The Silent Sabotage: How an Outdated Headshot Can Damage Your Brand
First Impressions Matter More Than Ever
In today’s highly visual world, your headshot is more than just a picture, or photo — it’s your digital handshake, your personal brand’s first impression (even when you’re unaware, someone is looking). Whether it’s on LinkedIn, your website, or in printed materials, that image shapes how people perceive your professionalism, credibility, relevance and your authenticity.
But what happens when your headshot no longer reflects what you look like today?
You might think it’s harmless to use that polished photo from five or ten years ago — but in reality, an outdated headshot can quietly undermine your reputation and leave potential clients or employers with a bad taste.
When the Picture Doesn’t Match the Person
We all age, grow, and evolve. Hairstyles change. Clothing styles shift. Your energy, expression, and overall presence may be completely different today than it was in that old photo. But when your headshot hasn’t kept up, you’re sending an unintentional — and damaging — message.
Imagine this: a potential client or hiring manager has seen your headshot online and formed an expectation of who they’ll be meeting. Then, they meet you in person — and there’s a noticeable disconnect. That moment might seem small, but it sparks a cascade of subtle but serious reactions.
The Emotional Fallout for the Viewer
Psychologically, humans crave congruence — we want what we see to match what we experience. When there's a misalignment between your photo and reality, it creates aversive feelings, including:
Disappointment: "This isn't who I thought I'd be meeting."
Distrust: "If they’re presenting an old image, what else might they be glossing over?"
Uncertainty: "Am I working with someone who’s not keeping up or who lacks confidence?"
Disengagement: The initial spark of interest or trust can fade quickly.
Confusion: Have you ever tried finding someone based off their profile image alone? Imagine they looked totally different now
These aren’t overreactions — they’re instinctive. People interpret visuals faster than words, and those first few seconds are hard to undo.
Brand Damage You Can’t Afford
An outdated headshot sends subtle signals that can undermine even the strongest resume or reputation:
Credibility: If your image is out of date, viewers may wonder if your skills are too.
Authenticity: In a world that values realness, an old or heavily edited photo reads as disingenuous.
Missed Opportunity: A current headshot gives you the chance to connect, build trust, and reinforce your brand identity.
In short, the disconnect creates friction — and friction costs you relationships and revenue.
What to Do Instead
The solution is simple and empowering: update your headshot every 2–3 years or whenever you undergo a significant visual or professional change (highly recommend). Choose a photographer, if it’s not me, who captures more than just your face — someone who understands brand storytelling and lower your walls, helping you show up as you.
Be confident in your current appearance — age, style, and all.
Dress as you would for a real meeting with a client (my brochure addresses attire, we’ll discuss further).
Most folks would say to smile; I do agree it adds “approachability” (key to great headshots) however, I never say, “smile” —instead I always elicit genuine, unforced facial expressions.
The Takeaway
You’ve grown. So should your images.
An outdated headshot doesn’t just look old — it feels out of sync. Today’s clients, collaborators, and employers want to work with people who are present, aligned, and authentic. That starts with a next-level headshot image that says: “This is me, right now — and I’m ready to work with you.” If you’re concerned about aging, remember that today is the youngest you will ever be.
Don’t let yesterday’s image hold you back. Update your headshot. Update your brand. Show up as the you people are actually meeting — and trusting — today.
