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Profile Picture

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Whitney05posted 10 years ago
I've been debating this for a week or so now...

Do you guys prefer to use a picture of you or a picture of something else?

I see that many of you use picitures of yourselves, your children, spouses, pets, or other miscellaneous pictures.

Is there a benefit to using a particular type of picture?

I'm just thinking about replacing the picture of me to something else, and I'm just not sure about it yet.
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  makemoneyonlineposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I don't have a picture of myself because at the moment I want to preserve my privacy though it is well known in webmarketing that you should have a picture of yourself because it creates a more trustable impression to your readers that you are genuine.
  
  So clearly you'd better use a picture of yourself.
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Stacie Naczelnikposted 10 years ago
That's an interesting question. I like to use a picture of myself because I'm the writer. I guess I want to promote myself. If I ever used a picture of something else, it would have to encompass the topics I write about...and, I can't figure out what that would be.
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Prince Maakposted 10 years ago
Interesting question, sm ppl wnt 2 promote themselves and sm like me they dnt. I dnt think any picture benefit our hubs. But a gud profile or a gud picture attracts visitors smtimes.
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  trakker14posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  do you text a lot? cause your abrev are hard to decipher.
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Eileenposted 10 years ago
Good question, I'm kinda hooked on my picture right now, but I'm thinking of putting a picture of me or my pets. Just do whatever you want, remember, if you don't like it you can always change it.When I first joined I put a whole bunch of different pictures up and then i thought this one looked good, so maybe fool around and see what happens. =]
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Mishaposted 10 years ago
I second makemoneyonline. If you are selling something (and Amazon and Ebay capsules *do* count as selling), picture of yourself improves the trust from your customers...
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Paragliderposted 10 years ago
I'm undecided on this one. No-one out there can possibly know if a photo is genuinely of the author. Some high ranking hubbers are certainly using photos that are neither of themselves nor even of their age, gender etc. If I was trying to make a living here, I'd probably go for a pic of me, but as I make my living elsewhere, I've gone for a woodcarving that still conveys something of the persona I try to project. And at least it's a woodcarving from my own collection!
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  Peter M. Lopezposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Excellent point Paraglider. I suppose it is risky to be out there, you never know who you might offend. I, too, make my living elsewhere...I wonder who's watching?
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  makemoneyonlineposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Sure but you know the subconcious ...
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C.M. Vanderlindenposted 10 years ago
I actually just changed my profile photo this morning. Up until now, I used a headshot of myself, but I'm kind of sick of seeing it I replaced it with this photo because it still represents what I write about (home/garden/environment) and it's something cheerful and summery for me to look at regularly in the middle of a long, gray Detroit winter

I use a headshot almost everywhere else, exactly for the reason Stacie mentioned: I'm the author, so I feel like my photo should be on my work. I guess if I get another photo of myself that I actually like, I might put a headshot back up. For now, I'm sticking with the ladybug
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funrideposted 10 years ago
I supose I could find pictures more appealing than my owns lolol, but because I fell good with myself and more important have no intention to offend who ever read both my hubs and/or comments, I use my pictures in profile and even in some of my hubs .
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Whitney05posted 10 years ago
Hm... Thanks guys.. It's opened my view on things. I was wanting to protect my privacy by removing my picture, but I like the idea of created a trustworthy appeal to readers. I'm still undecided at the moment.

If anyone else has comments, I'd sure love to hear them!
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darksideposted 10 years ago
For the record, that photo of Whitney in her avatar looks just like one of my cousins.

So the trust factor is 100% here!
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Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago
I don't use a head shot of myself because of the risk of identity theft. All someone needs to make up a fake ID is your name, a head-and-shoulders photo, and your birthdate. If you've been silly enough to show your birthday on MySpace or Facebook, they only have to match them up and your identity is gone.

I know some people say your identity is at risk in lots of other places, but that's like saying there's no point driving carefully on a minor road because most crashes happen on the freeway.
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Whitney05posted 10 years ago
:-) Thanks darkside. I think I need a new picture...

Marissa- I totally agree with you. Although I have a head shot, do you think that it would be "stealable" as it is a side shot versus a frontal view? (I don't mean stealable, but would it be a picture someone would want)
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Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago
Whitney, I don't think it would be any good for a fake driver's licence or passport because they want a frontal view.
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  Lissieposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  
  Also smiling makes the photo unusable - if youve down a passport short recently you have to look straight ahead and not smile - its quite hard!
  I guess I use the photo because it captures my delight of the moment which I was feeling, its a candid shot by my partner. I have an unusual surname so I would be pretty easy to trace if someone wanted to - but I dont think I am cute/young/rich enough to be a target to be honest ROTFL! And yes I am proud of what I write on the internet and if an employer objected they could put their job in a place the sun doesn't shine - I don't take kindly to employers controlled what you do out of hours. To be honest though if I was doing adult stuff I would probably use a pseudonym so as not to shock the rellies!
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  prasadjainposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Personally, I feel we should use our own pictures. Using someone else's picture often misleads. I don't think witney05 needs to change her picture. We have accepted her as she is.Unless one is celebrity, and wants to avoid public nuisences, he/she need not hide himself/herself.
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  vietnameseposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That's how I felt! I am one of the celebrity, so I am not going to post my pix.....hehehehehehe.... but when I do post it, I will probably not a celebrity anymore! heheheehehe
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  RUTHIE17posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Yes, but even with a side shot, several of the photo programs out there can turn it around to a frontal view.
  
