PROFILE PICTURES: The Good. The Bad. The Ugly. The @RICH.

I am building a new website and I was thinking about my profile and about me pics.

I ask @RICH. for advice.

"The majority of About Me pics. look like the subject was facing a firing squad and they'd just have to grin-and-bear it, either that or they've escaped from a maximum security home for the terminally bewildered and their only priority was to find and clutch the nearest flea-infested stray. I suppose those are better than being presented with a webcam shot or a quick selfie taken with a decrepit phone in a lavatory mirror."

Hmmm. I see @RICH.'s profile pic I am always asking myself, Is he ugly? Does he look like a maniac? I have a lot of questions about the Celebrated Cork! I am sure I am not alone in this!

I send him some pics. to look at.

"Useless. Why would a pic. of some guy drooling or clutching a sackful of donuts wobbling about on an escalator inspire me with confidence?."

Come on! Donuts are very delicious, that's the reason I am smiling! I want visitors to make a connection with someone who is a real human not a robot or a cork.

I go back and tell @RICH. the Kyle and Carson pics. are casual.

"Kyle and Carson are Canadians, they think plaid polyester is smart."

I tell him I'm not Canadian or from UK, I am Salvadorean!

"OK, why not go the whole hog and hug a mule as well, or simply do a Luke?"

@RICH. thinks El Salvador is a country of mules but he is wrong, but is he right about profile pics?

What about other profiles like Super Star Steve (@IveTriedThat)? Well, I am not going to talk about that, because he always calls me Frank not Jorge, and he has a new pic. in his profile and Beverley (@BIS) commented to him: "Well you kind of look like an old 1960s Action Man toy".

Hmmm.

I first think you must be natural, be yourself, then I think the pic is very important in my business because I must build a relationship of trust with my customers. I am in business and my site is a business site, will I create confidence with my visitors? I worry now my face will be on my site, on my authorship, on my comments, on my social networks, I will be everywhere.

It is why I decide to go and get a professional pic. taken.

The photo session was at Foto Estudio El Salvador which was recommended by friends. When I was at the studio I was nervous because I didn't know what to do! I was thinking, "How's my pose? Do I have pimple on my cheek? What about my hair?". I thought it would be a disaster because I think photos of myself are a disaster, but I really enjoyed it. The photo session was very funny and the best pics. ever taken of me.

I also managed to get my Mother in some photos but don't tell @RICH. as I love those photos best. :)

I made the right decision for my site but what do you think about profile pics?

Jorge