why not post your own photo in your profile pics?

1. 92

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   I think for many it is. Also quite a few people here have multiple accounts, so obviously wouldn't want to use their real photo for all.
   
   I use my real photo and have on;y one account.

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      David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, that could be one of the reasons. I have another account, and use something else.

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2. 60

   lyndreposted 12 years ago

   I use my avatar to keep my anonimity.I had to delete my last account as I was outed, and some of my hubs are of a personal nature and not even common knowledge to members of my family.

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3. 60

   evvy_09posted 12 years ago

   I mostly write about video games, so chose one of my favorite characters as my avatar.   I have posted a picture of my husband and me on one of my hubs. 
   And hopefully, one day Evvy will be a known name in video game news, leaving Crystal free to do something else.  The avatar is almost as cute as me.

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      David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I write a videogames too. A few other things, but there not my main topics.

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         evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         And you have great zombie tips.  I'm getting better. I was so bad at first person shooters and never played them on a regular basis before black ops

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            David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I remember when I was a kid, I hated first person view games. Now, there one of my favorite genres. Rpgs are good too. Mass Effect is sort of a hybrid shooter/rpg

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   2. 49

      warchild75posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have been known as my screen name for years as i have always been a gamer and it is common practice to have a gamer name,plus i like being anomonous.

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         evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         mine is close to my gamertag too.  Evvy is what I wish I'd been name when I was little and the 09 is a reference to my worst year.  I lost much that year but it forced me to grow and mature (for lack of a better word) .

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   Mark Ewbieposted 12 years ago

   I prefer anonymity.

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      evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I thought that was a self portrait Mark.

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         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It is.  I have seen him in person. Well, in a dream, but that's good enough, right?

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            evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

              Yes it is,  but some might find it weird that you dream about Mark.  Any details?

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               Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               OK, lol @ both. He's making it up.  I hope.

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                  evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Maybe not, Mark.  Some might find stick figures attractive. 

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                     Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Might they?  Hmmm.  I'll go and and sharpen my pencil.

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            2. 92

               Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I don't want to post details, because dream interpretation is close to an exact science and it would be too easy to get my Google or Amazon passwords from the dream.
               
               Also, it involved the precise date of the End of The World, and I do not feel you are ready for that yet. 
               
               Let's just say that Mark played a leading role and leave it at that.

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                  evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm not ready for that yet?   Don't let Evvy's cuteness fool you,  she is as tough as any modern day game character.
                  
                  Did Mark save the world using the single hair on his head?

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5. 64

   I am DB Cooperposted 12 years ago

   Nice try, FBI. This police sketch is the closest you'll get to seeing my identity!

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      

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6. 47

   arthurchappellposted 12 years ago

   Mine is a picture of me though people do assume i've put a photo of Bradd Pitt online to make myself look cool - lol!

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7. 79

   brandonhart100posted 12 years ago

   I've heard that having a personal photo actually increases sale volume.  Does anyone have an opinion on that?

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   1. 0

      Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe that explains why some professional writing sites now require the use of a personal photo.

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   2. 80

      Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. I have an opinion.  I think you are right, depending on the photo of course.  If the image fits the message you are selling - makes perfect sense.
      
      I need to write a pipe cleaning hub and watch my sales rocket.
      
      Seriously I don't think a joky amateur profile picture fits any kind of sales hub.

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   3. 72

      yenajeonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I completely believe it. I think people automatically associate certain ideas and images with a product. People may feel safer purchasing something/believing something if the writer is open. i.e. nothing to hide, revealing self etc.

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         Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         But Yena, looking at my picture will turn viewers into stone.  It's a public service I'm doing by not posting my picture.

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   Shadesbreathposted 12 years ago

   I am horrifically narcissistic. If I used my actual photograph, I would just fawn all over myself and never post anything.

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9. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 12 years ago

   I used mine for awhile--but, would you rather see a picture of an old lady or a cute little owl?

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10. 62

    Green Lotusposted 12 years ago

    Some people, myself included find that an appealing avatar or photo gets you more traffic. I used to use a big green lotus without a face. Now I'm a face with a small green lotus. The traffic improved almost immediately. Of course, more Hubs more traffic, but I still think the new photo helped

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11. 89

    WryLiltposted 12 years ago

    I don't mind using my photo on my main account, but my other accounts just have pictures of flowers or scenery.
    
    Who's to say that the photos you claim are of you, actually are? Sure, I might have a photo of a 20 something girl for my profile pic but who's to say that I'm not some 43 year old guy anyway? Not like a photo proves much.