  At least, with your pet in the picture it would be harder to do--but still doable, I think.
  
  Use a picture of a model you find somewhere or use a picture from a long time back when you looked completely different or use a picture of a relative you admire.
  
  Just a few suggestions. As you can see, I prefer the "something else" picture.
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Whitney05posted 10 years ago
That's what I was thinking, but thought I'd ask. As if I choose to do an update, it too will be from the side. I hate taking frontal pictures.
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Jackilynposted 10 years ago
can't wait 2 see your picture!
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Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago
Lissie, not smiling could work for the passport, but there's no restriction on smiling for a drivers' licence. And actually, I don't remember being told not to smile for my Aussie passport or my British one - so maybe it's just a Kiwi thing?
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  Lissieposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  
  Certainly in Brisbane, and also in NZ - you don' t supply the photo it's taken by them on their gear straight onto the license (its not a separate photo) - I'll let you know what the deal is in Perth when I swap over next month!
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  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Yes, in NSW and Victoria the drivers' licence is taken by them at their office, but I've never been told not to smile - I'm certainly smiling on my current one! Passport photos you supply yourself - my last photo was pretty un-smiley, but I do recall that in my previous UK passport, I had a big grin.
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  casparposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Definitely you're not allowed to smile on British passport photos - they have very strict rules. I think the only people allowed to smile are babies - but they must have their eyes open!
  
  I don't know about British driving licence photos - mine hasn't got a photo, it's an old one just printed on paper. If I change address (or get speeding points), I think I have to get a new one with a photo on.
  
  I don't use a head shot on Hubpages (or anywhere else online) to protect my privacy (also I'm kind of shy). But I am thinking about posting one. It does certainly give readers a feeling of trust, from my experience.
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cabinboyposted 10 years ago
Post your pic, Of course thats easy for me to say because I am so darn good lookin.
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Robinson Rexposted 10 years ago
I like to have the anonymity of not having my picture online. But that being said, I really like being able to see peoples faces as I read their posts. It really makes things feel more personal.
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relacheposted 10 years ago
Not only do I use actual pictures of myself, I tend to use the best pics of me that I can. The one I use here was taken by a friend of mine who is a professional photographer. When deciding which picture to use, I also paid attention to where my face was in the shot, so that when it appears as a smaller avatar, my HubScore isn't over my face.
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daflaposted 10 years ago
I remember when Daniel Steele first came out, she refused to have her picture on her book jackets, then she started having one with a hat pulled down over her face, or something. She wanted to preserve her privacy for awhile. It took until everyone already knew who she was that she started putting her picture on her books.

I'm like that. I want people to read what I wrote, not look at me, not that I'm anything to look at.
Same theory as the one behind super skinny models...look at the clothes, not the model.
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chabrenasposted 10 years ago
That's a nice pic you use at the moment, but if you feel that it doesn't match the mood or content of what you write here you could change it. The obvious non-human candidate in your case is a Pit Bull Terrier
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sevenGEINposted 10 years ago
My photo is of the two most amazing people in the world... Kudos to anyone who guesses who they are.
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seamusposted 10 years ago
This is a good question. For the time being, I'm using a photo I took. I'm concerned about identity theft and and am protective of myself online.

I do use Facebook and am careful about what information I share there. Someone mentioned not having your bday. I have the month and date but not the year. I wonder if I should remove the month/year?
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Inspirepubposted 10 years ago
I did a stint as a contracted temporary manager in passports, and I can confirm that a neutral expression is required for Australian passports, too.

The photo guidelines have been tightened up dramatically in the past 4-5 years, because they are moving to computer face-recognition technology, with a bio-chip embedded in the passport document itself. All new NZ passports are biochip - and that's when they switched from 10-year to 5-year passports for adults, when they brought that in.

You will find that you need to look straight ahead, have a neutral expression, pull your hair back, and in most cases remove your spectacles, in order to get a photo that passes muster.

On the plus side, once they get the technology installed everywhere, it will be faster to go through Immigration.

On the minus side, well, ask the conspiracy theorists ....

