5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Headshot

1. It’s More Than Two Years Old 
Let’s start with the obvious: time matters. If your headshot is older than two years, chances are your appearance and professional identity have shifted. Maybe you’ve changed your hairstyle or started wearing glasses. Perhaps you’ve grown into your confidence or developed a clearer sense of your personal brand. 

Even subtle changes in your expression, posture, or energy can create a disconnect between who you are and what your headshot is projecting.
Why it matters: When clients, hiring managers, or collaborators meet you in person and you look nothing like your profile photo, it creates confusion and can even erode trust. A modern headshot shows that you’re active, intentional, and invested in how you present yourself. 

Pro tip: A refreshed headshot every 1–2 years keeps your personal brand aligned with your current reality. 

2. Your Career Has Leveled Up (and Your Image Hasn’t)
We love a good glow-up—and career-wise, you’ve probably had one. Whether you’ve landed a promotion, launched a business, changed industries, or started building a thought leadership presence, your visual branding needs to reflect this evolution. If your current headshot screams “entry-level” or looks like it was taken at a company job fair ten years ago, it’s time to upgrade. Your new role or direction likely comes with a different set of expectations and requires a look that exudes leadership, clarity, and polish. 

Example: A creative entrepreneur might want a more relaxed, lifestyle feel. A corporate executive may need something more refined and authoritative. Either way, your image should speak to where you are now—not where you were then. 

3. You Don’t Feel Like You in Your Photo
This is a big one. You know that awkward photo where your smile feels forced, your body looks tense, and your eyes seem… not quite alive? If that’s what you’re working with, you’re not alone—and you deserve better. A great headshot should capture your essence. It should reflect your personality, warmth, confidence, and approachability. If your current image makes you cringe, it’s time for a do-over. 

A professional headshot experience should feel empowering, not stressful—and we’re known for helping even the most camera-shy clients feel completely at ease. What we hear all the time: “I really like my images and that actually was fun.” 

4. The Style Feels Outdated or Off-Brand
Photography styles change over time. That soft, shadow-heavy look from 2010? It’s probably not doing you any favors in today’s crisp, clean, high-definition world. If your headshot feels like it belongs to another era—or worse, another person—it could be working against you. This goes for more than just the photo itself. Your wardrobe, background, and even posing should align with your current brand. Maybe you’ve become more minimalist, more modern, more bold—or you want to show up as more approachable and relatable.

Fun fact: We guide you through every detail—from what to wear to what vibe fits your goals best. No guesswork required. 

5. You’re Getting More Visibility and Need Consistency
If you’ve started speaking at events, growing your social media presence, launching a podcast, or landing press features—first of all, go you! Second, now’s the time to create consistency across your platforms. Using random, mismatched photos across your website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and email signature sends a scattered message. But when your visual presence is aligned and intentional, people instantly recognize you—and that builds trust. It should be versatile, high-quality, and ready to represent you!

Bonus idea: Consider a short personal branding session that includes headshots and lifestyle images to give you a full content library for your brand. Fill up your social media calendar with ease!