Our business photos

"How often should I update my business photo?"

In today’s world, business photos are used on a daily basis. In less digital times, people usually got their picture taken only when applying for a new job. In modern professional careers, however, the role of a photo has completely changed. While its importance is decreasing on CVs and job applications (depending on the country), many individuals build online profiles—either on professional networks or within their own organization. The picture often serves as a digital business card or gives the very first impression of who you are.

This being said, its usage has shifted from a one-time event (applying for a job) to a frequent occurrence (your daily appearance on the internet or intranet). Generally speaking: the higher the visibility, the more relevant the age of the photo becomes.

Too often, I notice colleagues sticking with a very, very, very old photo—out of comfort, or perhaps because they think they haven’t changed that much.

Trust me—we all change. Whether we notice it or not.

The visual difference between a 5- and a 10-year-old might be bigger, but even at 35, we don’t look like our 30-year-old self. And the same holds true for any age.

In a professional context, I believe the photo representing us to internal colleagues or external clients should ideally be younger than three years—and certainly never older than five.

Keeping a ten- or even twenty-year-old photo simply feels unprofessional.

On top of that, if you make any major changes to your appearance—like drastically different glasses, or a completely new haircut or color—it’s time for a new picture anyway.

The ultimate goal is to be recognized. Keep that in mind.