Jenny
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  Lissieposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  
  the biggest rippof yet -the of course didn't half the price -they in fact increased it. And its not realy a 5yr passport -its more like 4.5 yr passport as most countries require the passport to be valid for 3- 6 months after entry! And as far as I can find NZ is the only country that has gone to 5 year passports - and we have such a HUUUUGE security problem (sarcastic smilie here)
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Mark Knowlesposted 10 years ago
But don't you feel safe from terrorists now? Where is that sarcastic smilie?
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Inspirepubposted 10 years ago
NZ is merely leading the trend - they're all jumping on the bandwagon.

Australia, if it hasn't already, is certainly planning on doing exactly the same thing. And Americans needn't smile smugly, because I believe Australia and NZ are going down this path because the US has announced a date after which it will issue biochip passports and require arriving visitors to have them, at least from countries whose citizens can get automatic short-term visas.

The next step is embedding the biochip under your skin of course ... where did I put that smilie ...?

Jenny
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akeejahoposted 10 years ago
So, who uses pictures of their pets?
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  Whitney05posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I've thought about it, but I kind of like the idea of my own picture. Makes it more personal as others have said.
  
  Although, I think I'm going to change it later today to a different picture (still of me).
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Shirley Andersonposted 10 years ago
Hey Lissie, how long is your passport good for?

Ours have been 5 year forever.
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  Lissieposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  
  My UK one is good for 10 years, my ozzie for 10years and my NZ for 5 years - I hadn't realised that about Canadian ones! And the NZ one if you have to apply back , or send back your application to NZ - including getting a signature on someone who's know you for 5 years - which is highly inconvenient if you are living elsewhere - and NZers hardly ever do that! <sarcastic smile!>
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privateye2500posted 9 years ago
If you have that fear.

Use a picture of someone else.

Not a *thing* - people want to see a face - doesn't mean it has to be YOURS. :}

OR -- you can *make a face* like stick out your tongue - that isn't going on a passport!

Besides, it takes a whole lot more than a photo. If someone steals your identity, they are not likely to use your real picture anyway - trust me on this one. I *know*.

Recently a doctor friend of mine had her Identity stolen and they cleaned out her bank account; she did something really stupdi to make it easy for them but that is beside the point - the damage was done, she phones me up - what do i do...blaa blaa. So, I fixed it.

She said if it hadn't been for me-they'd have probably moved into her home before she caught on! LOL!!

It certainly had NOTHING what so ever to do with what she looks like. A photo.
Nothing.
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  Mishaposted 9 years agoin reply to this
  I bet you are using someone else's
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  privateye2500posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Oh I am SO much better looking than that! I kid you not.
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  Mishaposted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Being addicted to your writings, I am dying to see your real pic, please!
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  privateye2500posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  You ARE? Addicted to my writing/rambling/weirdness?
  
  Gee, I am speechless!
  
  Write to me privately and I will send you the url so you can see the *real me*
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  privateye2500posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Come on - don't be shy -- then you can secretly know how awesome I really look!
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  privateye2500posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Pictures of pets...hmmm. I just bet there are people out there who would actually believe a dog wrote a hub. LOL!
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weblogposted 9 years ago
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Mishaposted 9 years ago
Request sent
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akeejahoposted 9 years ago
So whats so silly about a dog writing a Hub?

Oh, and I use this picture cause my master won't let me use the camera anymore.
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tdruskposted 9 years ago
I like to think that having your picture does help. I may not know his name or exactly what he looks like, but I do know that there is a balled guy from problogger.com that writes good tutorials.

Honestly, I was attracted to a girls hub because she was cute before. Sad but true.
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balisunsetposted 9 years ago
I live in a tropical island and I photographed some sunset pics....so I think I put that sunset pic as my logo everywhere

I have pick a good and easy to remember name...

hopefully this will build up a good brand recognition

beside I don't think my face will sell well.......LOL
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Veronicaposted 9 years ago
A lot of people brought up a lot of good points on this.
I'd like to add two things. The first is, don't use a pic you do not have permission to use. Whether it's someone's photo or artwork, it's copyright infringement, which is stealing.

And the second is, I think if you're trying to build your readership, your avatar should be consistent.

Personally, I'm a professional ghost writer and my anonymity is important to me. I got my "eye" artwork from a graphic artist (credited in my profile) and have been using it since 2005. I consider it my signature. It's on my blog, my myspace, my hubs, on any columns or articles I write, It's on the T-shirts of my blog, etc. Everyone knows it's me.
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Paragliderposted 9 years ago
I agree with Veronica, about consistency, anonymity and ownership. I live in a place where to criticise openly can lead to imprisonment and/or deportment. So, while I don't indulge in anonymous 'sniping', it still makes sense to write as 'Paraglider'. And I feel that if you are not going to use your own image, it is more honest to use an object, animal, graphic etc than an image of someone else.
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