Why Missing Headshots Are Costing You Business (Even If You're Great at What You Do)

The Real Reason I Skipped Over Dozens of Providers (And What That Means for Your Business)

A few weeks ago, I found myself deep in the trenches of my health insurance provider directory, looking for a specialist for my daughter. I wasn’t being picky at all, I just wanted someone competent, nearby, and available. But as I scrolled through page after page of listings, I noticed something frustrating.

Almost none of the providers had a profile photo. 

Most of them listed their name, specialty, maybe a medical school, their location, and insurance affiliations.  But most of them had no face, no photo, and no connection. 

So I skipped over most of them.  I needed to see who I was sending my daughter to.  And that photo was the first step in finding her the help that she needed.  It wasn’t a conscious thing at first, but when I found myself hitting “Next” over and over, I realized what I was doing.  Without a face, there was no connection.  I wasn’t going to take a chance on someone who couldn’t bother to take the time to introduce themselves visually.

And that’s when it hit me: this is what happens to business owners every day when they leave off a professional image on referral and directory sites.

People Want to See Who They’re Working With

Whether you're a therapist, photographer, real estate agent, consultant, coach, or creative, people aren’t just buying your service; they are choosing you. If you're showing up on directories like:

• Healthgrades
• Psychology Today
• Houzz
• Alignable
• Upwork
• Expertise
• Google Business
• LinkedIn

…you need to understand this: a profile without a photo is a profile most people will skip right past.  Unless you are doing it solely for the links back to your site, you are probably wasting your time and energy.

We are wired to connect with faces. A clean, professional, approachable portrait makes you feel more trustworthy.

Why This Matters for Your Bottom Line

Here’s the truth:
  -  You can be the most qualified person in your field.
  -  You can have glowing reviews.
  -  You can even be the best at what you do.

But if your listing doesn’t show your face, you’ll be skipped over by people who are trying to hire you for what you do best.  But they won’t even bother reaching out because they don’t feel a connection with you.

People want to work with someone they feel they can trust. Someone who looks confident, warm, and relatable. That’s human psychology and marketing 101.

This Is an Easy Fix

The good news? It’s easy to stand out.
Most people don’t take the time to upload a professional image.  

Which means if you do, you immediately rise above the rest.

If You’re in Business, Any Business, Your Face Is the Brand

And if you’re in the Vienna, VA or greater DMV area and need a headshot that makes you look like the pro you are, I can help. I specialize in creating images that are polished, authentic, and tailored for exactly the kinds of platforms where people make their first decisions about who to trust.

Don’t let an empty profile picture cost you opportunities.

Final Thought

That provider I chose for my daughter? Well, it boiled down to more than just the profile image, BUT the image was the piece of the puzzle I needed to start the conversation with those I considered for the job. It was the thing that got their foot in the door.

Don’t underestimate the power of showing up. Your next client is waiting to connect with you. But first, they need to see you.