Do you want your clients to consider you a "real" pro? Then why are you using a headshot from 800 years ago?!

This is sad and funny all at the same time.  We made an appointment when we moved to VA 13 years ago.  We went to the home and waited for the agent.  A car pulled up and a guy got out, about 50 years older looking than the picture on the card we had, so we never bothered to ask him if he was the agent, and he just stood around!!  We never dealt with him, a man that can't even put his true identity by way of a picture on his card, who would want that.  Too many people put old pictures on their cards.  Get a new headshot! :)

Ralph - couldn't find the 800 yo pic but have contributed 52 year old pic and a recent update. Know what you mean about keeping current, even though the subject is deteriorating.

I'm with Larry - what a cool idea....although I would rather my properties and promotional efforts be the focus, I had to break down and have a photo done last year for my AR profile and Google+ profile.

Hi Ralph,

The answer to your implied question is easy.

We like how the old picture looks.

We do a new one and go -

I like how the old one looks better!

Phil

Ralph - there are a few agents locally who are loath to update their headshots....makes me wonder most times why....a good OUTDATED picture is just that!

Ralph, as I consider branding, I am wondering if a personal picture is the best. I recently decided to move to a picture of a covered bridge, note my picture. I have decided to do this as a branding move. It is something that has begun to emerge for me. I agree that a photo needs to be up to date, but is a photo the best way to brand our business. It is a question I have been pondering. I am a novice at this, but it is what is rattling around in my head.

Cal

BTW - I did have one person tell me, you actually look like your picture.

I know of an agent whose photo must've been taken when she was about forty. So, I thought she was a bout forty and conducted lots of business with her. When I finally met her in person, I couldn't get over the fact that this was the same person in the picture. She was actually at least 75. The business transactions were fine; it was just funny that she advertises herself as something different.

Ralph, many of us are uncomfortable in our own "skin".  However, we are who we are, and we need to be who we are, not who we were...

I had a new picture taken last year and I swear it hurt my feelings.  I am aghast that I don't look like my Mother, damn I look like my Father.  Oh well I thought about my graduation picture but in the end I put up the one that hurts me.  It is me.

Ralph, I'm so with you on this.  TOo many of the agents photos are so outated that they are not recognizable.  Better in a case like that to not put up a picture of yourself, but as Cal suggested, use a photo that brands you instead.

had a Realtor bring over a contract to me...from the pictures on her business card (from the first offer) I thought she must have sent her mom over with the final papers.

I have to be real careful not to double-take when I meet agents in person the first time. Needless to say the airbrushed glamor shots are a waste of money.

It's safe to say that maybe some should not have pictures on their business cards?

Ralph - I think face shots are critical in our business.  People have to be able to recognize us.  I was a real holdout on putting my picture on my signs and business cards, but I've learned that it makes a difference. 

But Ralph, I'm from California... my headshot has to be glam-worthy....  LOL

We've discussed this topic here on ActiveRain before, but I think you made your point by showing us an extreme example. Cute photo.

my pet peeve are agents OLD photos, and then I have to bite my tongue when I meet them in person I honestly thought one agent was pregnant LOL