Are you ready if someone were to ask, "Send me your profile photo"?

When was the last time you updated your profile photo?

Whether it's a request from a web developer working on your website, a graphic designer rebranding your business, or a marketing manager who knows that your personal brand could drive this year’s profits, having a current and professional profile photo can make a huge difference.

PR and speaking opportunities can be difficult to crack and when they come knocking, you want to be ready with a profile photo you're confident seeing on the big screen or forever etched in print publications.

If you haven’t refreshed yours in a while, you may find that it no longer represents who you are today—especially when connecting on LinkedIn or meeting clients in person.

Here are six things my clients have shared with me that told them it was time for a new profile photo. Can you relate to any of these?

6. "I wonder if the client I'm meeting at the cafe will recognise me from my profile photo?"

I'm starting with my own personal reason. I always refer to a LinkedIn profile or check their 'about us' web page before meeting, so I know who to look for. Do you do this too?

5. "Clients arrive at our office and when I greet them, they ask for me. I have my photo on my email signature".

Well that's awkward! A hair colour change and 2 years had transformed Georgia's look.

Have you had a hair change or sporting a 'bald' new look since your last profile photo?

4. "I'm glad you're here, I look like a baby in my old photo"

This is more common than you think! Generally the younger generation who aren't confident they are taken seriously.

There are ways of body and head positioning for a profile photo to read more professional and confident.

I love revisiting staff who mature and grow into their careers, it's amazing how it changes their physical appearance and body language, always in the best possible way.

A good head shot photographer will be able to direct you to achieve a professional confident profile photo

5. "I had someone say to me I need a photo wearing my glasses and my last profile photo I'm wearing a jacket. I never wear a jacket!"

"With glasses or without" is a common query at head shots. My question to help answer that is, would people likely recognise you in public with or without them?

Are you finding you rely on wearing your glasses to networking events or client meetings more often?

"Jacket on or off", is the same consideration. Do you wear a jacket to networking and client meetings?

Match your attire to how you would show up in person, on your best day.

6. "I've just had a speaking opportunity come up, how soon can I get my profile photo done?"

How do you tell if you're profile photo is outdated?

It's amazing how much traction uploading a new profile photo can gain on social media, personal brands will often update their profile photo at least every year.

Keeping your brand current and relevant is as simple as a fresh profile photo.

Check your profile photo now. Has there been a physical change; looking bigger, better, more mature, smaller or younger. New glasses, no glasses, new hair do, jacket on or jacket off or looking a few years wiser.

Anytime you start to feel different about how look in your profile photo, no matter if you feel for better or for worse...

It's time for a new one.

If now doesn't feel like the right time, remember, no one else is judging you or profile photo like you are, you can read about it here...