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    1. 0

       Home Girlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       But your wisdom (or complete absence of it) does.
       Well, not always.
       I am me, could not find avatar that would reflect who I am. Who am I? 

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12. 84

    Maria Ceciliaposted 12 years ago

    sorry for some mistakes in grammar and missing words.....sometimes I think too fast that I thought my fingers were fast enought to catch up....

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13. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 12 years ago

    My wife forbade me!

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14. 95

    wildernessposted 12 years ago

    Some people break cameras, some people...well, lets just say you don't really want a new monitor!
    
    Besides, this little guy is a chick magnet.  I've received 12 marriage proposals so far - all postdated for 2030.

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15. 82

    tlpoagueposted 12 years ago

    I started out with an avatar but changed after getting bored with it. My husband had a horrible fit over me using personal pictures with a few of my hubs. I carefully explained to him that if children are plastering themselves all over facebook, what is a picture or two on hubpages. At least here it seems a little more secure. (Of course I am one of those people that sometimes walk in a cloud about these things.)

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16. 85

    rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

    I'm not sure what you mean by secure, as the site has a global audience. once your pic is uploaded to this site, it is now online. if you google your user name and click image, your pic will show up.
    
    so it's really whatever people are comfortable with. as others have said, it's not so much to hide our identity, but to protect our privacy.
    
    I've used a real pic when I first started, but like using an avatar that I think represents my writing and personality.

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17. 0

    klarawieckposted 12 years ago

    Because I'm hideous!

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    1. 59

       Julie2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh stop klarawieck!
       
       I guess putting up pics of other things aside from yourself is a reflection of what the person likes.

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       1. 84

          Maria Ceciliaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          agree, I love using my dogs' photo in my profile...it's only here at HP where I started using my own photo..

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             Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Your own photos, you mean. You have changed the picture very recently. I must wonder why, no offense or disrespect intended.

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             1. 84

                Maria Ceciliaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                even if I have nothing to explain I will tell you.... I have many blogs and it always involve my dogs, and when I submit an article in a pet magazine I talk about animals, before hubpages I was thinking of  another blog where my writing will not be only about my dogs, but also about myself and everything that I want to write about, then I found HP,  my using my real name is an indication that this is about me, and to justify it more, I post my own photo instead of my dog Peso, in case you didnt know, Peso is almost my trademark, he is in my email add, his picture in my laptop screen saver, at my cellphone, at my personal office wall etc.... now I changed my photo profile recently simply because it's new year... and in my other sites, I frequently change my profile photo, only here in hp where I seldom change it. hope that answers your question.. if not I am just a normal human being, I dont think I have an answer for you, you are just too deep.....

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18. 0

    Website Examinerposted 12 years ago

    Thanks Maria Cecilia. Everything looks good, I hope it all works out for you, and you've created a nice profile for yourself so far.

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19. 84

    CMHypnoposted 12 years ago

    Surely it is just a matter of personal choice and how people choose to express themselves?

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    1. 0

       EmpressFelicityposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Nah, that would be too simple!
       
       Personally I prefer using an animal as my avatar.  If I posted my real pic (that of a 40-something, greying and slightly overweight woman), I would do so in the sad knowledge that some people looking at my hubs would filter anything I write through whatever preconceptions they may have about 40-something, greying and slightly overweight women, rather than judging my comments/hubs on their own merits. 
       
       There's no chance they'll do that if my avatar's a cat

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          Julie2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          OMG! EmpressFelicity you are to funny...

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20. 81

    skyfireposted 12 years ago

    Uncle ben said once, with avatar comes great responsibility. So i always use avatars of responsible characters.

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    1. 59

       Myra Tylorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       i post my own picture

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       1. 0

          ssaulposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I guess nobody found me attractive since i never got a rude or provocative comment, lol.

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21. 65

    Daniel Carterposted 12 years ago

    It's easier to slam people when no one knows who you are or what you look like.

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    1. 0

       Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Lots of hubbers with faces and names have gotten themselves banned from the forums, though.

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22. 0

    Website Examinerposted 12 years ago

    Maria Cecilia, the Original Poster, apparently has felt that she was bullied in this thread by myself and possibly by others. In emails, she has expressed her decision to stay away from the forums to avoid encountering "someone like you." She has said that she is considering to report me to HubPages for fear that I will leave intimidating comments on her hubs. She has further suggested that I have written a hub attacking her and/or other opponents involved in this thread.
    
