IF you choose photo, please get a professional job!!!  I really think no photo over the cheesy, department store "mug shot" picture.  they do no favors!!!

Shelly

Lonn Dugan said:

Go for the photo.  It helps people connect with you / remember you.

But like Shelly said, get a good one.

"Lonn has your new photo come in" Yet? ha ha ha

Vance Printing Service

Sharron, you would be surprised what a good photog can do with lighting and retouching.  Not changing you, just briging ou the best you there is!!  Take the opportunity to have a photog come and take some good photo's with the backdrop you want!!  Maybe a family portrait, and get some good shots that you can use for work as well.  Since you are just regular folks, wear regular folks clothes and plan it.  When mom and I had our shots done, we wore white shirts and jeans!!  We each brought a jacket as well to throw on.  But it is more approachable.  

Think big, then plan detail, and execute for the longterm!!  

Shelly

no!!  they can do it all digitally.  I had proofs back within a day or two.  Picked the ones I wanted, and then chose to get a a couple retouched with him.  That can take a couple of days to a week.  And he delivered them digitally and ready for me to upload.  I also got all the others and can go back and have those digitally retouched, if I want, at a later date.  it is a little more expensive, but if you saw my dept store pic compared to this one, holy cow!!  

I will tell you what else I did.  I made an app't to get my hair washed and blown out by a professional and apply makeup.  Didn't cost that much really, but the difference was dramatic compared to what I can do.  I just made an app't with the local good salon, told them what I was doing... and made my mom do it to.  Her pic is great!!  Of course, in real life no one believes that she is the age she is.... really!! and the pic just enhanced that.

LOL, I even have in my P/P manual that photos should all be professionally done, or at least done well.

Commercial practitioners typically do not include photo on business cards. I swim upstream, though and include mine.

I also think that if you are really, really not photogenic AT ALL, and some people are not, not for me to judge--then omit photo.

Make sure your photo is CURRENT. We've been around this block before. You are being 'auditioned' and 'cast' as if you were an actor.

If your photo does not look ANYTHING like you do, there may be a disconnect in your prospective's mind. On a very subtle level--and they may again very subtly, even subconsciously, question your credibility.

Just to weigh in on the photo discussion - I hate photos.  I can't stand to sit for photos and for some reason, I can't seem to smile in a photo with my teeth showing (everyone who sees my photos, whether it be professional or family gathering says the same thing..."why don't you show your teeth???"  Don't know why, but it's just not the way I smile. I switched brokerages a few months ago and opted that my new business cards would not have a photo  - I think it was a bad move, because after some feedback found that people like to know and remember who they are dealing with.  When they are communicating on line by email or making a phone call, they like to know "who" you are.  I don't think being photogentic matters that much, but I do think people are more comfortable knowing who they are talking with.  So I did just order and received updated business cards with my photo on it...the old ones I'll use for the various conference, seminars etc. drawings to win something (LOL), but for now on the photo stays.  On another note, I've been trying for the past 2 years to get up the nerve to have a photo taken so that I can apply for a passport.  The only reason that I haven't applied yet, is that I just don't want to have the photo taken.  How stupid is that?  

Sharron, I am going to Art Direct you to death!!!  Get creative:  bring props.  How about you guys dressed in jeans and black turtlenecks with the view of the mountains turning for the fall season behind you.  Bring a white step ladder and have you stand on  it, while he is standing beside it?  different.... and could have a point of view!!  

We step it up for you!!  

reaching new heights in the GA . Mountains!!  

Moving up?  Let us help!!!  

See?  Have fun and it won't be drudgery.  Do everything possible to get a good picture.  

Sharron, your tall hubby can be seated while you stand, also. There is a couple locally where HE is much shorter than she, and they have nice 'a deux' photos taken.

how about using a shield like mine? :-)

but seriously, I'd say use a photo ... you want people to remember you and it's a lot easier when they have your picture business card than one with just a name. I would use one that's either professionally taken or really nice ... don't think that pets, kids, etc. are appropriate for business cards, mailings, etc.

Think outside the box!

Be different from ALL other Realtors!

Use a CURRENT photo! ;-)

No lie, Bill . . . LOL

Bill, we gave you good ideas on your photo, remember?  show the kilt... show whats under the kilt.... you ignored us!!!  Why?

I KNOW! That kilt is money, as Radley would say . . . haven't seen what's under it and will therefore reserve judgment prior. ;)

Trying to get a pic of Bill in his kilt as become an obsession with me and he knows it!  He just keeps teasing me.....

Didn't he have some with the Scotland pics? They're in a post somewhere . . . ?

Sharron!!!  NO!!!  you do not look like a poodle and will not pass for one when showing homes : ) but you are cute!!!

LOL Sharron that is funny . . . let me tell you Lunie Toonie has made me some sales. And just so you know, that pic was taken in July 07. Lunie is fatter now so we will soon have to update . . .

I'll go against the crowd. I don't have my pic on my card and don't want it on my card.  My agents can choose to put their pic on their card or not.  Can't say I've lost business or gained business.  BUT I'm not in an area where I have to compete with thousands and thousands of other brokers/agents either.

I'm putting a lighthouse on mine.

what a "bright" idea Greg.  You are the beacon of enlightenment.

LOL well Sharron I have talked to her about dieting and she won't have it. Told her her contract calls for a certain collar size like when you work at Disneyland. She flipped me the bird! A very willful young woman, that one . . .

Gregory you should put a lighthouse on yours. Or a pic of Alice C. That would get you business in AZ. Maybe I'll try it!

Always have a photo on the card.  In this day and age it is good that they know what you look like and start the relationship on a positive note.  Most important don't forget the website address.

This is an easy one, Sharron.  Dump Steve and just put your photo on the card. LOL  (just kidding of course... husband/wife teams ROCK!!!!)

I don't have my picture on my card. I don't know if this is the way to go, just the way i chose.

Sharron put your pictures on the cards but don't worry about getting the mountains in the background, use the mountains as the background.  I am sure you have seen the cards with a beach or house or ??? as the background.  That way you won't have to worry about your pictures being to far away.  Marcia and I chose the back to back pose to fit in the small box :)  There is a RE team in our old office that did a little something different, take a look at their picture - sorry I couldn't find it on a different local but just page down and you will see it.  http://tinyurl.com/2tkf7o

Jana