You know the one. That headshot taken nearly a decade ago at your cousin’s wedding, or maybe in the office car park on a sunny day when you happened to be wearing a nice jacket.
At the time, it felt like a good enough picture. But here you are, still using it on your LinkedIn profile, your website, your email signature. The years have rolled on, but the photo hasn’t changed.
So why do so many people hang on to an outdated headshot, even when they know it no longer represents who they are?
Let’s be honest. Updating your headshot can feel awkward. No one loves stepping in front of the camera unless they have to.
There’s that inner voice that says you haven’t changed much, or that no one will notice.
But here’s the thing: people do notice. And if you’re still clinging to a photo from eight years ago, it probably has very little to do with convenience. There’s usually something else going on.
For many, it comes down to confidence.
Maybe that older image caught you on a particularly good day, or before your hair changed colour, or before the stress of running your own business started to show on your face.
Perhaps you liked the way you looked back then more than you do now. That’s entirely human.
But when your professional image doesn’t match the person clients or colleagues meet in real life, it creates confusion. It can even chip away at trust.
Others simply forget to make the update. Life is busy, especially when you’re running a business or managing a growing career.
Sorting out a new headshot falls to the bottom of the list, just behind “redo website” and “organise receipts for the accountant.”
The problem is that your headshot isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s part of your personal brand.
People often see your photo before they hear your voice or read what you have to say. If your image looks like it’s from another era, it can make your online presence feel neglected or out of date.
Then there’s the issue of familiarity. We get attached to the photos we know. They feel safe, comfortable. They’ve served us well over the years.
But that sense of comfort can be holding you back. A headshot should reflect who you are now: your experience, your energy, your style.
A well-taken photograph has the power to show professionalism, warmth and approachability all in one frame. It helps people feel like they already know you, even before you’ve met.
If you’re in business for yourself, your headshot does even more heavy lifting. It’s part of what reassures potential clients that you’re professional, capable and worth their time.
An old or poor-quality image can quietly suggest that you don’t take your work seriously, even if that’s far from the truth.
The good news is that getting a new headshot doesn’t have to be painful.
You don’t need to put on a stiff suit or pose in front of a grey backdrop unless you want to. A modern headshot can be natural, relaxed and taken in a setting that suits your style. It can show personality while still feeling polished.
And with the right photographer, the process can actually be enjoyable.
Think about where your photo shows up: your website, your social media, your Zoom profile, your business cards, maybe even press releases or conference bios. These are the touchpoints where people form a first impression.
Isn’t it worth making sure that impression is true to who you are today?
One of my clients, a local business owner in Cranleigh, recently updated her headshot after using the same one for nearly ten years. She told me she had been putting it off for ages, worried that she wouldn’t like how she looked in new photos.
But afterwards, she said it felt like a weight had lifted. Her new images looked like her. Not a younger version. Not an idealised version. Just her, looking professional and confident.
And the feedback she received from clients and colleagues was overwhelmingly positive.
Another client, a charity leader from the Surrey Hills, explained that she felt out of step with her own branding. Her photo showed her in a role she no longer held, with a look that didn’t match her current position.
After we updated her images, she said she felt much more aligned with the work she was doing now.
You deserve to be represented as you are, today. Not just for the sake of your brand, but for your own confidence.
When you see an image of yourself that reflects your current self in a good light, it can be surprisingly powerful. It’s a reminder that you’ve grown, that you’ve achieved, and that you’re ready for what’s next.
So if you’ve been using that same old headshot since before your youngest started school, or since your business was still just an idea scribbled in a notebook, it might be time for a change.
Ready to update your headshot and show the world who you are now?
Get in touch today to book a relaxed, professional photo session here in Cranleigh or the Surrey Hills.
Let’s create an image that finally feels like you.
