How Often Should I Update my Headshot?

A headshot is a professional, high quality image that becomes a keystone of your personal brand. It is used to present you and your essence to the world in a wide variety of business applications, such as your website, your Facebook profile image, or your LinkedIn profile.

New headshots allow you to connect with your audience and show yourself as you look in the present moment. For many professionals, staying current is paramount and a new image is a way to promote yourself, market your services, and maintain an up-to-date brand.

How often you update depends on the use of your headshot, but chances are you will want to update it more often than you expect. New photos can keep prospects interested and connected to you, especially on social media and LinkedIn.

The following circumstances may indicate it’s time for an update: 

1. New Look

Your look may have changed a great deal since your last headshot. A change in hairstyle is always a good time to update your photos, so people know what to expect when they meet you in person. And if your fashion has been updated — you might be changing your personal brand or adopting a new wardrobe — it’s a good time to update your image.

2. New Career

Your career, work place, or client base may have shifted and a new image can be a great way to mark a shift in circumstances. 

3. Shift in lifestyle

You may be experiencing a time where you feel at your personal best; this is the best time to get your newest image! That fresh energy will be conveyed in your updated photo.

Timing for Updating Your HEadshot

Ultimately, any change is a good time to refresh your headshot, but, as a rule of thumb, every 6-12 months is a good amount of time for most situations. After all, we all change a lot in a year and it’s good to get new energy around your image, especially in professional circumstances.

If you are getting headshots for a company or organization you may want to consider updating the images every couple of years to keep a fresh image.

As a note:

Being up-to-date is not enough. You need a high quality headshot to really present yourself in the best light. A professional photographer takes into consideration many technical concerns like the quality of light, the pose, and the use of a high quality camera with a pro lens. Don’t settle when it comes to creating an image that will present you at your best.

Look at the work of the photographer you are interested in and make sure their headshots capture people in a natural, relaxed way. An image that doesn’t detract from the individual and shows the individual in their best light is a good sign that the photographer has the skill required to capture you well. 

Below are some headshots I have taken at various locations and for a variety of professionals, from therapists to coaches to corporate employees.