Is It Time to Update Your Headshots?

Here’s a small test. Pull up your current headshot — the one on your LinkedIn, your firm’s directory, your website. Now look in a mirror.

Do they still match?

For a lot of accomplished people, the honest answer is not really. The photo is a few years and one whole chapter old. Maybe the haircut’s different now, maybe the glasses are, maybe the job is. And every time you send that link or hand over that bio, a tiny part of you winces, because the person in the photo isn’t quite the person who’s going to show up to the meeting.

I’m Erica Land, a Rockville-based portrait photographer, and after twenty years of photographing professionals from Bethesda to DC to McLean, I can tell you: an outdated headshot quietly costs you more than you think. Let’s talk about when it’s time to refresh, and what a good update actually looks like.

First, the difference between a headshot and branding photography

These two get used interchangeably, but they do different jobs, and knowing which you need saves you time.

A headshot is all about you — a clean, classic portrait, usually from the shoulders up, focused on your face and expression. It’s what you want for a professional profile, a resume, a firm directory, a speaker bio: the single strong image that puts your best face forward.

Branding photography goes wider. It captures your personality, your story, and your brand identity — you in your workspace, you in action, the details that show what you do and what you stand for. Where a headshot answers who is this person, branding photography answers what is it like to work with them. Most professionals end up wanting some of both. A great headshot anchors your profile; branding images fill out your website, your social feeds, and your marketing with texture.

Signs it’s time for an update

If a few of these ring true, you’re due:

• Your photo is more than two or three years old. Trends aside, you’ve changed — and people notice when the photo and the person don’t line up.
• You changed something visible. New hair, new glasses, a different everyday style. If someone might not recognize you from your photo in a lobby, that’s your sign.
• You have a new role, title, or business. A promotion, a pivot, a launch — a fresh image marks the moment and signals the new chapter.
• You rebranded. If your website colors, logo, and message got an update but your photo didn’t, the mismatch shows.
• You’re going after bigger clients. When you level up who you’re pitching, your image has to keep pace. A dated photo can undercut an otherwise strong pitch.
• Your photos don’t match each other. A different-era shot on every platform reads as scattered. Consistent, current images across the board read as trustworthy.

None of this is about chasing perfection. It’s about your image telling the truth about where you are right now.

Where your clients work — and where we’ll shoot

Part of what makes professional images land is that they feel like your world. Your clients live and work across the DC metro, so your photos should too.

Most updates start in my Rockville studio, where we control the light for a clean, timeless headshot. From there, we can go on location wherever your brand lives: the busy professional corridors around K Street and downtown DC for consultants, attorneys, and association leaders; Bethesda Row for that walkable, upscale feel; or the McLean and Tysons corridor for executives who want their office world in the frame. Your own workplace is often the best backdrop of all — nothing says what you do like the room where you do it.

What to wear when you update

Wardrobe is where people overthink, so keep it simple.

Stick to classic, timeless pieces in solid colors that make you feel confident, and make sure everything fits well — nothing too tight or too baggy. Skip loud patterns and visible logos so the focus stays on your face. Professional hair and makeup aren’t required, but many people feel more polished and at ease with them, and that ease shows in every frame. If you’d like recommendations for artists in the area, just ask — I’m happy to point you to people I trust.

A refresh is worth it

An updated image does something quietly powerful: it lets you stop apologizing for your photo. You send the link without wincing. You show up in the search result looking like yourself, now. And the right people meet a current, confident version of you before you’ve said a word.

Helping you feel that way — genuinely seen, exactly as you are today — is the whole reason I do this work.

When you’re ready, book a session and let’s bring your image up to date. See more of my headshot and branding work here, and a little about me and my why here.

Serving professionals in Rockville, Bethesda, Washington, DC, McLean, North Bethesda, Vienna, and across the DC metro area.

Updating your headshots FAQ

How often should I update my headshots?
A good rule is every two to three years, or sooner if your look, role, or brand changes. If you’d hesitate to hand someone your current photo, it’s time.

Do I need a headshot, branding photography, or both?
A headshot is the clean profile portrait; branding photography is the wider set that tells your story. Many professionals want a strong headshot plus a handful of branding images — we’ll decide based on where your photos need to work.

Where do you photograph sessions?
In my Rockville studio and on location around the DC metro — downtown DC and K Street, Bethesda Row, the McLean and Tysons corridor, or your own office.

What should I wear for an updated headshot?
Classic, well-fitting pieces in solid colors, no loud patterns or logos. Bring a couple of options and I’ll help you choose. Professional hair and makeup are optional but can help you feel your best.

How soon will I get my updated images?
You’ll receive a curated online gallery within two to three weeks, professionally retouched and sized for your website, LinkedIn, and print.