"Current photo" -- Ugh

NorthernLight

NorthernLight

Well-known Member
Location
Northern BC
I joined a local board. Now they ask for a short bio and "current photo" for the website. I just want to serve my community, and I wasn't expecting this.

I look like an old woman, what else? I can't make my hair look decent, and I've given up on makeup. I look terrible in photos.

One of the other board members has a long-distance shot of himself standing in front of a huge landmark. He isn't even recognizable. Another has a medium-distance action shot, and she isn’t recognizable either.

So I think providing an out-of-date photo of myself is fair. The date is on it (it's from an old driver's licence), so it isn't really misleading. And it's more interesting than the typical mug shot, because it implies that I've been overseas.

This is the photo I'd like to provide. What do you think? Thank you.
Resize_20220921_163429_9831.jpg
 

Thank you all for the likes and the positive comments. I'm still wondering if a non-current photo would be considered acceptable.

When I lost weight, people wanted to see a "before" photo of me. I said, "I looked like a fat lady."

Now I look like an old lady. Why would I want to post a photo of me as an old lady? Yes, I have a casual photo (of me in my pajamas) as my forum avatar, but I'd think they'd want something nicer for the organization's website. I just don't see me coming up with a nice photo now. Ever. Unless I hired a makeup artist, etc.
 
Thank you for your kind words, @Alligatorob . Some kind of vanity I guess. The upshot is, I just don't want to provide a current photo.

If I were really motivated, I'd do it. Hairdresser, professional photog, the works. Maybe if I were applying for a fantastic job. Or on the cover of TIME. But for a volunteer position? No.
 
Your photo is lovely, as are you.

If you are on a board for any organization in your community, then folks who attend the board meetings with concerns will see you. It might be reassuring to them to view the same person with your bio as they see in print.

@NorthernLight , you are a good looking lady, a woman who presents herself with common sense, not frivolous, who uses good judgement. You don't need to enhance your looks if you aren't comfortable using makeup. Pull you hair back in a tidy bun, and I am sure you will be more than acceptable to your peers and the entire community.
You might even enjoy the challenge.
 
NorthernLight said:
Thank you all for the likes and the positive comments. I'm still wondering if a non-current photo would be considered acceptable.

When I lost weight, people wanted to see a "before" photo of me. I said, "I looked like a fat lady."

Now I look like an old lady. Why would I want to post a photo of me as an old lady? Yes, I have a casual photo (of me in my pajamas) as my forum avatar, but I'd think they'd want something nicer for the organization's website. I just don't see me coming up with a nice photo now. Ever. Unless I hired a makeup artist, etc.
Click to expand...
You're very attractive, and I think you should stop putting yourself down by calling yourself an old lady. Embrace your age and be proud of it, I'm an old lady too. I'm not one for posting photos anywhere, but if I were in a situation like you are, I would probably have someone take a photo of me outdoors in a natural setting, not too close, that always looks nice.

PS: just saw the photo of you by Pink Biz and I think it's fantastic~
 
SeaBreeze said:
You're very attractive, and I think you should stop putting yourself down by calling yourself an old lady. Embrace your age and be proud of it, I'm an old lady too. I'm not one for posting photos anywhere, but if I were in a situation like you are, I would probably have someone take a photo of me outdoors in a natural setting, not too close, that always looks nice.

PS: just saw the photo of you by Pink Biz and I think it's fantastic~
Click to expand...
Aw, thank you. Unfortunately, I don't have "someone" to take a photo of me. Also, I really hate getting my photo taken, and one photo has to last me 20 years.

The adjustment by @Pink Biz is nice, but the whole point of my using that off-kilter shot was to provide context: This photo was taken a long time ago and far away. But maybe no one would "get" it.
 
I like both photos of you, :) ...
younger than you are now, and older than you were then ☺️

and I think it's important for you to do something that you are comfortable doing.
(And my thought is that if you told them you didn't have one, one of them would take one of you, ready or not, and they'd use that one, that was not one you chose or were comfortable with. So it's better to choose from your own?)

Perhaps the actual reason they want one, is for people to be able to recognize you when they see you, so they can connect you with whatever you choose to say in your bio. Not because they think you should look perfect in some way.

Again, I like any of the pics of you. And think any of them would be fine.:)
I hope you enjoy the experience of being on the Board.
 
NorthernLight said:
The adjustment by @Pink Biz is nice, but the whole point of my using that off-kilter shot was to provide context: This photo was taken a long time ago and far away. But maybe no one would "get" it.
Click to expand...

Don‘t count on others getting it. Does your phone take selfies. Do it yourself and blur it a bit.

I really appreciate you not liking photos of yourself. I was looking at one of myself and my hairstyle today and thinking it wasn’t too bad. Then looking at my glasses, I realized I was at least 15 years younger.
 
Right Now said:
Your photo is lovely, as are you.

If you are on a board for any organization in your community, then folks who attend the board meetings with concerns will see you. It might be reassuring to them to view the same person with your bio as they see in print.

@NorthernLight , you are a good looking lady, a woman who presents herself with common sense, not frivolous, who uses good judgement. You don't need to enhance your looks if you aren't comfortable using makeup. Pull you hair back in a tidy bun, and I am sure you will be more than acceptable to your peers and the entire community.
You might even enjoy the challenge.
Click to expand...
Thank you. This is useful information (about being recognizable to members of the public who attend meetings). It didn't occur to me that photos had any purpose other than annoying the photee.

I wear a tidy bun (or try to) every day, but can't take a nice picture.

@Jules I'm not interested in photography, so I never thought of blurring. I can't find a blur feature on my editor, but I see there are ways to fool around with the photo (saturation, etc.).

Grr. Why is volunteer work always so weird?
 
What kind of volunteer position, if you are taking meals to someone's house they might feel much better seeing that your photo on the ID matches the person handing them food. Or maybe if someone at the volunteer location needs to open the door to let you in, it would be good for the picture to match. I think all your pictures are awesome, you look really pretty.
 
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