a real, live person....I just hope mine doesn't frighten too many potential clients away. Now if I could just figure out how to get a photo on my posts here are VAF instead of the cute little kitty cat.
Thank you ladies for your input, I just don't know? If I find a good photo I may replace the stock one on my website, it has been years since the family has had a professional one taken and when we do take them on holidays, I don't like what I see. BTW the Avatar above does look like me.
I have a photo of me on my website as well as photos of me for all of my social networking profiles. None of them are professionally taken. The one on my website was just taken using a tripod and my personal camera and then cropped for posting.
There have been discussions here before about professional vs. personal and there doesn't really seem to be any real preference towards one or the other...but I seem to recall more people indicating they like more candid photos over professional ones. Either way, it should definitely be a clear photo of you that isn't too candid. Photos that aren't clear or only show you as a tiny speck shouldn't be used.
I wouldn't really worry too much about issues of security...if you're going to work virtual, you're going to have to have a really strong web presence and people are going to be more willing to want to work with someone that they can put a face to the name with. I would be more cautious about putting up my home address or other really personal information than I would be able putting my photo on the internet.
I have a photo of me on my website as well as photos of me for all of my social networking profiles. None of them are professionally taken. The one on my website was just taken using a tripod and my personal camera and then cropped for posting.
There have been discussions here before about professional vs. personal photos and there doesn't really seem to be any real preference towards one or the other...but I seem to recall more people indicating they like more candid photos over professional ones. Either way, it should definitely be a clear photo of you that isn't too candid. Photos that aren't clear or only show you as a tiny speck shouldn't be used.
I wouldn't really worry too much about issues of security...if you're going to work virtual, you're going to have to have a really strong web presence and people are going to be more willing to want to work with someone that they can put a face to the name with. I would be more cautious about putting up my home address or other really personal information than I would be able putting my photo on the internet.
Your Photo
I'm considering having a friend take a casual shot of me (professionally dressed) with the van and its signage and dog (my office supervisor) in a nice setting of which we have many here.
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