If your current headshot still looks like you, do you really need a new one?
It's a fair question—and one we hear surprisingly often. The answer isn't always about how old the photo is. It's about whether it still represents who you are today. Whether you're a business professional, executive, entrepreneur, actor, or someone simply wanting to make a strong first impression, your professional headshot is often the very first introduction people have to you. Before they've read your biography, visited your website, or spoken to you, they've already formed an opinion based on a single image.
Fair or unfair, that's simply how we're wired.
Your headshot is working—even when you're not.
Think about where people might find you.
* Your company website
* A Google search
* Your Google Business Profile
* Social media
* A conference speaker profile
* A business card
* An email signature
Your professional headshot is quietly introducing you long before you ever shake someone's hand. The question is... Is it introducing the person you are today?
It's probably time for a new headshot if...
You look noticeably different. Perhaps you've changed your hairstyle, grown or shaved a beard, wear glasses now, or simply look different than you did a few years ago. People expect your headshot to reflect the person they're actually going to meet.
Your role has changed. Maybe you've been promoted, started a business, changed industries, or stepped into leadership. Your professional image should evolve with your career.
Your photo no longer reflects your brand. A relaxed, approachable realtor sends a different message than a corporate lawyer. A creative entrepreneur presents differently than a financial advisor. A healthcare professional communicates differently than an executive. One style doesn't suit everyone because every profession - and every person - is different.
Your current photo feels... dated. Photography styles evolve. So do clothing, lighting, backgrounds, and editing. A business headshot from eight or ten years ago might still be a great photograph, but it may no longer communicate the image you want people to see today.
Or perhaps the simplest reason of all... You don't like using it anymore. If you're constantly cropping it, avoiding it, or apologising for it, that's usually your answer.
A great professional headshot isn't about looking perfect.
One of the biggest misconceptions about professional photography is that it's about creating a perfect version of yourself. We don't believe that. The best headshots aren't the ones that make you look like someone else. They're the ones where people say,
"That's exactly you."
Confident.
Approachable.
Professional.
Authentic.
That's what people connect with.
One of our favourite success stories is a friend who absolutely hated having her photo taken. She'd avoid the camera whenever she could because she never liked the way she looked in photographs. After finally agreeing to a session with Hayley, something changed. With a relaxed environment, gentle guidance, and a few laughs, she stopped worrying about the camera and simply became herself. Today, that portrait is proudly displayed in her living room. She often tells people it's the best photograph ever taken of her. That's why we do what we do. It's never been about making people look perfect. It's about creating photographs that feel authentic—images you're genuinely proud to see every day.
Whether it's a LinkedIn headshot, a corporate profile, or a personal branding portrait, authenticity builds trust far more effectively than perfection ever will.
What makes a great headshot?
It isn't expensive camera equipment. It isn't a trendy background. It isn't heavy editing.
A great professional headshot should:
* Look natural.
* Feel genuine.
* Match your profession and personality.
* Build trust.
* Reflect your personal brand.
* Give people confidence before they've even met you.
When those things come together, your photograph starts working for you instead of simply existing online.
How often should you update your headshot?
There isn't a universal rule, but for most professionals, updating your headshot every **two to three years** is a good guideline. You may want to update it sooner if:
* Your appearance has changed.
* You've changed careers or roles.
* You're rebranding your business.
* Your company has refreshed its website or marketing.
* You're becoming more active on LinkedIn.
* You're speaking at conferences or networking events.
* You're launching a new business or website.
Think of your headshot the same way you think about your résumé, website, or LinkedIn profile. If one has been updated but the others haven't, your professional image can quickly become inconsistent.
Choosing the right headshot photographer
A great headshot isn't created by the camera. It's created by the experience. The right photographer will help you feel comfortable, guide you naturally, understand your goals, and create images that genuinely represent who you are. That's especially important if you've ever said, "I'm not photogenic." Trust us—you wouldn't be the first.
Our approach at Not Normal Photography
At Not Normal Photography in Langley, BC, we believe every person deserves a photograph that feels authentic. Whether we're creating professional headshots for executives, LinkedIn profiles for job seekers, corporate team photography, or personal branding images for entrepreneurs across Langley and the Fraser Valley, our goal is always the same. To create photographs that feel like you. We'll guide you through the entire session, help with posing, make the small adjustments that make a big difference, and create a relaxed environment where your personality can shine. Because the best photographs don't just show what you look like. They show people who you are.
Final thoughts
Your headshot isn't just another photograph. It's often your handshake before the handshake. If it still represents you well, keep using it with confidence. But if you've grown, changed, or simply want your professional image to reflect the person you've become, it might be time for an update. And when that time comes, we'd be honoured to help you create a professional headshot that feels authentic, confident, and unmistakably you.
