Posted by Alice/MD on 7/29/12 8:33am
Msg #428518

Profile with Photo

What advantage is there to having your photo in your profile here on NR ? I just want to know the pros & cons.

Reply by HisHughness on 7/29/12 8:47am
Msg #428519

I think you have framed the question wrong.

It should be, "Is there a disadvantage if I don't include my photo?"

NotRot profiles include a spot for a photo. My instant reaction, when I see a profile without a photo -- as in your case -- is, "Why is there no photo here?"

There are rare cases, perhaps, where including a photo might not be best. When you're as ugly as a mud fence, as in my case, you might want to consider leaving one out. Nonetheless, I do run a highly personal business. Borrowers are urged to call me even late at night if they have questions, I haul around toys for their kids, etc. If there were spots to include photos of Lucy the Chihuahua and Peeby the Parakeet, and my recipe for homemade ice cream, they probably would go in my profile, too. I think it creates a connection between me and a potential client before we ever meet.

Also, if a potential client is a widow with a bass boat, liquor store, trust fund and big chest, she doesn't have to chase me down on any of the Internet dating sites to check me out.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/29/12 9:41am
Msg #428524

I just take a horrible picture...so therefore have no

current photos of myself that I'm comfortable with or that I feel are worth posting on a profile.

Reply by Jodith/WA on 7/30/12 4:13pm
Msg #428679

Re: I just take a horrible picture...so therefore have no

I also take really horrible pictures, so I went out and had professional photos made. I found a great photographer who gave me a great price for electronic only photos, since I only wanted them for website use. I think it does present a professional image to have a photo on your various profiles as well as on your business website.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/29/12 9:49am
Msg #428525

Photos instill a sense of trust and professionalism... if, of course, the photo is professional. I'm certainly more inclined to trust or refer to somebody with a profile that includes a proper head shot. Let me add that self portraits from your bathroom mirror don't count.

I've seen some profile photos here are are far from professional and I don't really get it. But that's just me.

I know a few people who feel that a photo isn't helpful because they don't want to be judged by their looks, skin color, etc. I find that ides to be ridiculous, but I suppose there are some idiots out there still who choose by photo. This isn't' a dating profile... it's a professional service.

My own photo is one my sister did for me. She's a professional photographer. I wanted something slightly less formal than a standard head shot. I think it works well for me. BUt you don't need a pro... a simple head shot from your cell phone camera will work as long as it looks decent.

Reply by bfnotary on 7/29/12 10:13am
Msg #428531

I need to get a picture of just me. The only head shot picture I have of myself is Me at my wedding. But that doesn't really count. I have my hair all done up, and doesn't even look like the every day me. I believe the one i am using here is of me and the husband. Maybe that is what I will do this week, I should have a little time to do that considering eom is over. We shall see.

Reply by bfnotary on 7/29/12 10:18am
Msg #428533

I stand corrected, my profile picture is from like 2 and half years ago. It is me, my husband, and my oldest daughter, (she just turned 4 yesturday). I figured that would work til I get my head shot photo done. But that pic will change soon I hope.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/29/12 7:43pm
Msg #428598

I couldn't find a photo of myself I liked, either, especially a recent one and I resisted posting one for a long time. But I found a photo of myself and three other friends taken by a professional photographer at a function where one of them was being recognized as "most inspirational volunteer" for that year. I happened to be wearing a black pantsuit that day (appropriate professional attire) and it turned out pretty well, so I just cropped myself out of it. (It was sent to me in digital format, so even I could manage to do that...) It's more than a couple of years old, but like someone else said, it's not like this is a dating site! It works for me and has helped people find me when we're meeting somewhere other than at their home.

I think a decent photo can help put people at ease about having you come to their home or trusting you with their personal documents, especially if you just look like a normal, non-threatening individual with a professional appearance. Have you ever met a real estate agent (or loan officer, for that matter) who didn't have a photo everywhere, even on their business cards? They also usually have them professionally done, so they clearly feel it's a very important thing to do.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/29/12 10:39am
Msg #428536

"I've seen some profile photos here are are far from professional and I don't really get it. But that's just me."

When I had a signing service this is one notary I passed up. The photo was not what I expected a professional notary signing agent to look like.

http://www.notaryrotary.com/agent/details.asp?ID=&RPID=1AAA00012178&RID=60EC0FECBC327CFC063495B19CBC8F4D&back=1&src=1242&l=&ll=

Reply by Carolyn Breckenridge on 7/29/12 10:49am
Msg #428538

LOL That is so funny. I bet she gets a lot of late night calls.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/29/12 11:09am
Msg #428540

But Sylvia!!! She's an American Gladiator! n/m

Reply by bfnotary on 7/29/12 11:26am
Msg #428542

Omg, and I thought mine was a tad bit unprofessional. Lol. Maybe I will keep mine. holy smokes.

Reply by HisHughness on 7/29/12 11:30am
Msg #428544

Now there's a thought

I'm envisioning myself in a Speedo ...

Reply by bfnotary on 7/29/12 11:51am
Msg #428549

Re: Now there's a thought

o my....

As I sit here and erase my thoughts on that one....

Reply by Susan Fischer on 7/30/12 12:29pm
Msg #428648

Nnoooooooooooooooo...<erasing image> n/m

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 7/29/12 11:52am
Msg #428550

You are lookng GOOD, Sylvia. Guess that those exercises

that I sent you are working.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/29/12 11:55am
Msg #428551

Maybe she does something else on the side?

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/29/12 9:43pm
Msg #428607

WOw.... yeah, based on that, I probably wouldn't refer to her, either. I mean, I'm sure that's a fine achievement, but what does it have to do with being a professional Notary? Also, it's clearly an OLD photo, too.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 7/30/12 12:05am
Msg #428620

Good pic Marian. N/m n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 7/29/12 5:24pm
Msg #428589

Unless you've got a lobster growing out of your head, I think it's a great idea to have a photo in your profile. It kind of removes a lot of mystery for the client who may be thinking of hiring you, from your photo, that you don't have many facial or oral piercings, braided armpit hair, dreadlocks, tatoos.

That you're just "appropriate" person for the job, at least physically, visually.

You know what I mean, right?