WWYD - Professional headshot (clicky poll)

[Susie]

My firm is in the midst of a website overhaul, and part of that is redoing our professional bios and, where appropriate, our headshot photos.  The goal is to keep material from being/looking dated.

I have been with the firm for 10 years; I've had one headshot done in that time.  I don't remember what year it was taken, but it was near the beginning:

*photo poof for privacy*

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the hassle of redoing.  (Most of the guys are not.)

Thoughts?  I am a poor judge of whether I have aged much in that time.  (I sure feel like I have!)  One one hand, it's a pain to redo, I'm 10 lbs. heavier since Hobbes and don't want to memorialize that, blah blah.  OTOH, I don't want to be one of those people who is difficult to recognize at events because someone was looking for someone who looks like my photo.  Eventually that will get to be true.  Plus I don't think the green shirt I was wearing is doing me any favors, and I was between hair styles.

I don't have any comparable style photos to assess aging, but this was me a couple weeks ago:

*photo poof for privacy*
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[dancelnow]

Definitely looks current enough. And I hate taken photos so I wouldn't

[kore2]

The headshot looks like it could've been taken last week. You don't look different at all! As long as that's the same style they're going with (vs the more casual stance pics), I'd keep it. You look great, and totally "you". It's not a bait & switch headshot. lol.

[jerseyjaybird]

You are totally recognizable from one picture to the next.

[Poppy]

I definitely think you'd be recognizable, and I like the one you've got! I don't think you'll ever get one that's perfect (eg the green shirt worry) to your own eye. Or at least, I have never seen a perfect picture of myself. I vote keep!

[BeagleMama]

It looks very current, let it ride!

[smock]

I'd definitely keep the head shot, it looks great! And if you don't like the green shirt, you can photoshop it a different color.

[Poppy]

BTW, sorry to distract, but can I ask for your hair regimen? I'm in a rut with my curls and yours look great.

[sfy]

I don't think you need to retake it. Candidly, you do look older, but not a full 10 years older. I don't see a difference in weight or any substantive difference in hairstyle. The outfit isn't dated and you certainly look enough like 10 years ago you, that if I saw you of today, I'd instantly know it was you quite easily.

[mbcdefg]

You really don't look like you've aged (or gained any weight) at all. 

The pic of you and Hobbes is lovely! 

[Awkward]

I agree you look like you've barely aged between the two pics. I don't even think you've noticably gained weight. I think unless they're doing a completely different style of headshot you should stick with the current one.

BTW I love the pic of the two of you in the tulips.

[Susie]

Thank you guys, you are all too kind.  (I also appreciate the candor, sfy.  I am older; I don't really mind looking it, as long as it stays roughly proportional to the actual passage of time!)

Poppy, I am super low maintenance with my hair.  Fingers only, no brush or comb.  When it's wet I use leave in conditioner and then mousse, twirl a few individual curls around my fingers, then air dry.  Products are all Garnier, nothing expensive.  Cuts are like once or twice a year, although I should stay more on top of it!

Jun 6, 2016 14:30:05 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I think you'd be fine to stick with it, but I might do a retake just because if they don't do photos again for 5-10 years after this round, your pic will be REALLY outdated by then. It might be good to have a 2016 shot for that reason?

I'm just thinking about the accounting firm partners I know who have 10-15 year old headshots.

That had been on my mind.  I mean, even if I'd aged significantly in the last 10 years, most people are still recognizable at 35 from a photo taken at 25.  But when you're 40, 45, a photo taken at 35 may serve you better than one taken at 25.  

OTOH, I wasn't sure whether I'd actually changed enough for there to be a material difference.  I think the big difference will come when I start to gray, depending on how I handle it.  I really haven't hit that point yet.
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[treedimensional]

OMG, there is no way I would not take advantage of a professional headshot. This is not even a question. If this is provided at no charge, I'd be all over it to save the hassle of claiming it as a business expense.
It's not that your current shot isn't gorgeous, or the fact that you have not visibly aged in 10 years. When you look back, wouldn't you rather HAVE a high quality, professional headshot representing every decade of your career and your life? If you pass on this, it is GONE.

[treedimensional]

Let me add a story- I go to a hair salon that has professional headshots of every stylist. It is obvious from looking a them that they are way overdue for another session. I didn't even recognize my last stylist.

[irene adler]

I would absolutely take advantage of this, even though it really isn't needed because you don't look like you've aged a day.

And the picture of you and Hobbes is lovely.

[raangoli]

You looks fabulous in both pictures. Sure, you've aged but then again it has been 10 years so it's to be expected. I feel like I look different even in the last 5 years. And probably the last 5 months to be honest. Motherhood does a number on you, but you look great!

[ESF]

Get a new photo. You look great now, and you should be proud of that fact. I'm not saying you don't look good in the current one, but you were a young associate then and it sounds like you wish you had made different choices for that one. There's really no reason to keep holding on to it. Celebrate that you are an accomplished attorney there now, treat yourself to a morning at the salon and a new blouse that makes you feel fabulous, and get a picture you really love.

[aurora]

Jun 6, 2016 15:19:20 GMT -5 bailarina said:

Jun 6, 2016 14:30:05 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I think you'd be fine to stick with it, but I might do a retake just because if they don't do photos again for 5-10 years after this round, your pic will be REALLY outdated by then. It might be good to have a 2016 shot for that reason?

I'm just thinking about the accounting firm partners I know who have 10-15 year old headshots.

I would redo, and the above would be my main reason. I also think you look better in a way the newer photo - sort of more confident and at ease. I bet a newer headshot would reflect that too.

I was also going to say I think you look more confident and mature (in a really positive way - professionally) in the newer photo. I think it's something about your smile.

But, the first photo is definitely good and I don't think you're hard to recognize at all, so I don't think it's necessary if you really don't want to do it.

[hbomdiggity]

I wouldn't do a double take at all and you've barely aged. and your face may even be thinner now.

But like ESF said, I think a new picture may exude confident partner susie vs young associate susie.

My firm is also doing a much needed website update and we were asked for feedback. We have some partners that are definitely holding on to the past (and hair they no longer have) with their 15-20 yo pictures. It's ridiculous. So don't be like them - get a new picture.

[lovinmyboys]

You haven't aged at all. Honestly though I think the current picture looks better.

[justjen]

Keep

[bears]

You look exactly the same. Keep the photo.

[LoveTrains]

I'm going to be the dissenting asshole - I think you should retake.

ETA: And I agree its because I think you appear more confident in the more recent photo. I think you will have your I'm a pulled together BAMF partner face on in the new photo. 

[shamrockshake]

I think you should retake it. I think you look better now

[steph96]

I agree with the others--you look great in both pictures, but you should take advantage of the opportunity for free photos.

[thedutchgirl]

I think you should retake it, in part so that it doesn't have a different look than the updated ones of your colleagues. I also would get your hair done or whatever at the salon.

I actually plan to get a new headshot later this summer. (We can kind of do them whenever. Mine is 4 years old now, and my hair is a bit different.)

[noodleoo]

You are so cute! And to a stranger (me) you look practically the same in both pictures! You are aging beautifully!

But I'd probably do a new one just because I like having pictures taken. If you don't like the new photo, can you just keep the old one?   That would be the only downside to getting a new photo is if you have to use it but end up liking the old one better. 

[Susie]

Thank you all for your feedback, and your kind words. 6/7 months postpartum, it is really nice to hear. I feel like I have a lot of balls up in the air and don't always feel like my best self, ha. But maybe you are right, and I should redo it. When I think about what I would wear now, it's less "string of pearls and job interview suit" and more something with some personal style, and maybe a more flattering color on me. Like royal blue.

[ECB]

Jun 7, 2016 8:44:12 GMT -5 Susie said:

 When I think about what I would wear now, it's less "string of pearls and job interview suit" and more something with some personal style, and maybe a more flattering color on me. Like royal blue.

I said "keep" but if nothing else, this is a good reason to re-do.  I agree w/ sfy, you do look older but not 10 years older and not in a bad way, at all.  You look great in both pictures. 

But getting a new one will give you the chance to make it more 'you' this time.

[brooke77]

I would recognize you from the two photos. Most of the headshots from my firm are so photoshopped I don't recognize my own colleagues!

I think you should get a new one. I think you look better now and you should take advantage of an update! If you hate them, you could always keep the old one.