    All of this is unreal. As far as I am concerned, I and a few others took the liberty of disagreeing with the OP. Nobody was intimidating or attacking anybody. Not here, not on hubs, not in email.
    
    I sincerely hope that the OP will return to the forums, where she should be safe and comfortable that nobody will try to attack or intimidate her. However, she should also realize that this forum is intended for debate among adults. She cannot expect everyone, not even her friends, to agree with her all of the time.
    
    This will be my final post on this thread.

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       evvy_09posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Well she did say she was sensitive.  I just reread this whole thread and nothing said by you, me or anyone else who disagreed was attacking the OP.   I hope she comes to realize that no one is going to harass her for something that is so unimportant.

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          JD Barlowposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I use an avatar so that I can keep my privacy. It's hard enough to write without people judging you on how your look, etc.

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             Druid Dudeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             No, I'm actually a bush and a bench. Now you have to figure out which bush, and which bench. Thought y'all would be able to read the writing on the sign and bench. It's funny.

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23. 71

    Rafiniposted 12 years ago

    Oh, honestly!  hide or protect - the only difference is one is seen as honorable while the other isn't.  Who cares if I'm hiding my identity or protecting it?  It's my choice and has nothing to do with anyone else on this site...besides, I am using an avatar I found online, to Create an image, not to hide or to protect one! 

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24. 73

    Anna Evanswoodposted 12 years ago

    Avatars allow you to contribute to the web but in a way that doesn't endanger your offline presence. Once you release a picture of yourself on the net... you lose control of that image.. I am a teacher and would prefer that my students don't have access to my image.

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    janey_may79posted 12 years ago

    Funny thing is I have tried to post a pic for my profile but for some reason it will not save it.  Don't you just love us neewbies!    I will figure it out eventually it just wont be today.  I think your personal photo makes things more personable for your readers.  It allows them a short glimpse into your life and who you are.  As soon as I have the time to figure out why hubpages is not allowing my photo up I will repost it!  :0  I hope some of you are Broncos fans because that is the location of the photo! 

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26. 84

    Maria Ceciliaposted 12 years ago

    Just set things straight, I asked because I want to know, did not ask this post because I wanted to start a debate, but the debate that happened here was not about the question, for there was nothing to argue about, I was just asking why not post your photo, I did not say posting your original photo in the profile is correct and posting the avatar or whatever is wrong, i said that clearly for I once used my dog's photo in my profile, the dabate started with the words disrespectful, and have nothing to explain especially to those women who are posting thier photos and so on so forth....
    
    Yes forum is maybe is for debating adults but maybe depending on the topic....
    
    Do you always start a debate with someone asking a question to be enlightened? do you always treat all those poster who asked that way?
    
    This is my last post here for I guess this is enough to say my side.... I am transparent and what you see is what you get, I am not the type who comments nicely in here but the exact opposite in email.
    
    sorry fellow hubbers for this... I'll make sure this will be the last time I will react this way....
    
    Let's ll go back to the original topic which is why not post your picture in your profile? and I can see majority here who answered fairly..

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    1. 71

       Rafiniposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I'm beginning to think some people may have jumped to the wrong conclusions without checking out your profile (I only added to the debate, sorry, but I see I tend to do that sometimes....)  I noticed you're from the Philippines and am guessing English isn't your native tongue - that could have something to do with the confusion over hiding/protecting identity.  As you can see, the difference creates somewhat of a controversial topic.

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27. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 12 years ago

    This is just another example of the busybody attitude that's becoming way too pervasive on this site. There are too many hubbers that spend too much time judging the innocent actions of other hubbers and always have to know WHY.
    
    There are one or two other forums that I frequent on webmaster and affiliate marketing issues and this type of stuff is never part of the discussion.

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    janey_may79posted 12 years ago

    Well just to post my reply to the photo profile picture.  I did try with feated effort to get my profile photo to appear.  But for some reason it did not work out.  So after the hard work, I just decided on a beautiful photo from my vacation in Colorado.  Oh us newbies!  Gotta love us!    Hope you all will take some time and hop over to my hub to read awhile!  Have a great weekend everybody! 

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29. 77

    Pamela N Redposted 12 years ago

    I use my own picture. I can understand some using an avatar. I've had my pictures stolen before. Kind of weird. I'm not sure which is more strange, having your picture stolen or your writing. I've had both. I guess I should be flattered.
    
    I don't use my real surname. Pamela N Red is my pen name and works for me. My real name is too common and there are already at least three other authors that use it so I changed mine up a bit. Pamela is my real first name.

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