Here is a hot topic, why include or not include your picture on your site

**Virgo Nightingale** · 03-05-2008, 07:20 PM

In most instances, I think it's tacky to include a photo of yourself on sales material. Unless you're already famous (and thus your image becomes a selling point) or a model or actress where your looks are a deciding factor for a casting director or talent agency, I don't see why it it would be there. I've never understood the whole real estate profession's narcissistic obsession with plastering agents' photos all over their business cards, etc. I don't care what you look like, just sell me a damn house.

Spunky Nerd · 03-05-2008, 07:30 PM

I think it's a cheap sell out, but I would consider it. I am getting pretty desperate... maybe I should do this and then send my things out to all male dominated companies to I can get a job finally, I would like to think I am easy on the eyes...

**morea** · 03-05-2008, 07:34 PM

I don't think it's really a "hot" topic.

I agree with Virgo, it seems rather tacky and vain. I mean, are you selling your design services, or "other" services? If you're selling your design services, it doesn't really matter what you look like, does it? Let your work speak for yourself. Do you think that someone is going to hire you based on your looks instead of your knowledge? If so, you might be in the wrong line of work.

Also, it's not necessarily wise to post a photo of yourself along with your name, address and phone number online... you can end up with stalkers and all sorts of unpleasantness.

bejamshi · 03-05-2008, 07:48 PM

interesting point friends

**morea** · 03-05-2008, 07:54 PM

are you going to post YOUR thoughts, bejamshi?

Jackimalyn · 03-05-2008, 07:58 PM

Ive seen a lot of designers render neat pics of themselves (PLEASE dont take your photo and put 16 PS filters on it, thats not what I'm talking about)

I mean using your picture as part of your identity. Someone in my class
made their portriate in Illy, looked great, put it on her business cards and such. Showed off her pen tool skills and people could look at her resume/business card and remember her visually from her interview. Another kid in my class did her face out of typeography, that was neat too.

but no, i wouldnt just slap my pic on everything. Unless I become a used car salesman or real extate agent. then i think you are required to.

SpugNothuson · 03-05-2008, 08:18 PM

A picture of myslef and my minions is on my website. But its an Easter Egg.

The_Black_Knight · 03-05-2008, 08:26 PM

I put my picture as big as I can on my web site, that way everyone sees how big the picture is and says, "Wow, what a big picture. This guy must be important. We need to hire him right away!"

CkretAjint · 03-05-2008, 08:31 PM

I would never do it. I think it looks cheesy and retarded, especially since everyone picks the 'nice picture of themselves' to post up... Of course that picture was 10-15 years ago and they look NOTHING like it anymore. It only shows how old they really are.

**morea** · 03-05-2008, 08:37 PM

there are people out there who prejudiced based on age (an employer several years ago told me after an interview that I had a solid resume and seemed very knowledgeable but she was looking for someone older), sex, race and any number of other things. Some people hate long hair on a man, or tattoos, or they might not like your taste in clothing. If they like your work and don't know what you look like, it won't come up... but if you post a picture of yourself on your website, those people may just move along without even taking a look at your portfolio because something about your physical appearance turned them off.

Now, you could say that you don't want those people as clients anyway, but most of us can't afford to turn away paying customers.

vtwin_gary · 03-05-2008, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Spunky Nerd

I would like to think I am easy on the eyes...

this is useless without pics.

**morea** · 03-05-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by Spunky Nerd

I think it's a cheap sell out, but I would consider it. I am getting pretty desperate... maybe I should do this and then send my things out to all male dominated companies to I can get a job finally, I would like to think I am easy on the eyes...

as I mentioned in another thread, be very careful with this kind of thinking. It can lead you into all sorts of bad places, like setting yourself up to be sexually harassed (read: hostile work environment) or stalked.

If you go about it the wrong way and your application lands in the hands of a female hiring manager who recognizes this tactic and is not amused, it could easily backfire.

If you're a qualified applicant, you'll find a job on your own merits. Don't make it about your appearance.

(Edit: This attitude contributes to the stereotype that female employees are not actually *qualified* for their jobs, but get there by sleeping with the right people or shoving their breasts in people's faces. As a hard-working female employee, I find that rather offensive.)

Fredonia2k · 03-05-2008, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by morea

as I mentioned in another thread, be very careful with this kind of thinking. It can lead you into all sorts of bad places, like setting yourself up to be sexually harassed (read: hostile work environment) or stalked.

If you go about it the wrong way and your application lands in the hands of a female hiring manager who recognizes this tactic and is not amused, it could easily backfire.

If you're a qualified applicant, you'll find a job on your own merits. Don't make it about your appearance.

(Edit: This attitude contributes to the stereotype that female employees are not actually *qualified* for their jobs, but get there by sleeping with the right people or shoving their breasts in people's faces. As a hard-working female employee, I find that rather offensive.)

This too, is useless without pics.

SurfPark · 03-06-2008, 12:35 AM

Just wondering...who is actually arguing that having your picture on your own marketing materials is a good idea. I don't think I've ever had this debate with someone because most people agree that a headshot does not add anything to the portfolio.

The only people I've seen adding their photos to their marketing materials are real estate agents. Its always going to look cheesy no matter how its done.

Here is a hot topic, why include or not include your picture on your site

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