What does your profile picture say about you?

As we approach the New Year with fresh ideas and new goals and objectives, it is also a good time to refresh our profile photographs on all of our social media sites and on ActiveRain.

For those of us that wish to project a professional image in our communities, great care must be given to profile images that project the first and perhaps the last impression.  When your personal photograph is outdated, unclear or poorly presented, it is fair to assume that we handle our business in the same way. 

It may be fun to share photographs of children, pets or have joint photographs, but these are certainly not images that we would place on business cards.  Your personal profile picture should be current and it should represent you as you in the image that you wish to be remembered. 

For many, today is a great day to take another look at the photographs that are in our profiles.  Best wishes to all for an outstanding New Year and continued success.

Would you select the real estate agent with this profile picture to sell or finance your two million dollar home?

Earthy Pottery Studio Farm Animals IMG_2086

 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

 Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. 

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group 

Client Assistance:  301-670-8996   

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

 
Post is included in group: ActiveRainPhotoBlogger
Post is included in group: EXPRESS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACTIVERAIN
Post is included in group: Great Shots!
Post is included in group: Photos
Post is included in group: Silent Saturday

162 Comments on What does your profile picture say about you?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
04
2012
593,078 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I agree with you Roy, I think we should always show a professional side as you never know who will run across our blog or comments somewhere. I never say anything I would be ashamed of and I believe nothing is secretive on the web. I think my profile picture says "Call Me".

I like your profile picture as you are wearing a nice blue shirt and smiling. You tell people you are nice, professional, honest and competent. Great article Roy!
1:08am • #145
1,445,292 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks, Kristin, for your comments on this topic.  I think it is a good idea to have frequent changes of our profile pictures. I do appreciate your kind words about my profile photograph which is a snapshot by my wife, Dolores.

 

Happy New Year!

A Longwood Christmas - Poinsettias IMG_2397

 

Photograph by Roy Kelley.  Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

 

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
8:40am • #146
FEB
18
2012
1,445,292 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I just noticed that this post has been viewed over 8,000 times,
11:14am • #147
873,128 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow, Roy, that is  LOT of views! Congratulations on writing such a popular post and I totally agree with you. We just did new pictures last year.

Sharon
11:28am • #148
182,824 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Roy. LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos of the flowers, so vivid! Your picture should reflect who you are in the current and not the past. I also believe in being different to stand out. I hope my picture reflects that.
11:34am • #149
1,445,292 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks so much for your comments.

Cheryl:  I am glad to know that you enjoy our flower photographs. 

Have an outstanding weekend.
12:03pm • #150
1 Featured Post

Great post! I have always used a very professional photo of myself and have often wondered if my photos are too professional. But, my photos reflects who I am, and that is good
12:14pm • #151
1,032,482 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Roy- I had to return to this post to say again that I agree with you.  It's fun to see the different "characters" that are in some of the Profile shots but in the end we want to see just who is the person behind the blog. Besides... I loved seeing all of your beautiful photos again. 
1:09pm • #152
937,923 Points 51 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roy - I would only choose that profile picture (chicken) if I was hoping to sell a chicken ranch.  It might work for Foster Farms or Tyson:-)
1:59pm • #153
433,606 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Roy, I truly believe in having a professional photo. Thanks for posting today.
2:01pm • #154

LOL I wrote a blog on  a similar subject this morning:

Like many of us, I too hate having my photo taken. I would rather have a tooth pulled honestly. I prefer to be on the other side of a camera, just ask my family. However, it has been nearly 5 years since my last photo was taken. My hair is greyer, shorter, well I have put on a few pounds, & of course, age is starting to show its signs. So I am due.

There are real estate agents out there though that still use photos from 10-20 years ago. Many of whem, when I met them face to face I didn't know who they were because in the photos I have seen they were blonde 40'ish without glasses. Now they are 60'ish, grey haired with glasses. GET A NEW PICTURE! If your fellow agents can't recognize you how do you expect the public to know who the hell you are. lol In Quebec, they have now made in mandatory for real estate agents to update their photos at least every 5 years. A good practice in my opinion. Of course, its not only the age of your photo but how you appear in it. There is a local agent in HRM that took a picture of the back of his head to put on all of his ads & business cards. Yes! It is different, but isn't the point of being in sales is for the public to be able to know who you are & what you do. Take a moment & look at your photo that you have on your business card, facebook page, twitter, active rain, etc... Are you smiling? Do you look approachable? Are you arms crossed ( psychology class taught us that crossed arms gives the impression of being guarded & unapproachable )? Does it look natural or overly staged? Do you look professional ( professional does not mean stiiff & in a suit, it means clean, not offensive. When looking at your photo, do you think, I would call that person for a beer, for a good time, to clean my house, or to represent me when I am making the biggest purchase of my life? ).

Yes! I agree, after looking at my own photo, I am due! I am going to wait until after I return from my vacation South so that I am not so pasty white though lol
2:34pm • #155
1,117,027 Points 117 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Roy you re-visit a very good post.  It's kind of amazing what people use these days.  And I must say I so enjoy your photos.  They're always a breath of fresh air!!
6:01pm • #156
476,426 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'd rather see the picture of a chicken than a 20 year old photo of an agent who's too cheap or too vain to get a new one made.
6:23pm • #157
FEB
19
2012
1,445,292 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for your comments.  With over 8,300 views, this topic must be of interest to many.

Have an outstanding week!
5:36am • #159
413,197 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have never understood why someone would use a picture that didn't accurately represent them as a professional.
6:56am • #160
387,333 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Why, yes, yes I would at least contact that agent - why?  Because we have chickens and I love them!  I would hope to find a kindred spirit...plus that photo screams "quirky" and "weird" to me, which may well end up being much more fun than a staid run of the mill professional.  ;-)

I'm kidding...well, a little...but your point is well taken.  Some photos are just too ridiculous to be believed and project the wrong image.
9:06am • #161

keeping your profile picture update keeps you up to date on the rest of your marketing material
9:20am • #162

We have an agent in town that uses her College graduation pricture.  Probably 20+ years old.  I guess she's reaching out to her old college crowd. 
10:12am • #163
1,445,292 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It is always good to have feedback on my blogs. And, I do appreciate the re-blogs.

Have an outstanding week.
12:51pm • #164
145,762 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roy~Congrats on the feature and great point. Good thing your added photo wasn't a turkey instead of a chicken otherwise I would of had to give you a hard time. :)

Have a AWESOME week!
5:53pm • #165

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Img_2076 Rainmaker_large

Roy Kelley, Montgomery County, MD Homes For Sale

Gaithersburg, MD

More about me…

Roy Kelley and RE/MAX Realty Group

Address: Roy Kelley, RE/MAX Realty Group, 6 Montgomery Village Avenue, Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD, 20879

Office Phone: (301) 921-4569

Email Me

Roy Kelley advises home buyers, sellers and REO asset managers, in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. REO and foreclosures sales. Market area includes Montgomery County, Frederick County, Washington County and Prince George's County. Real Estate blogs


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog