9 Reasons to Update Your Headshot Every Year
As social media and online marketing practices become more prevalent, yearly headshot updates are becoming standard practice.
A question some people have: Why shouldn't I keep using the same photo I took five or ten years ago, especially since I liked the way I looked more back then?
It's true that we had less lines and blemishes on our face when we were younger, and maybe our hair was even thicker with fewer grays. But who are people meeting every day when they see you in real life?
The truth is, using an outdated headshot can, at best, come across as though you're not concerned with how you appear to others, and at worst can come across as a deliberate attempt to deceive them.
Here are nine key reasons to update your headshot once a year:
It's true that we had less lines and blemishes on our face when we were younger, and maybe our hair was even thicker with fewer grays. But who are people meeting every day when they see you in real life?
The truth is, using an outdated headshot can, at best, come across as though you're not concerned with how you appear to others, and at worst can come across as a deliberate attempt to deceive them.
Here are nine key reasons to update your headshot once a year:
- An outdated headshot makes your bio and resume look outdated as well. If anyone meets you in real life and your headshot no longer looks like you, they will question whether the successes on your website, resume, or portfolio are actually current, or if those successes were from many years ago when you were younger. They might wonder whether you are still successful?
- You'll keep yourself top of mind, meaning more opportunities. Every time you update your photo on social media pages such as LinkedIn, your profile update appears on the feeds of those you're connected with. This means lots of people will see your new headshot and start thinking about you. The more people who are thinking of you at any moment, the more likely an opportunity might come your way instead of going to someone else.
- Updating your headshot frequently shows that you are successful, which helps build trust. The older your headshot is, the less successful you'll appear and the less trust people will feel. In most cases, we want to work with those who are successful, and the fact that you update your headshot often means you are likely successful.
- You'll get more variety with your shots, which helps you keep up with trends. Updating your headshot every year means you'll stay up to date with industry trends and build a variety of images that can be tailored to different uses. You'll quickly learn what types of backgrounds work best for you and what people respond well to, and over time the headshots will become more and more effective.
- You'll get better and better photos. With each new headshot session, you'll gain experience on camera and learn which side of your face works best, what type of lighting looks good, and how to get confident, approachable, and relaxed expressions easily. Better headshots means better opportunities because you'll look more experienced and confident in your photos.
- You'll become more confident in real life. Believe it or not, most of our insecurities show up the moment we step in front of a camera. The headshot process itself builds confidence and unconsciously allows you to create a stronger internal representation of yourself. With each session you do, you'll become more confident and happy with yourself for the rest of your life.
- Your image will be an accurate representation of you. On a daily basis we ask our clients why they're getting new headshots, and many tell us that clients said to them that they don't look like their photo. Using a photo that doesn't look like you can create distrust and cause people to question whether you have any other motives for not showing who you really are.
- Successful people don't hide what they look like. Although this point might be hard to swallow, it's the truth. The older your headshot, the more retouched it is, and the more hidden your face is, the more people will question whether you are truly confident in yourself and whether you'll do a good job working with them. An outdated headshot can signal to others that you may some insecurities they won't want to deal with. This is a harsh point but is an unfortunate truth with the way we as humans judge one another.
- If you don't frequently update your headshot, you're unconsciously keeping those around you from achieving success. Why? This one might feel like a stretch, but it's actually 100% true if you think about it: Updating your photo every year shows you're someone who pursues success, and that will inspire those around you to do the same. Most people think others will judge them as self-absorbed if they post new photos often, but the the truth is, although it might appear that way on the surface, the reality is that you'll actually be helping others. They'll see you getting new photos and will feel okay updating their own headshot too, and so everyone will move up the success ladder together. By not breaking the mold and being okay with self-promotion, you'll be unconsciously influencing others to stay where they are too.
But it's too expensive to update each year!
Is that what's going through your head? Well, if you divide up the cost of a headshot, spending $250 per year is equal to $0.68 per day, which is less than what most people spend on a cup of coffee.
Additionally, we have a great offering where you can subscribe for free and be entered into our Monthly Headshots Drawing. Each month we give away a $650 headshot package that includes makeup to one lucky winner, and it's free to enter.
Win the Essential Headshot by signing up here!
Additionally, we have a great offering where you can subscribe for free and be entered into our Monthly Headshots Drawing. Each month we give away a $650 headshot package that includes makeup to one lucky winner, and it's free to enter.
Win the Essential Headshot by signing up here!
The Takeaway
Martin Bentsen, City Headshots® Founder
As an overall takeaway, you should update your headshot each year so it shows you take your career seriously and keep your image fresh. If you don't, your headshot might be less effective.
I commend you for doing your research ahead of time, because it means you're putting in the work to ensure your shoot goes as smoothly as possible.
Knowing how often to shoot new headshots is only the very beginning of the things you need to know so you don't make a mistake that could cost you hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars.
Further Reading:
I have a great page called Get the Greatest Headshots of Your Life with a bunch of extremely helpful info. If you sign up to access everything, I'll send you the page, along with adding you into our monthly $650 headshot drawing! Click here to sign up and get the goods.
I commend you for doing your research ahead of time, because it means you're putting in the work to ensure your shoot goes as smoothly as possible.
Knowing how often to shoot new headshots is only the very beginning of the things you need to know so you don't make a mistake that could cost you hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars.
Further Reading:
I have a great page called Get the Greatest Headshots of Your Life with a bunch of extremely helpful info. If you sign up to access everything, I'll send you the page, along with adding you into our monthly $650 headshot drawing! Click here to sign up and get the goods.
