If you are a business owner or marketing manager and are curious about the types of photos that you may wish to add to your professional Web site, take a look through these ideas.
Remember, there are many types of photo sharing, including photo sharing that you engage in with friends, photo sharing amongst family members, and, of course, photo sharing in a professional setting.
Some photos that you may wish to share simply may not be appropriate for the professional setting. Therefore, follow these simple tips to make sure that you keep your professional reputation up to par online:
Snapshot vs. Portrait
If you are thinking about putting a photo of yourself up on a professional networking site, such as LinkedIn.com, it is important that you understand that impact of uploading a professionally-taken portrait of yourself versus uploading a snapshot.
If you upload a portrait, your profile will appear to be professional, but it also may not have the kind of candid personality that you are going for with a professional networking site.
A candid photo, if well composed, may be more appropriate for some types of positions. For example, if you are the CEO of a high-profile firm, it would be inappropriate to upload a candid photo of yourself.
However, if you are an entrepreneur or small business owner, you may want to upload a candid photo that features your face. Make sure to smile!
On your Site
Many people struggle with the question of whether or not to put a photo of themselves on their own professional Web site. While a photo may help to "put a face to the name" for your clients, keep in mind that a photo may also help to dissuade them from working with you if it is inappropriate.
If you choose to put a photo of yourself on your Web site, make sure that it is a professional photo that shows personality. Many people have photos taken at a photo studio with a blue screen in the background. While this type of photo may work for some industries, endeavor to have a professional photographer take a photo that shows more personality and, perhaps, vigor.
Board Bio
If you are a member of an organization or are on the Board, you may be asked to provide a photo of yourself to include with a short biography. In many cases, you will want to provide a professionally-taken photo for this type of Web page. Candid photos are generally too casual and convey the wrong message for the professionalism of the organization.
It is generally okay to ask business friends and colleagues for their opinion on your industry before uploading a photo of yourself to your Web site. Also, remember that what goes up in your photo sharing section can usually come down if you change your mind.
